Featuring Cowboys & Indians as Presenting Sponsor, 130 Juried Artisans from 28 States, a Couture Fashion Show, and an Immersive Designer Showhouse
Bozeman, Montana – After more than three decades in Cody and Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the Western Design Conference (WDC) will relocate its celebrated Exhibit + Sale to the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, August 6–9, 2026, marking a new chapter for one of the nation’s most respected showcases of contemporary Western design. Presented by Cowboys & Indians magazine, the 34th annual event will feature a record 130 juried artisans, designers, and makers representing 28 states, alongside an expanded program that includes a couture fashion show, an immersive Designer Showhouse, and a series of panels by nationally recognized voices in architecture, design, and the arts.
For more than thirty years, the Western Design Conference has served as a destination for collectors, designers, and patrons seeking museum-caliber work rooted in the evolving traditions of the American West. Relocating to Bozeman allows the event to grow in both scale and ambition while maintaining its defining character: a curated marketplace of exceptional craftsmanship spanning fashion, jewelry, fine art, furniture, leather, metalwork, and interior design.
“The move to downtown Bozeman allows us to create a more dynamic and accessible experience for exhibitors and attendees alike, while preserving what has always set WDC apart: a direct connection between makers and collectors, with no commissions, and a legacy that has defined the Western Design Conference for more than thirty years.”
The WDC opens Thursday, August 6, with its signature Preview Party, Western Couture Fashion Show, and Auction – an evening that has long set the tone for the event. With live music, food, cocktails, and first access to exhibitor collections, the Preview Party remains one of the most sought-after tickets of the season, drawing collectors and design enthusiasts from across the country.
A defining feature of the 2026 event is the Designer Showhouse, a full-scale installation constructed on the show floor that transforms the Exhibit + Sale into a fully curated home environment. Featuring six designed rooms, two porches, a dramatic 40-foot hallway, and an intersecting breezeway, the Showhouse brings together leading interior designers and artisans to create immersive spaces that range from historically grounded interiors to the clean, sculptural lines of the modern West—offering collectors a rare opportunity to experience how individual works live within a cohesive design vision.
Throughout the four-day event, a robust schedule of panels and conversations will bring together leaders from architecture, interior design, fashion, and fine art. Programming will also highlight both the historical significance and contemporary contributions artists and makers, with participation from partners including Cowboys & Indians, the Museum of the Rockies, and Montana State University.
The Western Design Conference continues to grow with the support of a distinguished network of national and regional partners, including WRJ Design, Kibler & Kirch, JLF Architects, Pearson Design Group, CLB Architects, Montana Reclaimed Lumber, Planning Alternatives, ICON Bunks, and others committed to advancing Western craftsmanship and culture. Over $20,000 is awarded annually for design excellence.
The Exhibit + Sale continues August 7–9, where attendees can meet the makers and acquire one-of-a-kind works directly from the country’s leading Western artists and designers at all price points. The event remains one of the few of its kind to offer a commission-free model, reinforcing its role as a direct connection between creator and collector.
Tickets for the Preview Party, Fashion Show, and Exhibit + Sale are now available.
Tickets and event details:
https://westerndesignconference.com/
About the Western Design Conference
The Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale celebrates more than three decades of design excellence, bringing together artists, collectors, architects, interior designers, and patrons who share a passion for the evolving story of the American West. The juried exhibition showcases one-of-a-kind handcrafted works, offering a rare opportunity to meet the makers and collect museum-quality craftsmanship.
