Western Design Exhibit + Sale Showcases Old and New West in Jackson Hole
September event unites buyers and artists in spectacularly scenic Wyoming destination
The 26th annual Western Design Exhibit + Sale returns to the Snow King Center in Jackson Hole on September 6 (left). The popular Opening Preview Party features a live runway “cowboy couture” fashion show (right).
Jackson Hole, Wyoming – February 26, 2018 – Few events embody the singular spirit of the West and its expressions of freedom, individuality, resourcefulness and aesthetics like the Western Design Exhibit + Sale in Jackson Hole, a 26-year tradition that will again bring buyers and artists face to face at Snow King Mountain in Jackson, Wyoming, Sept. 6-9, 2018.
With its commitment to showcasing the finest American contemporary craft offerings with a uniquely Western twist – from Old West cowboy references to fresh textile designs sourcing regional materials and techniques – this annual celebration of the region’s unique lifestyle and rich culture unites artists, collectors, interior designers, architects and fashion designers for four days inside the Snow King Center, located in the heart of Jackson, with the magnificent Tetons as backdrop. A signature event of the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival (to be held Sept. 5-16), the juried Exhibit + Sale will offer the more than 30,000 expected visitors to the area an exclusive opportunity to interact directly with craftspeople while perusing their work.
L to R: Designer Show House living room; Brian Boggs 2017 best-in-show “Slab in the Dark” table; last year’s award-winning elk antler candelabra by J. Booth Art.
The wildness and the calm beauty of the Old and New West have been captured in functional, museum-quality creations by this year’s juried artisans, who have conceived of everything from jewelry and clothing “art to wear” to beaded skulls and tiles of Kingman turquoise, along with Western-themed home furnishings and architectural design elements.
The event kicks off Thursday, Sept. 6, with the popular Opening Preview Party + Fashion Show from 6-10 p.m., where attendees get the first peek and opportunity to buy direct at distinctive creations of every price point from the more than 100 juried artists, as well as the chance to wander through the Designer Show House’s five exquisitely and professionally conceived rooms. Guests can revel in the Runway Fashion Show and snag a rare original work in the live WDC Auction, all while sampling local dishes from Café Genevieve along with specially crafted cocktails at the five open bars.
The Opening Preview Party’s exciting live fashion show of “wearable art,” always draws a fun crowd.
On Friday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m., more than $19,000 in design excellence awards will be presented in conjunction with sponsored cocktails and artisan chocolates. On Saturday, Sept. 8, a new shopping event, Christmas in September a part of the Western Design Benefit Night from 4-7 p.m., donates 10 percent of participating exhibitor sales to the Art Association of Jackson Hole.
Another bonus this year: daily Artitude Adjustment signature sponsored happy hours from 4 to close, Friday – Sunday, provide a chance to sip and socialize while shopping the phenomenal must-have offerings.
Tickets start at $15 for an Exhibit + Sale day pass; VIP entry and reserved seating at the Opening Preview Party + Fashion Show is available for $125 per person; $50 general admission. All tickets include open bars or daily happy hours.
About the Western Design Exhibit + Sale:
The 26th annual Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale is a four-day, multimillion-dollar event that brings together craftspeople, collectors, interior designers, architects and fashion designers with a love of the West. The Western Design Conference was founded 25 years ago in Cody, Wyo., as a way to promote contemporary artists working in historical American craft methods. The WDC Exhibit + Sale moved to Jackson in 2007; Allison Merritt continues the strong commitment to Western arts in Wyoming while expanding the reach of the show. Additional information on the WDC Exhibit + Sale, including schedules and tickets, is available at www.westerndesignconference.com and on Facebook and Twitter @WesternDesign.
Media Contact: Amy Stark, Word PR + Marketing, [email protected], 307.734.5335
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