Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts

09/11/2021

Join us next weekend - Due to rising Covid cases in Wallowa County and the new masks orders from the Oregon Health Authority, we will not be able to produce this year’s Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts as planned. We are making some adjustments that will keep people safe while still exhibiting, appreciating and selling the 95 pieces of artwork accepted and the 54 artists that deserve to be celebrated. In order to do this in the safest way possible, the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture will dial back many of the events for the weekend.
“The Big Night” – Friday night, September 17 from 7-8:30pm we will open our gallery for a viewing of the artwork. All attendees must wear masks and will need to follow the social distancing protocol. We will allow a limited number of people at a time to stay within the regulations. Unfortunately, there will be no libations, food or live music.
The Arts Festival will continue to hold a silent auction to help raise funds for future festivals. We also will hold the En Plein Competition exhibit on the 2nd floor of the Josephy Center.
On Saturday, September 18 the Josephy Center will open at 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Admission is free and there will be live music. There will also be an Art Walk in Joseph from 12-4pm. The extraordinary artist Steve Arment, will be doing a wood carving demonstration from 12-1:30 outside the Josephy Center.
We will continue to hold The Quick Draw event on Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. at the Mt. Joseph Lodge’s lawn (directly across from the Josephy Center). Artist complete their works and bidding takes place while artists create their pieces (90 minutes) at 3:30 p.m. All completed art will be for sale in a written auction format at each artists’ station. Bidding and artwork will be moved to the front of the hotel and bids will continue until 4 p.m. Masks and social distancing are required.
On Sunday, art viewing and silent auction bids will continue until 2 p.m. All purchased artwork can be picked up at that time. The festival will continue until 2 p.m. Unfortunately, Sunday’s Summer Arts Classic Concert has been cancelled due to safety protocols.
All artwork will be previewed and awarded by this year’s judge, Dennis DeHart. Dennis is a photographic artist whose interdisciplinary projects are informed by the connections, conflicts, and intersections of the natural and cultural worlds. He is a professor at Washington State University.
We appreciate your support.

Please contact Dawn Norman, Exhibits Director if you have any questions. Her email is [email protected], or call the Josephy Center at 541-432-0505.

07/30/2021

CALL TO ARTISTS - ART SUBMISSIONS due 08/01/21 by 10:59 p.m. PT - 39th Annual Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts
September 11-19, 2021
Josephy Center for Arts & CultureThe Wallowa Valley is truly a special spot on the map. Our breathtaking scenery captivates the heart, piques the imagination, and has a knack for unleashing the artist within us all. It’s not by coincidence, that this beloved corner of Oregon is renowned for its vibrant community of artists, its exquisite galleries, its numerous bronze foundries, and its “WOW-inducing” Main Street art installations. Whether you’re a local artist who has lived here most of your life, or you’ve never ventured quite this far out to the “End of the Road”, we encourage you to come and let yourself experience, anew, how this place will enchant and inspire you. And, while you’re at it, be sure to step out and play a bit…take advantage of the myriad outdoor recreation opportunities this area has to offer. And, what better time to explore Joseph and the Wallowas, than during colorfully placid September?! Some have even taken to calling it our fifth season – our “Season of Art”.
Extended En Plein Air Competition: Sept. 11 - 17
Fine Art Show & Silent Auction: Sept. 17-19
Summer Arts Classic Concert: Sept. 19
Submissions Open
Deadline: August 1

2021 Categories

Sculpture……………...Any Three-Dimensional Work in Wood, Clay, Stone, Bronze, or other Metal
Painting.…………….....Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor
Drawing.…………….....Pastel, Pencil, Graphite, Charcoal, Ink, or any combination thereof
Printmaking……….Woodblock, Engraving, Etching, Monoprint, Aquatint, Linotype, Lithography,
Silkscreen, or Digital Art Prints
Photography……...Any Photograph that begins with the capture of the image through a lens, including
Digitally-Altered Photography
Other……………….........Glass, Jewelry, Fiber Arts, Ceramics, or Mixed Media
Acceptance emails will be sent between August 9-13. Maximum 3 pieces. $30 entry fee.

A gathering place for the arts in Wallowa County

11/19/2020

09/24/2020

The FESTIVAL OF ARTS is live this month, including a silent auction of all the pieces at Josephy, discounted at up to 60%. Please enjoy our virtual exhibit (you can also go to the Josephy Center Mon-Sat), and support artists struggling to sell work during this difficult time. We're so very pleased with the amazing artists who submitted to our 38th annual event, despite not having our traditional celebration weekend this year.

A gathering place for the arts with events, exhibits & classes in Wallowa County

08/26/2020

Great video by our local chamber! (But shout-out to Enterprise, Lostine, Wallowa, Troy & Imnaha too....😎)

06/12/2020

**A statement for justice, compassion and an end to racial violence**

The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture & Wallowa Valley Arts Council joins millions of Americans in feeling deep sadness about the senseless death of George Floyd and uncertainty about the state of civil unrest in this country and around the world. We stand up against violence, hatred and bigotry of any kind and reach out with compassion and empathy to those who’ve endured racism.

We are committed to making positive changes toward greater diversity and inclusivity within our organizations and will do everything we can to protect human dignity, preserve human rights and act against systemic racism in Wallowa County. The Josephy Center will continue to fulfill our mission as a gathering place where everyone belongs— regardless of age, accomplishment, ethnicity, social or economic status. The Wallowa Valley Arts Council will focus more energy promoting the arts among black, brown and native communities who have been traditionally underserved in the Wallowas. We will continue to celebrate all cultures and provide a platform from which all voices can be heard and promote art, the global language through which all voices can be understood.

This moment in our nation’s history is an opportunity for reflection and ongoing conversation. We welcome your thoughts and ideas about what the Josephy Center & Arts Council can do to advance equality and assist healing in our community.

**Thistles print by Nancy Clarke**

09/29/2019

Announcement!

The Wallowa Valley Arts Council is proud to announce its first ever "Patron Scholarship", offering TWO $600 scholarships to local, emerging artists intent on making non-traditional art in Wallowa County art community.

All art mediums are welcome to apply, although this scholarship particularly encourages those from non-visual mediums to submit an application. The deadline is Nov. 1.

To apply: https://josephy.org/wvac-scholarship

This scholarship is a celebration of our long-awaited **gasp** merger with the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture - happening at the end of 2019. We'll continue to serve all our programs, while hoping to bring back some old ones, within this exciting new partnership. We'll have more information about the merger in the near future, and look forward to combining our powers with such a great arts organization.

09/05/2019

Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts Schedule http://p0.vresp.com/47JlgP