Day One
Jackson, Wyoming is known as a leading cultural center in the Western U.S., joining the ranks of such arts communities as San Francisco, Scottsdale and Santa Fe. Its thriving arts community has contributed to making Jackson a desirable year-round destination. September is a great time to experience Jackson – a time when appreciation of the arts seems to reach its peak. After Labor Day, festivals abound, beginning with Arts for the Parks, a national art competition featuring national parks and monuments. Samplings of the artists’ works can be found throughout the area including Grand Teton National Park. The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival (Sept 7-16, 2007) showcases the visual, performing and culinary arts, as well as folk arts and Native American arts of the Rocky Mountain West. Artists’ demonstrations, special exhibits, a concert, QuickDraw competition, and commemorative poster signings are just some of the activities in the festival. The Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival features film competitions, seminars and screenings of featured entries.
Day Two
Plan to spend the day browsing through the more than 30 fine art galleries and art retail shops. A gallery walk in the historic, Western-style town square area is the best way to accomplish this goal. End the afternoon with a tour of the National Museum of Wildlife Art, nestled into a hillside, high above the National Elk Refuge, across from the Gros Ventre (pronounced Grow Vahnt) mountains, three miles north of the town square. Arrange for a wine tasting in this incredible setting before heading back into town. Jackson’s culinary arts community is always ready to impress the hungry visitor. This evening, intimate groups of 4 - 6 diners are encouraged to relax and enjoy a leisurely dine-around to sample the variety of Jackson’s cuisine. Award-winning restaurants can be found within walking distance of the Square.
Day Three
The early morning sunrise reflects a pink cast on the spectacular Teton Mountains. The scenic beauty and the serenity of this area contributes to the reason many artists have decided to make Jackson Hole their home. Spend the day in small groups participating in a few exclusive tours of the studios, and see their works from the artist’s perspective. Save time this afternoon for shopping in some of the many boutiques that ring the center of town. This evening, sample the talents of the Jackson Hole Performing Arts Company at the Pink Garter Mainstage Theater or enjoy a performance at the Jackson Hole Playhouse.
Powwow is the steady thump of beaters on a hide-covered drum, a cadence of mixed voices singing in Arapaho, Shoshone, Crow, or Lakota, and the sweep and swirl of men and boys wearing brightly colored regalia, of young girls with fringed shawls, older women dressed in buckskin, even tiny tots in beaded moccasins and creamy white buckskin outfits. Begun as a ritual gathering of spiritual leaders and medicine men, powwow is now a social event. read more
Born out of long, lonely rides out on the range and nights spent together around flickering campfires, the art of cowboy poetry continues to thrive in Wyoming with a number events throughout the year. read more
