Category: All Mediums

Bloodlines: Nez Perce Art

The title of this exciting exhibit refers to the continuity of Native culture. The art work ranges from purely traditional weaving and beading to contemporary paintings and a new bronze from Doug Hyde. Dug did the wonderful bronze and granite sculpture, “Return,” which stands in the Josephy Center courtyard. The new piece depicts a Nez Perce woman warrior.

Phil Cash Cash, who recently curated the Indigenous Sasquatch show at the High Desert Museum in Bend has three paintings. And ten additional artists from the Nez Perce Reservation in Lapwai, Idaho and the Umatilla Reservation in Oregon are booked for the show. The art work is for sale, with the possibility of a few items that can be taken away on Saturday. Most items will remain part of the show until it ends on June 6.

Thanks to the Nez Perce Tribe for support, to curator Jordan Shawl of Nez Perce Tourism, to Jacy Sohappy of Crow’s Shadow and Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland, and to Stacia Morfin of Nez Perce Tourism for bringing the salmon, providing transportation for artists, and much more.

The show is presented by the Josephy Library of Western History and Culture.

Horizon Lines

Horizon Lines Theme Description 

This exhibit invited artists to explore the concept of horizons—both literal and metaphorical. Horizons can represent boundaries, possibilities, or the edge of the unknown. They symbolize distance, perspective, and the interplay between what is visible and what lies beyond.

We have 59 artists with 106 artworks!

Come enjoy everything from sweeping landscapes to personal journeys, abstract interpretations, and visions of the future. This theme encourages a broad range of creative expression. Whether you’re inspired by the physical world, the limits of perception, or the ever-changing line between here and there, we are excite to share this exhibit with you!

Curator

Silje Harlander is a multimedia artist, graphic designer, and former river guide. She grew up in Wallowa County and believes we have some of the coolest, strongest women and nonbinary people who are comfortable in women-focused spaces. She owns and operates Steep Creek Studio.

Wallowa Works

The Wallowa Works exhibit is a showcase of artwork that celebrates the unique essence of living and working in our beautiful county. This exhibit will run from January 11th – February 18th, 2025, offering a platform for a variety of artistic expressions that reflect the heart of Wallowa County.

Whether your focus is the agricultural roots, history, rugged landscapes, wildlife, community life, or the daily grind of local industries, artists and community members are invited to the opening reception!

About  the curator, Kirk Skovlin: “I’ve lived in Wallowa County for 24 years and have roots here that go back to 1872.  My ancestors moved here from Cove, bringing the first settler’s livestock with them. The recent years living and working on the 6 Ranch has given me lots of inspiration to capture ranch life imagery and beautiful landscapes. Through my art l strive to share my excitement about the beauty of this area l call home. Living on a cattle ranch there is no shortage of rural scenes with an abundance of wildlife and picturesque mountainous terrain. In my paintings and prints I try to create a feeling or mood that speaks to the viewer knowing how the ambient light plays a  part in the overall affect. When choosing the subject, my eye wants to see the landscape as it might have looked in a time prior to power lines, shiny buildings and modern equipment.  This ‘nostalgic filter’ reveals my strong sense of awareness and admiration of the tenacious men and women who carved out an existence with their calloused hands, using a small assortment of tools and a lot of know-how. Their hard work was their legacy and key to their survival. My art will always show that the spirit of hard work and care for the land still exists here today.”

Little Works: 2024

The Josephy Center for Arts & Culture is excited to announce its winter fundraiser, the “Little Works” Exhibition, where all proceeds will be dedicated to supporting the Youth Arts Program. This initiative aims to fund youth class scholarships, the Youth Art Festival, internships, alternative education art classes, and more.

The Little Works Exhibition will run from November 22th to December 19th, showcasing small works of art, each measuring 10 inches by 10 inches or less. All artworks featured in the exhibition will be priced at under $200. This event not only provides a platform for artists to display their talents but also serves as a means to raise vital funds for youth art programs.

We encourage art enthusiasts, collectors, and the community at large to participate in this meaningful exhibition, which not only celebrates the arts but also contributes to the nurturing of young artistic talent through the Youth Arts Program. Unlike typical exhibits, art purchased from the Little Works Exhibit may be taken home that day! A prime opportunity for unique and creative Christmas gifts!

Join us for the exhibition’s opening reception on Friday, 11/29, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. It will coincide with a Stocking Stuffer Black Friday Art Supply Sale, making it a perfect opportunity to support local artists and discover unique, affordable artwork.

2024 Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts

September 20-22, 2024; Joseph, Oregon
Opening Reception September 20 – 7 PM
Tickets Available Below!

Fine Art Show | En Plein Air Competition
Quick Draw | Silent Auction | Gallery Walk
Jazz Concert

Venue: Josephy Center for Arts and Culture (JCAC)

Judge: Karen Bakke

The 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.  What better time to explore Joseph and the Wallowas, than during the beautiful month of September?! Some have even taken to calling it our fifth season – our “Season of Art”.

Our Fine Art Show (including Opening Reception, Afternoon of the Quick Draw, Art Walk, and Silent Auction), will be September 20-22.  We’re also excited to, once again, offer our optional En Plein Air Competition.

Northwest Region Landscape Award | Sven Geirnaert

Feminine Visions: Embracing Strength and Adventure

Feminine Visions: Embracing Strength and Adventure 

Exhibit Dates:  2/23 – 4/2

Sharol Chandler: “With Giants”

This art exhibit is a testament to the extraordinary resilience, creativity, and vision of female artists. It explores the multifaceted theme of celebrating female artists and their adventurous journeys in the face of adversity while cultivating peace and overcoming injustice. 

Through a diverse collection of art, we invite you to discover the untold stories of adventurous women who have harnessed their creativity to transcend adversity. These artists have fearlessly confronted challenging circumstances and injustices, using their work as a powerful tool for transformation and empowerment. Their art embodies the strength, courage, and audacity to not only survive but to thrive amidst adversity.

As you navigate this exhibit, you’ll be immersed in the stories of these remarkable women. From the depths of struggle, they have emerged as beacons of inspiration, shining a light on the human spirit’s capacity to overcome obstacles and cultivate peace. “Feminine Visions: Embracing Strength and Adventure” is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of female artists who have shaped their own destinies, creating art that echoes with resilience, courage, and the pursuit of justice.

 

Virtual Exhibit

 

Curated and Judged by Kasiah Sword

T. Kasiah Sword is an artist, world traveler, and nature-lover based out of Joseph, Oregon. Her paintings specialize in site specific murals, whimsically colorful landscapes, and MerDudes that “encourage female sexuality and help fight the patriarchy.”

Kasiah received a bachelor’s in art at the University of Idaho after study renaissance art abroad at the University of Turin. Her art has shown in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Chicago. Soon, thanks to an online patron, 5 pieces will be digitally preserved on the north east border of the Moon’s “Ocean of storms” via a digital time capsule placed by NASA’s peregrine project.

She is also founder and president of Happy Day Paintings, supporting living artists and our planet. “It’s always a happy day when we paint, or we can paint a happier one.” – Kasiah Sword

 

Livestock

The Josephy Center is excited to bring you our first ever Livestock Art Show! We’ve invited local farmer and rancher artists to submit work to our call for farm and ranch animals and any scenes or depictions of farm and ranch life.

The Exhibition is open from January 7- February 12

Judged and Curated by Crystal Newton.

Monetary prizes will be awarded including:

  • 1st place -$250
  • 2nd place- $150
  • 3rd place- $100
  • Best Young Artist- $50
  • People’s Choice- $50

Contact Arianna Olsen with questions at exhibits@josephy.org or by calling 541-432-0505 x 2.

 

 

Virtual Exhibit Below

Little Works 2023

The Josephy Center for Arts & Culture is excited to announce its winter fundraiser, the “Little Works” Exhibition, where all proceeds will be dedicated to supporting the Youth Arts Program. This initiative aims to fund youth class scholarships, the Missoula Children’s Theater, the Youth Art Festival, internships, alternative education art classes, and more.

The Little Works Exhibition will run from November 20th to December 30th, showcasing small works of art, each measuring 10 inches by 10 inches or less. All artworks featured in the exhibition will be priced at under $200. This event not only provides a platform for artists to display their talents but also serves as a means to raise vital funds for youth art programs.

We encourage art enthusiasts, collectors, and the community at large to participate in this meaningful exhibition, which not only celebrates the arts but also contributes to the nurturing of young artistic talent through the Youth Arts Program. Unlike typical exhibits, art purchased from the Little Works Exhibit may be taken home that day! A prime opportunity for unique and creative Christmas gifts!

Join us for the exhibition’s opening reception on Friday, November 24th, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. It will coincide with a Stocking Stuffer Black Friday Art Supply Sale, making it a perfect opportunity to support local artists and discover unique, affordable artwork.

Chronicles of Change

A community exploration through art, science, and story-telling, of how Wallowa County and NE Oregon communities and landscapes are changing, from climate’s influence, to human and wild populations, to scenery, landscape and health… and what those changes mean to us.

EXHIBIT DATES: Oct. 6-Nov. 16

Dr. Ellen Morris Bishop

Judges: Leslie LeViner

Curator: Ellen Morris Bishop

As we become a more urban, urbane, and technologically-driven society, I thnk it is essential top re-establish our ties to landscape and place. I’ve tried to accomplish this through both images and words, as well as interpretive work. With a Ph.D. in geology, and specialization in the exotic terranes of the Northwest, it’s natural that Pacific Northwest landscapes–their geologic history and ecosystems–are my specialty. My photographs try to reveal the landscape’s changing forms through time., and human’s changing relationship with nature.  My images and interpretive work are used by the Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, National Park Service, Oregon State Parks, Contdon Museum, High Desert Museum and many others.

Awards

1st place Sharol Chandler August 31, 2022 3:27pm, Nebo
2nd place Dawn Norman Ellipsis
3rd place Cheryl North Tornado Alley
Judges Choice Jane Glesne Jungle Bus
Honorable Mention Susan Pesti-Strobel Time Changes Everything
Honorable Mention Harold Black Smokey Lake

Virtual Exhibit

2023 Festival of the Arts

Our 41st Annual Event!

The festival is the largest juried fine art exhibition in Eastern Oregon, featuring representational realism as well as contemporary art from the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

The Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts is dedicated to promoting the arts and supporting artists. WVFA is located in the beautiful town of Joseph – known for its breathtaking scenery, myriad outdoor recreation opportunities, world-renowned bronze foundries, exquisite galleries and Main Street art installations. A central aim of the annual festival is to reflect the beauty, culture, heritage, and traditions of our region through its arts and artists. We showcase sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, an En Plein Air competition and more!

Festival Judge: Tim Norman

Tim Norman is a sculptor who has worked in bronze production for nearly 40 years. Tim studied Art and Music at Eastern Oregon State College and Spokane Falls Community College. He began working at Valley Bronze in Joseph, Oregon in 1984.  Tim worked his way up to production manager but left in1996 to start Norman Arts with wife Nickie.

Tim creates and produces his original artwork at his studio near Enterprise Oregon. Tim utilizes the intimate knowledge earned from nearly 40 years in the Bronze Production business to create original fine art sculptures. Tim handles all of his own tooling and patina work on these sculptures, giving a personal touch to each bronze.

Tim’s artwork is enjoyed by collectors through out the United States and Europe. Tim has public works around the country including a  3’ x 5.5’ bronze wall relief of a Horse Drawn Combine titled ‘Harvest” for St. Anthony’s Hospital in Pendleton Oregon, “Heritage” a life size bald eagle in Joseph, Oregon and also in St. Joseph, Missouri.  Life size “River Dance” Redmond Oregon Airport. Tim’s work can also be seen at Phinney Gallery in Joseph, Or, and Rimrock Gallery in Prineville, Oregon.