Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts

42nd Annual Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts
September 20-22, 2024

Dear Artists and Art lovers,

The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture is thrilled to host the 42^nd Wallowa Valley Arts Festival in Joseph, Oregon from Sept. 20-22, 2024. If you haven’t been to Joseph, this year would be the year to participate and visit our beautiful town. Joseph is known for its breathtaking scenery, myriad outdoor recreation opportunities, art galleries and Main Street’s bronze sculptures. The Festival showcases sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, an En Plein Air competition and more! Our judge this year is distinguished painter Karen Bakke.

Happy creating,

Jeff Costello and Arianna Olsen
Board Member and Program Director

Festival Judge: KAREN BAKKE

As the Impressionists have done, Karen Bakke enthusiastically paints vibrant and fresh en plein air paintings (outdoors, on location) and breathes that same life into her studio paintings. She is not held back by any one type of subject or medium and is persistently creating challenges for herself. Karen strives to find that certain “je ne c’est quoi” - evoking a memory, a mood, or passion.

Karen is a member of the American Impressionists Society, PSGNWA, NWPastel Society, PSWC, PAWA (president 2017-2021), and the Yosemite Sierra Artists. She has earned many entries into juried shows and won several awards.

Karen resides in beautiful Sedro-Woolley, WA, “the gateway to the great North Cascades”. She and her husband travel to Southern Yosemite twice a year to paint the amazing character of this lesser-visited area.
Karen’s professional background includes toy design, illustration and visual-effects in the tv and movie industry.

2024 Festival Schedule

Sept. 20th (7-10pm): Fine Art Show & En Plein Air Opening Reception
Josephy Center for Arts and Culture (this is a ticketed event - buy them here).

Sept. 21st (1-4 pm): Afternoon of the Quick Draw, Set up at 1pm - Quick Draw starts at 2, Live Music from 1:30-3:30pm.
Mt. Joseph Lodge Gardens/Grounds (directly across Main Street from Josephy Center).

Sept. 21st (10am - 8pm) & Sept. 22nd (10am - 2pm): All Art Exhibits Open to the Public (including En Plein Air Artwork)…Featuring Live Music
Josephy Center for Arts and Culture

Sept. 22nd (1:30 pm): Silent auctions bid close. Art buyers may pick up their purchases at 2pm. Unsold art must be picked up by the artist, or a designated representative, between 2:30-4pm or make arrangements with Josephy Center staff including registering for the extended exhibition period ending on September 26th.

Sept 23rd - Oct 3rd: Extended exhibit of remaining art on display at Josephy main gallery.