Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts

Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts

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

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: 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.

Thank You to our Sponsors!

And thank you to our individual donors...

Richard Skovlin and Sandra Skovlin Bosley, Linda Chrisman, David and Ingrid Cook, Jeff Costello, Carolyn Gilbert, John Gorsline, Al and Melissa Josephy, Nancy Knoble, Connie and Brent McKinley, Marky and Ed Pitts, Allen N Schauffler, Anne and Brad Stephens, Michael Homan and Evelyn Swart