WALLOWA COUNTY CULTURE & THE ARTS

There is no doubt that Wallowa Counties culture began with the first people who lived here, and the Nez Perce today have many fine artists and craftsmen whose work you can enjoy at the Annual Nez Perce Art Show.  Quilting was popular with the early settlers and has been brought to huge popularity among today’s women.  Enjoy the gorgeous patterns and colors at the Wallowa Mountain Quilt Show, or the Sagebrush Scramble Quilt Shop, “hop”

Much of the inspiration for our local artists revolves around the stunning beauty of the area now as it did in the past. Just take a jet boat trip up the beautiful Snake River to see the Indian pictographs.

The natural beauty of Wallowa County and slower pace of life attract a growing number of artists and crafts people, both amateur and professional. There are three Bronze foundries in the area which are recognized internationally as well as nationally for their exquisite craftsmanship. 

The talented artists who have been drawn to this beautiful area include writers, painters, potters, weavers, photographers and other visual artists.

Fishtrap, a world renown nonprofit organization, provides a tranquil retreat for literary seminars and workshops. Writers come from all over the country to study western writers and writings.

The Wallowa County Arts Council encourages and promotes an array of arts, including the performing arts, with local and regional, as well as other touring companies.

You will find a wide variety of cultural events scheduled throughout the county. There is something for everyone. From old time Cowboy poetry reading to an art walk thru Joseph, among the many other annual events in Wallowa County are the Old-Time Fiddler’s Contest, Bronze Blues & Brews, Wallowa Festival of the Arts, and Nez Perce Art in the Wallowas at Wallowa Lake,  Fishtrap, Art & Bronze Foundry Tours, and the Wallowa Lake Blue grass Music Festival.

There are many Museum’s and Art Galleries, from Wallowa to Joseph, and in Enterprise  and Joseph you will find tours available at the Bronze  Foundry’s.

If you stroll the Main Street of Joseph you will find many bronze art sculptures donated to the city by the following artists:

Austin Barton-All Around Cowboy,
J. Shirley Bothum-Tracking the Intruders
Shelly S. Curtis-He Who Thinks He’s Invisible
Dennis Jones-Running Raiders
David Manual-Rolling Thunder & Toma
Steve Parks-Spirit of Joseph
Ramon Parmenter-Garden Walk