Western Design Conference

Celebrating the best of the West from furniture to fashion

Wooden accent chairs with a mid-century modern style; timeless cashmere knitwear with crystal embellishments; statement jewelry made with naturally sourced gems; bespoke leather handbags—these, and so much more, are at the heart of the Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale.

A four-day juried exhibit and sale held at the Snow King Events Center in Jackson, Wyoming, the Western Design Conference (WDC) brings together more than one hundred artists—interiordesigners, furniture makers, architects, fashion designers, leathermakers, jewelers, and others—for a celebration of the breadth and dynamic nature of the style and spirit of the West.

The thirty-second annual conference takes place this year from September 5 through 8. As always, it is a signature event of the renowned Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, which caps the summer season with a ten-day celebration of art in the Tetons. And for the four days of WDC, the Snow King Events Center becomes a hub of all-things American West, from the craftsmanship on display to the community that gathers to celebrate and support the artists.

“No matter your age or interests, whether western or contemporary, this is your not-to-miss event of the summer,” says Allison Merritt, executive director of the Western Design Conference. “It is so festive, inspiring, and invigorating. Not to mention, it is in your backyard and people travel from all over the country to attend.”

Every artist displaying at WDC is selected by a jury of renowned experts, and more than $20,000 in cash is awarded to handcrafted works in leather, metal, accents, woodworking, jewelry, and fashion. While WDC celebrates the West, the influence of what encompasses western style is not limited geographically. In 2023, artists came from twenty-eight states.   

“We love to see how western trends have influenced people over the years,” says Mollie Wetzel, the auction director who has been a part of WDC since 2012. “So often people think of western couture and western fashion as rhinestones and cowboy boots, but there is so much more to it. Western culture is now popular throughout the world, from architecture and interior design to jewelry and fashion.”

While every year brings a fresh take on each maker’s collection, WDC welcomes back returning artists who have garnered a robust following and make the event a family of artists and aficionados. New artists, designers, and exhibitors quickly join the ranks as regulars, and often attendees feel the same way.

Stephen Rosini, maker behind the functional art furniture company SR Woodworking, is participating in his second Western Design Conference this fall. Based in Salt Lake City, Stephen crafts handmade custom furniture inspired by mid-century and contemporary designs.

“I love clean minimalistic designs that are sleek but bold,” he says. “I am drawn to furniture where your eye moves around the piece, so most of my designs are playful.”

He was attracted to the event because of the emphasis on functional art.

“This show really puts functional art and furniture makers right in the spotlight alongside other incredible makers,” he says. “You see everything from contemporary to western design—there are so many styles of work that are made to the highest of standards.”

The event kicks off with the Preview Party and Fashion Show held on September 5, giving patrons a first-look opportunity to shop and enjoy the show. The styles highlighted are quintessentially WDC and modeled by community members, anchoring the special night as a
local’s favorite.