All right, the following will be the last public flogging for the Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts. This year. We offer this reprise to acquaint those unfamiliar with the plethora of delights that is the WVFA and to ignite interest in those oddly unmoved by this annual jamboree.

Established in 1982 to showcase the bronze sculpture for which Joseph is noted, the Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts has grown to include art of all media. This year’s festival promises to be the best to date.

Artists from throughout the Pacific Northwest will gather in Joseph for a weekend of art exhibitions, music and art demonstrations.

This year’s show will feature the work of more than 100 artists working in media as diverse as photography , bronze, oil paint, glass and fiber.

The weekend begins with a special artist and patron reception on Friday evening, June 4. A limited number of tickets are available for $25 each.

Admission includes the opportunity to preview the art before the public viewing days as well as a special commemorative wine glass, free wine bar, hors d’oeuvres, live music and a chance to meet many of the artists.

Award-winning artists will be honored as well as the festival judge and the featured artist.

The festival continues on Saturday and Sunday. Viewing of the art is free to the public on those days. All of the art is for sale.

For the second year, the “Quick Draw” will be held in conjunction with the WVFA on Saturday. The artists will be required to start from a blank work surface; participating artists must also be entered in the WVFA. Artists have one-and-a-half hours to complete their pieces.

These one-of-a-kind creations will be available for purchase by silent auction. The Quick Draw will also include live music, hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar, all for a $6 admission. WVAC members will be admitted at no charge and have a chance to take home a piece of art from the “Artists of the Wallowas” revolving collection for the ensuing year.

On that same Saturday, Jim and Ann Shelly’s kiln opening, “Hot From The Fire,” occurs from noon to 6 p.m. at 62378 Hurricane Creek Road. They’ll have wheel and Raku demonstrations and will be showcasing their “vineware” and other designs.

This forthcoming weekend is another indication of the essence of Joseph and the Wallowa Valley and how fortunate we are to live here.

Tom Hutchison covers the arts for the Chieftain in collaboration with the Wallowa Valley Arts Council. Contact him at hutchisonthomas@hotmail.com.