Artists with works in the 2018 Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts walked away with more than $5,000 in prize money, not to mention thousands more in sales during the Sept. 13-16 show. The festival is sponsored by the Wallowa Valley Arts Council.

“I’m tired, but it went really well,” festival director Jeff Costello said.

According to Costello, art sales went well, particularly in light of the venue change from the Joseph Community Center to the Josephy Center and Mt. Joseph Lodge. Also, the show juried in less art for a higher quality show.

The show drew entrants from all over the country, the farthest being sculptor Bill Wolff of Maryland. Costello added that the majority of the art came from the Pacific Northwest.

“There’s a real respect and affinity for the Josephy Center,” Costello said. “We wanted the art to be enhanced and complemented by the structure. It is our arts and culture center, so it make sense to have the festival based there.”

He added that Mt. Joseph Lodge across the street equally enhances the art.

The director also noted that attendance was above average with an estimated 250-300 people attending both venues during the popular Friday night festival opening.

The success of the “Quick Draw” competition, which took place at the Mt. Joseph Lodge, also pleased festival staff. Formerly a catered indoor event with an admission charge, this year, the event was held outdoors in the afternoon with free admission. According to Costello, many more people came off the streets to watch the event transpire than the paid admission crowd last year.

“I think we did just as well on bidding and numbers,” he said. “When we looked at what each piece went for, it was a wonderful success.”

In a windfall for some of the winners, certain category sponsors augmented the prize money. For example, one $200 award skyrocketed to $500 while another went from $200 to $450.

“It’s always nice when some of the sponsors and donors kick in a little more to up the ante,” Costello said. “The artists are so grateful, and it means a lot to them.”

Costello said that the artists and attendees liked the change of venues so much that the arts council hopes to keep the same locations for next year’s festival.