“Hunter’s Watch” to be auctioned online at September festival and appear on 2020 posters

In Jackson, Wyoming, the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, presented annually by the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, has announced the much-anticipated featured artwork for the 2020 festival. Titled “Hunter’s Watch,” the painting, which depicts a Native American man on the hunt with bow and arrow in hand and surrounded by shimmering gold and green fall leaves, was created by Thomas Blackshear, represented by Trailside Galleries in Jackson, Wyoming. Blackshear is known for his distinctive Western Nouveau style that draws on both the Golden Age of Illustration and the Art Nouveau style and often incorporates gold leaf, as in “Hunter’s Watch.” The dramatic piece is the most contemporary work yet chosen for the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival.

“Hunter’s Watch” will grace official festival posters and will be offered for sale at a new online auction scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 15, 2020. “While Blackshear’s work beautifully represents the Western art that we’ve become known for selecting for our much-anticipated annual posters, it also appeals to a new type of buyer and collector,” says Britney Magleby, special events manager for the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce. “We expect both young buyers just starting their collections and traditional collectors who have been purchasing art in Jackson for decades to take interest in this piece. And we’re excited for art lovers who aren’t able to travel at this time to be able to participate in the new digital auction format.”

The Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival, one of the West’s premier cultural events returning for its 36th year, is scheduled to take place September 9 - 20, 2020, with opportunities for both in-person and virtual participation in events that appeal to art, design, food, wine and history enthusiasts. While the festival will look different this year due to precautions surrounding coronavirus concerns, with some events canceled and others altered for smaller groups and social distancing, newly offered online options will allow national participation beyond Jackson Hole visitors.

A graduate of Chicago’s American Academy of Art, Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival featured artist Thomas Blackshear was originally recruited directly from college by the Hallmark Card Company. A successful illustrator of the highest caliber since the early ‘80s, Blackshear has recently been named to the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame for 2020 and has produced work for clients ranging from Disney Pictures, George Lucas Studios and Universal Studios to International Wildlife and National Geographic Magazine along with 30 illustrations for U.S. postage stamps.

Blackshear and his work are the subject of a cover story in the March/April 2020 issue of Art of the West and additional honors include the 2006 unveiling of his painting of Pope John Paul II at the Vatican for the 25th anniversary of the Pope John Paul II Foundation. Blackshear’s work has been displayed at the Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., and the Autry Museum of the American West among other venues.

Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival 2020 posters featuring Blackshear’s “Hunter’s Watch” may be purchased through the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival and are currently available for preorder here. The artwork also will appear on the label of the special edition of Fall Arts Festival featured wines, produced by the Jackson Hole Winery.

About the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival:
Conveniently located just 20 minutes from the Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming, is served by major airlines, including Delta, United, American and SkyWest. Reservation information for Jackson’s numerous hotels may be found at www.jacksonholechamber.com/. The 36th annual Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival will take place September 9 - 20, 2020. For additional information, contact Britney Magleby at Jackson Hole Chamber, 307.201.2309.