After acting as the Events Manager of the Western Design Conference (WDC) for seven years, Jackson, Wyo., resident Allison Merritt has purchased the event, held annually during the Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival. The Western Design Conference, a juried show that offers more than $16K in prize money and showcases preeminent American artists working in Western genre crafts, has been one of the most important and well-attended events of the September arts festival. Merritt plans to expand the 2014 WDC show and sale, scheduled for September 4-7, 2014, to include a home and interior design feature as well as a larger fashion shopping experience.

“With its usual impressive work from top artisans plus the new features, the 22nd Annual Western Design Conference Exhibit + Sale promises to deliver a terrific impact to Jackson Hole and its continuing growth on the national arts scene,” says new WDC owner Merritt.

“My vision is to build on the history of the show while creating an event that brings together every facet of design in the West, and to appeal to markets ranging from young, new customers to established collectors,” says Merritt. “From documented American craft to home design to fashion, we are expanding the show to encompass all aspects of the best of Western design.”

The Western Design Conference was founded 22 years ago in Cody, Wyo., as a way to promote contemporary artists working in historical American craft methods.  The show moved to Jackson in 2007 when it was purchased by Powder Mountain Press, LLC and the Jackson Hole News & Guide. The purchase by Allison Merritt continues the strong commitment to Western arts in Wyoming while also expanding the reach of the show.

For more information and a full schedule of Western Design Conference events, visit www.westerndesignconference.com.