Wild Arts Festival

About this event

The 46th annual Wild Arts Festival is coming soon! Join us December 5 & 6 at the Wingspan Event Center in Hillsboro as we celebrate art, books, and nature. Many of your favorite artists are returning, joined by a top-tier slate of new artists. Authors attending include exciting newcomers as well as local favorites like Carson Ellis and Colin Meloy, whose book Wildwood was made into a stop-motion animation movie just released by LAIKA. Short “lightning talks” by authors and artists will offer further insights into their work, process and inspiration. Bird Alliance of Oregon staff will be on hand to talk about our work with attendees.

Whether you choose a piece of beautiful artwork, nature-inspired books, or one of our exciting silent auction items, your purchase at the Wild Arts Festival supports Bird Alliance of Oregon's mission to inspire all people to love and protect birds, wildlife, and the natural environment upon which life depends, as well as talented PNW artists and authors. Please share the Wild Arts Festival website and your enthusiasm for the event with family and friends to help us make this event a success.

Art Fair

The Wild Arts Festival celebrates a talented group of artists from the Pacific Northwest and California. This year’s artists include many returning favorites as well as 17 exciting artists who are new to the festival. They will be sharing their original work in metal, painting, mixed media, ceramics, photography, woodworking, jewelry, sculpture, glass, and fiber arts. Enjoy Tim Hallam’s stunning nature photography, Doug Roy’s intricately cut paper art, and Janel Pahl’s whimsical birds. See new artists Stacy Hsu, Beth Hatfield, Jack Wray, Hitomi Jacobs, Matt Poole, and others. Visit our festival artist website where you can learn more about the artists, then come meet and chat with them during the festival.

Book Fair

This year’s Wild Arts Festival Book Fair welcomes twenty-six regional authors and illustrators. Colin Meloy and Carson Ellis are ready to take you on an adventure in the fantastical forests of Wildwood. Then venture out with Emily Poole’s seasonal guide to the Pacific Northwest or hike the coast with Bonnie Henderson and seek out elusive sea birds with guides from Maria Mudd Ruth and Eric Wagner. Urban hikers will enjoy Brian Libby’s exploration of Portland’s architectural transformation. Share a story exploring indigenous culture’s relationship with the land by Steph Littlebird with a youngster, then take them to search for tiny habitats described by Amy Hevron. Revisit the writings of the late Brian Doyle in a new book compiled by his wife, Mary Doyle. These are just a sampling of the books available at this year’s Wild Arts Festival. Authors will be available for book signing between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; see the schedule on the festival website.

Silent Auction

Don’t miss this year’s Silent Auction, featuring an African Safari, Oregon Coast weekend, Costa Rica vacation, outdoor adventure gear, wining and dining opportunities, and more. As always, the auction features fabulous art and fun experiences donated by our Wild Arts Festival Artists, Bird Alliance of Oregon members, and friends.

Our very special offering this year is a handcrafted ‘ukulele. Named “The Eagle” for the image of an eagle in the grain of the myrtlewood back, this one-of-a-kind instrument was signed by the Hawaii-based musician Taimane Gardner in honor of Bird Alliance of Oregon. Her custom-designed strap graces the 'ukulele. 

To see the auction catalog and register to bid visit www.wildartsfestival.org. All auction items will be on display at the Wild Arts Festival. Our Auction Store will have additional nature-related items available for direct purchase at the festival.  

Online bidding opens Friday, December 4 at noon and closes at 3 p.m. on Sunday, December 6. Items can be picked up by winning bidders at the festival Sunday afternoon or at Bird Alliance of Oregon campus December 8 through the 13. Gift certificates will be mailed to the winners. Shipping of items is not included but can be arranged.