Where else can you mingle with famous artists and authors while meeting a Great Horned Owl?

The Northwest's premier show and sale of nature-related art and books benefiting the Audubon Society of Portland returns for its 38^th annual event just in time to kick-start holiday shopping on Nov. 17 and 18 at Portland’s Montgomery Park building.

Presented by Backyard Bird shop, the Wild Arts Festival boasts 65 artists including jewelry designers, painters, printmakers and sculptors, plus glass, wood, fiber art and ceramic artists – and 18 of those are brand new to this year's Festival.  Although their media differ greatly, they all celebrate the natural world by featuring:

• Nature or wildlife as a subject,
• Natural materials as medium, or
• Art promoting environmental sustainability

38 impressive Northwest authors are scheduled to autograph books and chat with Festival attendees in this casual setting. Featured authors include: 

• Kim Stafford, Oregon Poet Laureate, who will be signing books on Sunday
• Sally Tisdale, Portland author who has written for Harper’s and The New Yorker and has published eight books. She will be signing books on Saturday.
• Robert Michael Pyle with two new titles this year 

See our feathered friends
Kids and adults alike will thrill at a chance to see majestic birds up close. Portland Audubon education birds will appear 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, with child-focused presentations at noon and 2 p.m. These non-releasable native birds serve as ambassadors for their species and Audubon in our community. 

Winding through the airy, light-filled building, visitors can view the popular 6x6 Wild Arts Project where 200 local artists have painted a bird theme on a donated 6x6-inch canvas. Collages and sculptures count too, as long as the art fits within the space. The artists donate their work and each one sells for just $45. Discovering an exquisite piece at such a bargain price means festival attendees line up early to get first dibs on this exhibit.

Silent auction
Up the escalator you’ll find beautiful framed pictures, jewelry and gift certificates for vacation lodging, exotic trips, and restaurants.  Sprinkled throughout the auction are a unique assortment of nifty items and opportunities. If you’re looking for a perfect holiday gift, you may find it here. 

Entertainment and Dining

Guests can enjoy Saturday Happy Hour from 3-6 p.m. Wine, beer and light fare will be available for purchase with live entertainment from the Latin-influenced combo Oleada happening from 4-6 p.m. 

The rest of the weekend, attendees can enjoy fare from Elephants Delicatessen on site. 

Tickets
Visit wildartsfestival.org for more information and to buy tickets for this fun and festive weekend. Admission is just $8 and kids under 14 get in free! Tickets are also available at the event.

Location and hours

Montgomery Park, 2701 NW Vaughn, Portland, OR
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Saturday, November 17 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 18