JOSEPH — With the dramatic backdrop of the Chief Joseph Mountain and the peaks of the Eagle Cap Wilderness, the 40th Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts invites artists and art lovers to Joseph’s Main Street Sept. 16 and 17.

This year there are three different opportunities for artists to hawk their wares and share their talents with the public.

The opening Fine Art Show and En Plein Air Opening Reception is Friday, 7-10 p.m. Tickets are available online at www.josephy.org for $25. Entry includes dinner as well as wine served in glasses hand painted by local artists. Musical entertainment will be provided by Jezebel’s Mother — the power duo of Janis Carper and Carolyn Lochert.

Juried art submitted by Northwest artists will be in competition for $5,500 in prize money for 14 categories including $500 for Best in Show. Jeff Costello, president of the Josephy Center’s board of directors, said 110 pieces of art by 61 artists from the Northwest will be juried and for sale.

En Plein Air pieces created the days leading up to the art show will also be on display and for sale at the opening reception and throughout the weekend. Costello said artists entered in the En Plein Air competition will receive a date-stamped canvas and have from Sunday, Sept. 10 to Friday, Sept. 16 to create up to five different paintings.

“We want them to use Wallowa County’s beauty as their inspiration,” Costello said.

All art exhibits will be open to the public at the Josephy Center, including En Plein Air artwork, on Sept. 17 from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sept. 18 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The Quick Draw competition is Saturday, 2-4 p.m., at the Mt. Joseph Lodge gardens, with live music in the gazebo. Costello said artists have 90 minutes to complete their drawings. Meanwhile, an auction starts while they are still creating.

“It gets to be a total frenzy as people are bidding while the artists are still drawing,” Costello said.

The Josephy Center will be open Saturday for exhibit viewing and more music and Executive Director Cheryl Coughlan said a gallery walk down Joseph’s Main Street includes Aspen Grove Gallery, Kelly’s Gallery and Barn Boutique, Element and David Brunkow Photography.

Steve Arment will be on hand to tell the story of his wood carving as he demonstrates his craft.

Money raised beyond the festival’s needs has historically gone to local nonprofits. Costello said the board decided to further the Josephy Center’s educational outreach; proceeds now go toward youth scholarships.

“We couldn’t do this festival all of these years without the generosity of local merchants and individuals as well as our 110 volunteers — for a community with no stoplight that’s pretty good,” Costello said.

Volunteer and sponsor opportunities are still available. Visit www.josephy.org for more information.