Small-Town Yellowstone Gateway Cody, Wyo. is Big in the Arts World This September 15-20th

Join us next month as we take in classic Western scenery and an array of colorful characters, at renowned Rendezvous Royale it’s no wonder that the small town of Cody is such a big player in the art scene.

“Authentic artistry happens with inspiration, and there is plenty of that to be found here,” said Katrina Southern, marketing manager for Cody Yellowstone, the marketing arm for the region that includes the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse, parts of the Shoshone National Forest and a large swath of Yellowstone National Park. “We are proud of our artistic heritage, and we are thrilled that art-lovers throughout the world have noticed too.”

It is no secret that Cody is an artist and collectors dream as the art scene got off to a running start more than a century ago when New York heiress and sculptor Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney created The Scout, a massive sculpture of Buffalo Bill Cody on horseback which was installed adjacent to the Buffalo Bill Museum and is now the cornerstone of the Whitney Western Art Museum. The art museum was established in 1959 and is now one of five museums comprising the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

In addition to the world-famous museum, the town’s annual art event features a gallery devoted to creations using local materials, various galleries downtown and a coop featuring the works of more than 200 local creators. Cody has been lauded by USA Today readers as a Top Small Town Arts Scene and a Top Art Town by Travel + Leisure. Additionally, the Whitney Western Art Museum was named the Best Art Museum in the U.S. by Newsweek.

Our plan is to immerse ourselves in art, meet the artists and enjoy the many events in this week-long festival.

The Whitney Western Art Museum, of course should be the center of any plans for the week.
In addition to The Scout, the museum is known for its works by famous Western artists such as Charlie Russell, Frederic Remington, Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt and many others.

The highlight of the week is Rendezvous Royale and Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale
It is the biggest art event of the year a celebration of fine art interpreting the land, people and wildlife of the American West. Scheduled this year for Sept. 15 – 20, 2025, the multi-day event includes an auction of contemporary Western art, a Quick Draw event, educational seminars and studio tours. The celebration is capped by the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale, a massive fine art sale showcasing stylistic interpretations of the American West, and the elegant Patron’s Ball.

Also worth a visit is Cody Arts located in the building that once housed the Buffalo Bill Museum and is today the headquarters for the Cody Chamber of Commerce, Cody Arts is also a favorite stop, with pottery, photography, mosaics, jewelry and other artwork crafted by more than 200 artists.

For those who enjoy photography, Open Range Images showcases the works of 13 local photographers and features Images  of wildlife, geology, Yellowstone National Park and the Old West.

Vic Payne Studio and Gallery should be tops on your list. Located in the town of Meeteetse, Vic Payne Studio & Gallery is housed in the restored Meeteetse Mercantile. The gallery combines art and history while showcasing nationally and internationally recognized artists.

Stop by the Plaza Diane Community Center for the Arts in Powell is the result of collaboration among multiple community organizations and citizens who worked with the City of Powell to create a center for arts and culture in the heart of Powell’s downtown shopping district. In addition to providing gallery space for local artists, the center hosts classes and a wide range of events such as themed dinners, Oktoberfest, Christmas Fest and more.

Cody is very walkable and home to numerous art galleries showcasing paintings, sculptures, jewelry and other original pieces created by local and regional artists and photographers. So bring comfortable shoes and explore.

Don’t Miss the Wild West Spectacular is a must for all visitors. For more than 10 years, this award-winning Wild West Spectacular musical production is staged in the historic Cody Theater for six weeks during the summer. The 90-minute performance tells the story of Buffalo Bill Cody’s dream of becoming the world’s greatest showman through high-energy songs and dances performed by talented performers from around the region. The show has been awarded “Best Wild West Show” by True West Magazine.

Cody is also home to The Yellowstone Film Festival that debuted in March 2025 with a 78-film lineup at Big Horn Cinemas in Cody. The event featured feature films, animated shorts, documentaries and other projects from local and international filmmakers, including productions from the United States, Serbia, Italy and Iran.

Bears in the Basin is just plain fun for kids of all ages! Part art installation and part scavenger hunt, Bears in the Basin uses an app through for kids – and some adults – to search for three kinds of “bears” – “Buffalo Bear Cody” in Cody, “Farmer Growl” in Powell and “Amelia Bearhart” in Meeteetse. Each bear highlights what each town is noted for while showcasing the considerable talents of local artist, Tanner Loren.

On your Cody walkabout, peruse the many murals and  sculptures that dot the downtown areas of Cody, Meeteetse and Powell, this is a destination that embraces street art. Look for the new murals that recently popped up near Cody’s City Brew Drive-Thru and near the Cody Band Shell in City Park. And don’t miss the life-size sculpture of Buffalo Bill Cody sitting on a bench outside the Irma Hotel.

A visit to Cody Wyoming is the “Home of the Great American Adventure” The  Cody Yellowstone area is comprised of the northwestern Wyoming towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as areas inside of Yellowstone National Park and the valley east of the entrance. The region is known for rodeos, authentic guest and dude ranches, world-class museums and recreational adventures that reflect the adventurous spirit of the visionaries and explorers who brought the remote region to the world’s attention.