For immediate release

Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale
Cody, Wyoming
Contact Diane Ballard, director
1-888-598-8119, or (307) 587-5002
art@codychamber.org

Editor's note: Downloadable photos available HERE.

Rendezvous Royale Registration Underway

Cody, Wyo. – Cody’s Rendezvous Royale Steering Committee announced this week that the invitation packet for this year’s activities, scheduled for September 22-25, have been mailed to more than 18,000 individuals and organizations worldwide.

“Nearly a year’s worth of planning and coordination has now reached the execution stage, and the committee is really excited about the prospects for this year’s events,” coordinator Diane Ballard said.

This year’s Rendezvous Royale events include the 12th annual Western Design Conference; the 23rd annual Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale; the 28th annual Patrons Ball of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center; a wide array of “Round Town Events,” ranging from art gallery receptions, artist studio tours, a quilt show, coffee tasting event, jewelry demonstration and even an old-fashioned Wild West gunfight!

“Participants will experience a number of improvement and changes to all three signature events, starting with the ability to register online for the first time,” Ballard noted. “It’s all part of our continuing effort to keep Rendezvous Royale in the forefront as the major Rocky Mountain region cultural event.”

After visiting with Rendezvous Royale Committee members on his statewide tour of Wyoming’s arts and cultural resources earlier this year, Wyoming Arts Council Manager Milward Simpson noted the Rendezvous Royale is “a tremendous and rare example of a successful local collaborative effort in the arts in Wyoming.”

The 2004 Western Design Conference, in its second year under the ownership/management of Western Interiors and Design Magazine, will showcase an anticipated 100 of the nation’s premiere western designers. “The Western Design Conference has certainly exhibited a major commitment to Cody and to making a great event even better,” Ballard noted.

She cited the conference’s growing relationship with the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, including moving the always-popular fashion show to the museum complex, establishing and maintaining an on-going communications dialog and developing short and long range goals and objectives.

Western Design Conference Director Rachel Walls has been a key contributor to discussions involving the long-term goals of the Rendezvous Royale events, Ballard said, and “she has been especially helpful in arranging and coordinating event schedules and marketing opportunities.”

“We have a wonderful hand in glove relationship,” said Walls. “All the events of the Rendezvous Royale compliment each other so well. We collectively recognize and showcase the achievements of individuals based on their artistic pursuit and the convergence of art, design and craft. It is exciting to have events which place the fine and functional arts beside each other. It is a rich experience for the attendees and the participants. The Western Design Conference is looking forward to a bright future in Cody.”

The Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale, a collaborative event between the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce and the BBHC, will feature the work of 100 local and regional western artists.

“We’re excited about the new tent location in the recreation vehicle parking lot south of the BBHC, the decision to add the satellite food and beverage tents and to go to all assigned seating,” Ballard, the BBAS director, said. “The new venue will allow us to add additional food and beverage satellites, improve our traffic flow, make use of permanent restroom facilities at the Powwow Garden not to mention the fact the pavement will be easier to navigate than the lawn,” Ballard noted. “The Saturday morning Quick Draw, expanded to 35 artists this year, will take place in the Center’s Powwow Garden, and this should make this favorite event even more accessible and popular with our guests. We’ve also totally revamped the art show web site, and invite everyone to visit the new site at www.buffalobillartshow.com to preview this year’s artists and their work.”

The opening reception for the art show is scheduled for Tuesday, August 24 at 5 p.m. in the Draper Photography Gallery of the BBHC.

The 28th edition of the Patrons Ball will culminate Rendezvous Royale’s full slate of activities. The black tie event will feature dinner, dancing to the music of “Swing Street,” a silent auction and several chance prizes during the evening, according to Coordinator Jill Gleich.

Anyone wanting additional details about Rendezvous Royale activities is invited to visit the committee’s website at www.rendezvousroyale.org or call 1-888-598-8119.