JOSEPH — Due to rising coronavirus cases in Wallowa County and the new mask orders from the Oregon Health Authority, the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture will not be able to produce this year’s Wallowa Valley Festival of Arts as planned, but it is going on.

Adjustments are being made that will keep people safe while still exhibiting, appreciating and selling the 95 pieces of artwork accepted and the 54 artists who deserve to be celebrated. In order to do this in the safest way possible, the center will dial back many of the events for the weekend.

“The Big Night” — Friday, Sept. 17, from 7-8:30 p.m. — will see the gallery open for a viewing of the artwork. All attendees must wear masks and will need to follow social distancing protocols. A limited number of people at a time will be allowed inside the gallery. There will be no libations, food or live music. The festival will continue to hold a silent auction to help raise funds for future festivals. They also will hold the En Plein Competition exhibit on the second floor of the center.

On Saturday, Sept. 18, the center will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free and there will be live music. There will also be an Art Walk in Joseph from noon-4 p.m. Artist Steve Arment will do a wood-carving demonstration from noon-1:30 p.m. outside the center. Saturday’s Quick Draw event will run from 2-3:30 p.m. at the Mount Joseph Lodge’s lawn (directly across from the center). Written bidding takes place while artists create their pieces in the 90 minutes allotted. At 3:30 p.m., the artwork will be moved to the front of the hotel and bids will continue until 4 p.m. Masks and social distancing are required.

On Sunday, Sept. 19, art viewing and silent auction bids will continue until 2 p.m. All purchased artwork can be picked up at that time. The festival will continue until 2 p.m. Sunday’s Summer Arts Classic Concert has been canceled due to safety protocols. All artwork will be previewed and awarded by this year’s judge, Dennis DeHart, a photographic artist whose interdisciplinary projects are informed by the connections, conflicts and intersections of the natural and cultural worlds. He is a professor at Washington State University.

The center plans an online component to the event.

For more information and updates, go to www.josephy.org or contact Dawn Norman at exhibits@josephy.org or 541-432-0505.