Third Annual Collective Arts Festival: Arts, Performances and More

The Bighorn Arts Collective will host the 2026 Collective Arts Festival from 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Whitney Commons in downtown Sheridan. 

The free festival celebrates the region’s creative community through live music and dance performances, visual art demonstrations, literary and poetry readings, children’s art activities, artisan vendors, food trucks and a beer garden.

Bighorn Arts Collective Program and Strategy Coordinator Turner Bruce joined WYO Performing Arts and Education Center Executive Director and Bighorn Arts Collective co-founding member Erin Butler along with Ucross Foundation Executive Director and Bighorn Arts Collective Vice President Catlin Addlesperger on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to discuss the family-friendly event.

Designed to showcase the diversity of Sheridan County’s arts community, the festival encourages collaboration among artists, organizations and audiences. Hands-on art experiences will be available throughout the day through the Collective’s member organizations.

SAGE Community Arts will once again host the Creation Station, giving children and adults space and materials to create their own artwork. The Ucross Foundation will offer its Experimentation Station, where attendees can try printmaking and write a haiku.

  C. Addlesperger 

Along with celebrating and showcasing the visual and literary arts, the performing arts will be on stage throughout the day and into the evening. This year’s lineup includes April June, children from WYO PLAY, Crow Native Exhibition Dance, The Brandon Sprague Band and the headliner, The Imaginaries. 

E. Butler

Admission is free, and everyone is invited to enjoy live performances, local artists, hands-on activities, artisan vendors, food and family-friendly fun. 

Learn more by clicking here.