Okanogan Country Art Trail | Methow Valley

Student work created over 5 years, including integrated ecological studies with art, poetry, reflection and technique. Made possible through the Methow Arts Artist In Residence Program working with artists Bruce Morrison, Jim Neupert and poet Linda Robertson.

Take a step back into the Old West. Located on the North Cascades Scenic Byway in Washington’s magnificent Methow Valley, Winthrop is a old west town with wood boardwalks and western charm.Stay in a romantic cabin, a charming cottage or an elegant resort. Get ready to enjoy saloons,sunshine, festivals, rivers, snow, trails, hiking, biking, and more!

The Winthrop Gallery opened in 1998 as the Beckman/Williams Gallery under the operation of oil painter Betsy Williams.

In 2001 the gallery expanded to represent the many professional artists of the region as a cooperative gallery and is now staffed and managed entirely by its artist members and volunteers. The gallery’s gift area allows artisans to sell work on consignment.

In 1891, 32 year old Harvard graduate named Guy Waring arrived in the Methow Valley, spotted a market in the handful of miners and ranchers living nearby and opened Winthrop's first general store. After two years of success, the store burned and Waring was forced to move back east to recoup his losses. Three years later he returned to rebuild his business, having enticed his reluctant wife to return with him by promising to build her a fine home. This carefully crafted log house, called "The Castle" by locals, is now the centerpiece of the Shafer Museum. 0wen Wister, author of The Virginian, visited here twice, drawing some of his story from the area. Except for the old log town hall, Waring owned every building on Winthrop's main street. Bankrupt in 1916, he again went east, leaving his stepson, Harry Greene, to live in his showplace home. When the Greenes left a few years later, it was used by the Episcopal church. In 1943, purchased by local merchant Simon Shafer, the Winthrop landmark was made into a museum. Eventually turned over to the Okanogan County Historical Society, the museum's village of buildings has been gradually improved and expanded.

The paining on  the side of Tenderfoot Grocery store in Winthrop, called "The  Emporium" features an illistration of the North Cascade area. Restored by artist Brad Pinkerton. 

The "Cowboy Draggin' His Saddle" sculpture by Rich Beyer and Steve Love stands near Highway 20 on the down-river end of Winthrop in front of the self storage. 

Sculpture by Richard Beyer located in Twisp Commons Park.

Located in Tiwsp Common Parl, created in 2016 by Barry Stromberger

Confluence Gallery enriches the communities of Okanogan County with a quality art gallery (7+ themed shows per year), local art & craft gift shop, art education programs, and artist cultivation efforts. Located in downtown Twisp, the heart of the Methow Valley.

By Bernard Hosey, can be viewed at Twisp Works.
Photo courtesy of Washington Tourism Alliance.

TwispWorks is an historic property and a center for creative enterprise. A visionary partnership of the entire Methow Valley community and a gateway to our region. They promote economic vitality in the Methow Valley, by transforming the former U.S. Forest Service complex in Twisp into a vibrant center for art, agriculture, innovative technology and education. A center for arts & culture, local, agriculture, innovation, education and economic vitality in the Methow Valley. TwispWorks launched its artist residency program in the fall of 2011 with the goals of bringing visiting artists to the area to contribute to and interact with the vibrant local arts scene; and providing studio space to local artists to forward their own work.

The Methow Valley Interpretive Center is an informative center that educates the public to the Methow Valley's history and geology. 

For over 35 years the Methow Valley Community Theater has proudly performed for the community. We aim to bring acting, directing, and staging opportunities to the Valley, as well as create quality performances for our community. Our volunteer operation runs our of the Twisp Community Center. 

Methow Arts Alliance enriches the lives of the people living in rural Okanogan County by making the Arts an integral, dynamic aspect of community, economic vitality, public education and civic life.