Native artist and Colville Tribal council member Smoker (Virgil) Marchand is perhaps the most iconic artist of the region, with massive metal sculptures of warriors on horseback, animals in a naming circle and root diggers along the dusty highway to Grand Coulee. His works speak to his culture, both living and ancestral, as well as the relationship of humans to land, to the animals and salmon, and to the non-native residents as well.

Marchand has announced that he’s putting down the welding torch so there will be no new pieces of his beloved native heritage metal art on the horizon. Okanogan Country has the largest concentration of his work. The majestic “Warrior on Horseback” and accompanying “Teepee” can be admired on the shores of the Columbia River. Journeying up through the heart of the Okanogan to visit “How the Animals Got Their Names”, a collection of local wildlife in Omak Eastside Park. Nearby at the Omak Stampede Grounds, the tribute to the Spirit Horse is represented by a pair of rearing horses in front of the museum and visitor center. Homestream Park in Winthrop provides a riverfront interpretive trail with art portraying the salmons’ native habitat, welcoming them home. Many more of Smoker’s magnificent art pieces are spread around the Okanogan, with plenty of pieces waiting to be discovered on your next road trip.

Twisp Ponds Discovery Park is part of a Methow River Collaboration project that showcases a riparian environment rich with wildlife. Discover a quiet, lush refuge to explore the trail, learn about the salmon-rearing ponds and enjoy the variety of local art. A great blue heron, a metallic circle of bumblebees, or the carved tree trunk of “Grandfather Flood” are just some of the pieces you might spot during your exploration.

"Calliope Hummingbird" Photo Courtesy of Okanogan Highland Alliance

On cool and dark nights, a cozy art gallery might be just the reprieve from the elements that you need. The Methow Valley is a center of art in this region and hosts two wonderful galleries: The Confluence Gallery in Twisp and The Winthrop Gallery. Each with its own taste and flair, it is highly recommended that you take time to visit both.

Whatever your tastes, Okanogan Country has art to suit and mesmerize you. Each season is full of opportunities to discover, absorb and enjoy all the great recreation the region has to offer.