The Bronze Buffalo Festival is a three-day en plein aire event highlighted by a closing exhibition and Gala featuring works of art created during the paintout, live entertainment and southern cuisine.
Two days prior to the Gala dozens of artists from Kentucky and surrounding states visit Owensboro for the Bronze Buffalo En Plein Aire Paintout to render paintings of familiar local sites and community events. The paintings are entered into a competition and presented in a one-night exhibition at the museum.
The buffalo theme for the festival was inspired by the museum’s heroic sized bronze buffalo installed in its sculpture park. The bronzes celebrate the Buffalo Trace used by early pioneers to establish the settlement of Yellowbanks, the predecessor of Owensboro, Kentucky.
The Buffalo Festival and Gala is sponsored by Swedish Match.