Oil City's Best 2026: Celebrating the Creative Heart of Casper
Every year when the Oil City Best results come out, I do the same thing.
Sure, I look to see where ART321 landed.
But then I spend the next 20 minutes scrolling through the winners thinking, "Yep... that makes sense." Casper is filled with people doing incredible work, and this year's results reminded me just how lucky we are to call this place home.
This year, ART321 was honored to be voted one of Oil City's Best in several categories, and honestly... we're still smiling.
#1 Art Gallery (for the second year in a row!)
#2 Family Entertainment
#2 Community Event (ArtWalk)
#2 Nonprofit Organization
And even though we can't take credit for it, Brianna McFarland, our very own Creative Director, won #1 Artist.
To everyone who voted...Thank you. We were absolutely honored to be voted #1 Art Gallery for the second year in a row.
But can we talk about who else is on this list?
The Nicolaysen has absolutely blown me away this year. Their last three exhibitions have been incredible, and if you haven't been recently, fix that.
Metro Coffee Company (both locations!) continues to prove that art belongs everywhere. Some of my favorite pieces in Casper have been hanging on their walls. (and they have the best bagels and bagel sandwiches ever)
Honestly...Casper has an unbelievable art scene. We are spoiled.
While we're celebrating art, congratulations to Zach Pullen. His work is stunning, and if you've never seen it, you're missing out.
And Marissa Butler..If you haven't noticed the incredible windows she's been painting around downtown Casper, where have you been?
We are surrounded by ridiculously talented artists, and I never stop being amazed by what they create.
Community Events
ArtWalk came in at #2.
Funky Junk deserves every bit of that #1 spot. Whitney has built something truly magical.
What started years ago has grown into one of those events that people plan their weekends around. If you've never been, put the third Saturday in May and September on your calendar now.
Whitney is also the Executive Director at David Street Station, and after seeing all the recognition it received this year... I know it's not a coincidence. She has an incredible gift for building community, and I'm so grateful to have her in my life.
Orr's Hope Foundation took the #3 spot, and if you've ever been to their annual concert, you know why. Thousands of people. Great music by Chancey, Food trucks. Community everywhere you look. And somehow they still manage to end the night with a drone fireworks show you can see from across town. It is insane.
Even more importantly, it supports Wyoming families facing some incredibly difficult medical journeys. That's the kind of event our community rallies around.
Family Entertainment
David Street Station earned the top spot, and it's hard to argue with that.
Between the splash pad, ice skating, concerts, movies, festivals, and countless free events, they've become Casper's living room. They've created a place where families can gather all year long, and that's something special.
And of course, the Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo...
I don't even think I need to explain that one. Summer in Casper just wouldn't feel like summer without it.
Nonprofits
I'm blown away daily at how much the Casper Nonprofits do for our community. If you're receiving service from somewhere in Casper, it's likely it's from a nonprofit. The people who run and work at these organizations work so hard daily to create a Casper that we all call home.
Casper Humane Society earned the #1 spot. Whoever is naming the animals there? Deserves their own award. I have to admit... I like dogs more than a lot of people. (They're usually nicer and definitely more cuddly.)
Orr's Hope Foundation showed up again in the Top 3, and it's another reminder that Casper is filled with organizations quietly changing lives every single day.
We're honored to be included among them.
Looking through these results, what stood out to me wasn't ART321’s ranking. It was seeing page after page filled with people who genuinely care about making Casper a better place: Artists, nonprofits, small businesses, volunteers, event organizers, community builders.
They're all creating something bigger than themselves. That's the Casper I love.
So thank you, not just for voting for ART321 but for supporting all of the people who make this community such an incredible place to live.
We'll keep doing our part.
Explore ART321
Looking for things to do in Casper, Wyoming? ART321 offers something for every age and every level of creativity.
Whether you're exploring our art gallery in Casper, Wyoming, signing up for art classes in Casper, Wyoming, shopping our gift shop in Casper, Wyoming for handmade work by local artists, or picking up materials from our growing selection of art supplies in Casper, Wyoming, every visit helps support local artists and expand access to the arts in our community.
Come explore what's happening at ART321 - it's what YOU make of it.
And we can't wait to welcome you