2023 55th Watermark Art Festival
The weekend was fantastic. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, sponsored, vendored, performed, worked and attended.
With Event Partner
Saturday
10AM to 5PM
Sunday
10AM to 4PM
FREE Admission
The Festival is located at Watermark Art Center and Library Park across from the Center at 505 Bemidji Avenue N, Bemidji MN.
2023 WAF Weekend Activities
- Indoor Kid Art Space open 10:30 to 4 on Saturday and 10:30 to 3 on Sunday.
- Outdoor Family Art Activities open all day Saturday and Sunday
- Face Painting
- Hands-on Dye
- Minnow Races (10-4 Sat & 11-3 Sun)
- SHOP 505 Artist Demos
- Indigenous Artist Demos
- Hands-on Metal Arts
The two-day festival draws thousands of visitors to Downtown Bemidji. The festival area has been expanded to include the Watermark Art Center grounds as well as the historic tree-lined Library Park across the street.
Over 100 artists, many new to the festival, will be featured in addition to artist demonstrations, three stages, entertainment, music and food. Watermark Art Center will also be open for visitors to the galleries and gift shop.
2022 Story on Lakeland Public TV →
Previously known as “Art in the Park” this juried fine art and craft fair has been a summer highlight for Northern Minnesotan residents and tourists since 1967. Vendors sell a wide variety of items including hand-crafted wood items, ceramics, apparel, jewelry, photography, metalworking, greeting cards, homemade preserves, soaps, stained glass, original paintings, garden art and more!
What to expect for 2023
NEW this year will be QR codes posted around the festival grounds that are linked to the latest updates to vendor maps and music schedules.
• 100+ artists and organizations represented
• Food vendors and outdoor dining in the shade of a tent
• 3 stages for music and entertainment
• FREE Children’s art activities inside the art center Education Studio
• FREE Family outdoor art activities
• Exhibits featured in all of the Watermark galleries
• Artist demonstrations in booths and designated areas
• Art for sale in our retail gallery SHOP 505
2023 Music Schedule (2 Stages)
Saturday, July 15
City Park Music Stage
- 10:30 AM Mauro Gutierrez
- 11:30 AM Dan Will and Michaela Syverson
- 12:30 PM The Gastons
- 1:30 PM Eric Haugen
- 2:30 PM Brock Beaulieu
- 3:30 PM Caige Jambor
North Lawn Band Shell
- 10:00 AM Eric Haugen
- 11:00 AM Brock Beaulieu
- 12:00 PM Caige Jambor
- 1:00 PM Mauro Gutierrez
- 2:00 PM Dan Will and Michaela Syverson
- 3:00 PM The Gastons
- 4:00 PM Brock Beaulieu
South Lawn Band Shell
- 10:00 AM The Swivet
- 10:30 AM Caleb Erikson
- 1:00 PM Brock Beaulieu
- 2:30 PM The Swivet
Sunday, July 16
City Park Music Stage
- 10:30 AM Mauro Gutierrez
- 11:30 AM Dan Will and Michaela Syverson
- 12:30 PM The Gastons
- 1:30 PM Caige Jambor
- 2:30 PM Eric Haugen
North Lawn Band Shell
- 10:00 AM Dan Will and Michaela Syverson
- 11:00 AM Caige Jambor
- 12:00 PM Eric Haugen
- 1:00 PM Mauro Gutierrez
- 2:00 PM The Gastons
- 3:00 PM Brock Beaulieu
South Lawn Band Shell
- 10:00 AM Mattea Elhard & NikkiLee Nolden
- 10:30 AM Caleb Erikson
- 12:00 PM Caleigh
- 2:30 PM The Swivet
2023 Demonstrations on the South Lawn
Saturday, July 15
SHOP 505 Artists Demos
- 10:00 – 12:00 Pat Shough, Hand-painted Silk
- 12:00 – 2:00 Gillian Bedford, Painting
- 2:00 – 4:00 TBD
Indigenous Artist Demos
- 10:00 – 5:00 Cancelled
Sunday, July 16
SHOP 505 Artist Demos
- 10:00 – 12:00 Patty Lovegreen
- 12:00 – 2:00 Eve Sumsky, Basketry
- 2:00 – 4:00 Joan Wilson, Painting
Indigenous Artist Demos
- 10:00 – 4:00 Martina Isham, Beading Artist
- 10:00 – 4:00 Cari Ross (Tabor), Quillwork Artist
2023 Artists & Vendors
This list may be subject to change (current as of July 14, 2023)
Artists are not listed in alphabetical order!
CLAY
15. Tom Daly, Tom’s Aquatic Ceramics from Bemidji, MN
79. Butch Holden, Holden Pottery from Bemidji, MN
45. Jeff Burger, Jeff Burger Clay from Bemidji, MN
3-4. Lance Hanfler, Lakes Area Pottery from Cushing, MN
35. Roxanne D Cota, Falling Leaf pottery from St. Cloud, MN
97. Kate Hammer, Pretty Dirt Pottery from Roseau, MN
75. Cyrus Swann, Cryus the Potter from Pine River, MN
92. Debra Saunders, Quiet Hike Pottery & Curious Art from Walker, MN
55. Betsy Saurdiff, Betts Pottery from Grygla, MN
FIBER
91. Shannon Lucas-Westrum, Wildflower Design Studios from Bemidji, MN
51. Cindy Bernstein Brown, Cindy’s Rag Rugs
93. Lynn Willhite, Lynn Willhite Watercolor Apparel from Crookston, MN
S Lawn. Susan K Cross, Wild Wind Studio from Bemidji, MN
37-38. Rose Heim, Heim-Made from Kelliher, MN
34. Kathleen Withers, Kaity Klothes from Nisswa, MN
33. Carol Sele, Sew Many Mitts from Bemidji, MN
66. Jennifer Bremer, Nokomis Knitting from Minneapolis, MN
59. Mary Therese, Fern Lake Studios from Bemidji, MN
35E. Yang Youa, Gifts Made by Hand, Columbia Heights, MN
FLORAL
60. Annette Mattingly, Morning Glory Creations from Ely, MN
FOOD (N Parking Lot)
Knights of Columbus from Bemidji, MN
Griggs Cuisine from Lino Lakes, MN
Boy Scouts Pack 4080G from Bemidji, MN
Kona Ice from Grand Rapids, MN
The Java Shack & Snacks, Bemidji MN
Big River Scoop Ice Cream, Bemidji MN
Sweet & Salty Concessions, Bemidji MN
GLASS
76. Ken Patzoldt & Jo Manbeck, Timberwind, Inc. from Grand Rapids, MN
20. Brian Miller, Brian Dean Miller Glass from Grand Rapids, MN
22. Steven Weagel, The Weagel Works from Pequot Lakes
16. Sherri Kruger-Kukowski, Winding River from Badger, MN
5-6-7. Dee Dee Narum, Mosaic Studio
JEWELRY
95-96. Mellisa Caroll, Earth Elements from Pierpont, SD
36. Shelly Nelson, Shelly Sells Seashells from Brainerd, MN
23. MaureAnn Metzger, from Burnsville, MN
65. Jennifer Patterson, Jennifer Patterson Designs from Alvarado, MN
28. Mary Gohman, The Silver Scarab from St. Cloud, MN
73. Robert Hale, Creations by Hand from North Branch, MN
31. April Keilen, April Keilen Creations from Grand Rapids, MN
80. Christina Holland, Christina Holland Designs from Tucson, AZ
46. Hattie Peterson, Tumbled Heart Designs from Solway, MN
61. Jessica Robertson, Burly Babe from Hudson, WI
90. Monica Hansmeyer, Seven Sister Design from Turtle River, MN
5-6-7. Dean Weber, Bemidji MN
LEATHER
14. Joe & Pam Manthei, Fiskur Leather from Mora, MN
53. Sharon Trandem, The Shop from Bagley, MN
METAL
63. John Theourx, Johns Chains from Bemidji, MN
98-99. Robert & Lana Hendricks, Silverfish ‘n’ Things from Forest Lake, MN
12. David DeMattia, Sleeping Dragon Studios from St. Croix Falls, WI
MIXED
29. Hillary Kempenich, Zazegaa Designs by Hillary from Grand Forks, ND
24. Sandra Haff, Steppin’ Out from Minneapolis, MN
5-6-7. Kathy Sanders, Demonstrations Lamp Work, Bemidji, MN
50. Shannon Reyes, Demonstrations Macrame, Northern Artist Association from Bemidji, MN
ORGANIZATIONS
32. Bemidji Symphony from Bemidji, MN
47. Headwaters School of Music & the Arts from Bemidji, MN
PAINTING
54. Aimee Bouchard, Aimee Bouchard Illustration & Design from Walker, MN
84. Jeff Renner, Jeff Renner Wildlife Art from Park Rapids, MN
8-9. Lyn Jutila, Expressions in Nature from Cloquet, MN
77. Holly Bergstrom, Nurture-Nature-Art from Elk River, MN
81. D. Annette Meyer, Honeysuckle Corner from Blackduck, MN
26-27. Kent Estey, Kent Estey Art & Design from Naytahwaush, MN
18. Jan Wilding, Wilding’s Wildlife from Crosby, MN
5-6-7. John Winter, Bemidji MN
5-6-7. Darcy Brambrink, Bemidji MN
PHOTOGRAPHY
74. Andy Fiore, Fiore Designs LLC from Foley, MN
1-2. Andy Hall, Sweetlight Photography from Climax, MN
43-44. Neil Johnson, NLJ Books & Photography from Hibbing, MN
88. Dave Angell, Angell’s Images from Faribault, MN
19. Liz Shaw, Bella Design from Park Rapids, MN
85. Carol Hoyem, Carol Hoyem Photo Art from Bemidji, mnSOAP
WOOD
89. Darla Haseltine, Haseltine Acre from Bemidji, MN
94. Mark Swenson, Water’s Edge Art from Nisswa, MN
41-42. Justin and Tom Stahnke, Custom Turnings from Farmington, MN
17. Aryn & Courtney Kern, Longshadow Woodworks from Little Falls, MN
21. Jan Wormley, Prairie Song from Newton, IA
13. John Hepola, Shade Tree Woodwork from Bemidji, MN
52. Linda Balmer and Robin Fehr from Bemidji, MN
64. Kenneth Spurlin, Mystery in Wood from Nevis, MN
OTHER
40. Chris Carney, Simply Nuts, Chanhassen MN
62. Tom Kulju, Jackpine Savage Flint Knapping from Longville, MN
10. Aaron Furuseth, Iconic Quilling from Minneapolis, MN
82-83. Sandy Kuhlers, Simply Homemade from Fairmont, MN
87. Barbara Groth, Paper Sampler from Detroit Lakes, MN
100. Curtis R. Olson, CRO Knives from Bemidji, MN
11. Julie Beal, Earth, Wick & Fire from Pequot Lakes, MN
78. Kannika Brueske, Origami by Kannika from Hudson, WI
30. William E Smith, a.m. soap company from Bemidji, MN
101.Blair Treuer, Blair Treuer Textile Art/Book from Bemidji, MN
SE Corner Lakeside. Rock & Rest Breastfeeding Tent, Bemidji MN
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Our Fabulous 2023 Sponsors
Music Stage
🌟🌟 🌟🌟
Paul Bunyan Broadcasting
Zetah Construction
First National Bank Bemidji
Bank Forward Insure Forward
King of the Road
Honda of Bemidji
#MyBemidjiBessler Wiebolt Electric
Keenan’s Cabinets of DistinctionMorell’s Chippewa Trading Post
Friends of the Fest
Lueken’s Village Foods, Kenny’s Clark & Goodyear Service, Tom Kuesel P.A.,
Geri and Jay Wilimek, The Bemidji Woolen Mills, Great River Dentistry, Andy Williams Realty Group
Many Thanks...
Rain or shine, Watermark Art Festival volunteers are indispensable team members who are involved in most every facet of this special weekend event.Â
Thank you to every single one of our fabulous volunteers. You help to make the the fest a wonderful experience for everyone!
Special thanks to the Bemidji Boxing Club for the “heavy lifting” before, during and after the festival.
If you are interested in volunteering for the 2023 Festival, please call or email to watermark@paulbunyan.net
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Watermark Art Festival is made possible in part thanks to the Bemidji Area Arts Endowment.
