It was a great festival weekend!
Thanks to all the volunteers, vendors and organizations, especially the Bemidji Boxing Club, who helped with set up -and who stayed long hours afterward breaking it all down!
There were so many smiles on visitors’ and vendors’ faces – the vibe was truly happy. It’s a lot of work to make this happen for Bemidji. If you think you’d like to volunteer at the festival or any Watermark event, shoot us a message and we’ll be in touch.
With Event Partner
58th Annual Festival-2026
FREE Admission
Saturday July 18, 2026
10AM to 5PM
Sunday July 19, 2026
10AM to 4PM
Air Quality Alert: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency →
What’s happening with the Fest?
We’re getting a lot of questions regarding air quality and the festival.
Currently, Watermark has made no decision to cancel the festival due to air quality conditions. Because the forecast seems to shift quickly, and something as simple as a brief cloud burst could clear the air for a beautiful day, it doesn’t make sense to us to pull the plug.
There are no fires threatening the Bemidji area. However smoke from wildfires 150 miles east and those in Canada are producing heavy smoke so that wind currents are creating smokey skies in our area. National weather models predict a system that will push smoke to the east and out of our area Friday and Saturday.
We will keep you updated regarding local air conditions & recommendations on the days of the festival and on our website
THANK YOU to Everyone
Artists, Food Vendors, Volunteers, Sponsors and our Event Partner -Paul Bunyan Communications for making the Fest a wonderful weekend for festival visitors and the community!
The Festival is located on the grounds of Watermark Art Center and Library Park across from the Center at 505 Bemidji Avenue N, Bemidji MN.
We’d LOVE to see your photos!
For 2026, you can expect:
• 100+ artists and organizations represented
• Food court and picnic tent
• 2 stages with LIVE music
• Outside Creative Zone for all-ages activities
• Inside FREE Kids Make-n-Take projects
• Exhibits featured in all of the Watermark galleries
• Artist demonstrations
• Art for sale in SHOP 505 retail gallery
2025 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!
The two-day festival transforms historic Library Park and the Watermark Art Center grounds into a vibrant festival drawing thousands to Downtown Bemidji. In addition to exceptional art, both indoors and out, visitors can enjoy hands-on activities, demonstrations, live music, a food court, and outdoor picnic area.
**Well-behaved dogs are allowed.
2026 Creative Zone
Indigenous Artist Demonstrations
Saturday, July 18th:
10am – 1pm Cari T Ross: Quillwork
10am – 1pm Tallie Large: Birchbark Jewelry
1pm – 4pm Cindy Hamilton & Teresa McDowell: Moccasin-making and beadwork
Indigenous Artist Demonstrations
Sunday, July 19th:
10am – 4pm Betsy May – Fresh ideas!
10am – 1pm Tallie Large: Birchbark Jewelry
1pm – 4pm Sharon Nordrum: Watercolor on canvas
Thank you to our grantors Bemidji Area Arts Endowment and the McKnight Foundation, and for additional sponsorship from First National Bank Bemidji activities in the Creative Zone outdoors and Kids Make and Take projects indoors.
Festival Music Schedule – 2 Stages
Paul Bunyan Broadcasting
& BSU Dept of Technology, Art & Design
Band Shell
Located in Library Park
Saturday, July 18
- 10:00 AM Mauro Gutierrez
- 11:00 AM Brock Beaulieu
- 12:00 PM Karen’s Cabin
- 1:00 PM Two Hearted
- 2:00 PM Teeny Tiny Town
- 3:00 PM Caige Jambor
Sunday, July 19
- 10:00 AM Darin Bergsven
- 11:00 AM Karen’s Cabin
- 12:00 PM Hot Diggity
- 1:00 PM Brian & Norah
- 2:00 PM Two Hearted
- 3:00 PM Brock Beaulieu
Zetah Construction
Band Shell
Located in the Picnic Area
Saturday, July 18
- 10:30 AM Caige Jambor
- 11:30 AM Teeny Tiny Town
- 12:30 PM April & Aspen
- 1:30 PM Karen’s Cabin
- 2:30 PM Darin Bergsven
- 3:30 PM Eric Haugen
Sunday, July 19
- 10:30 AM Sylas Williams
- 11:30 AM Brian & Norah
- 12:30 PM April & Aspen
- 1:30 PM Mauro Gutierrez
2:30 PM Darin Bergsven
2026 Artists and Food Vendors - updated as of July 13, 2026
CLAY
Tom Daly, Tom’s Aquatic Ceramics from Bemidji, MN
Butch Holden, Planet A Clay from Bemidji, MN
Jeff Burger, Jeff Burger Clay from Bemidji, MN
Roxanne D Cota, Falling Leaf Pottery from St. Cloud, MN
Kate Hammer, Pretty Dirt Pottery from Roseau, MN
Debra Saunders, Quiet Hike Pottery & Curious Art from Walker, MN
Betsy Saurdiff, Betts Pottery from Grygla, MN
Paul Zoldahn, Horizon Pottery from Two Harbors, MN
Nathan & Colleen, Bray Pottery from Iron, MN
FIBER
Cindy Bernstein Brown, Cindy’s Rag Rugs from Blaine, MN
Rose Heim, Heim-Made from Kelliher, MN
Kathleen Withers, Kaity Klothes from Nisswa, MN
Jennifer Bremer, Nokomis Knitting Co. from Minneapolis, MN
Yang Youa, Gifts Made by Hand, Columbia Heights, MN
Susan Drebelbis, Lady Slipper Threads from Bemidji, MN
Kris Nei, Weavin’ Wild Bemidji Basketry from Bemidji, MN
Stacie Shuster, SS Custom Arts from LaPorte, MN
Carrie Jessen, Bear Den Handwovens from Solway, MN
Shannon Lucas-Westrum, Wildflower Cottage from Bemidji, MN
FOOD COURT
Knights of Columbus from Bemidji, MN (Walleye, hot dogs)
Boy Scouts Pack 4080G from Bemidji, MN (Soda & Water)
Mac N’the Box, Bemidji MN (Mac & cheese bowls, nachos)
Kazo Concessions from Bemidji, MN (Frybread tacos, cheese curds, fried oreos, walking tacos)
New Flavor from Grand Forks, ND (Middle eastern, latino)
Baby Bear Sandwich from Bemidji, MN (Waffles, chicken wraps/baskets)
Sweet & Salty Concessions from Bemidji, MN (popcorn, cotton candy)
FOOD PRODUCTS
Mark Christiansen, Mr. Dister BBQ (BBQ rubs & sauces) from Cotton, MN
Chris Carney, Simply Nuts (nuts) from Chanhassen, MN
Deb Pietrzak, Sugar Buzz Candy Shop (fudge) from Foley, MN
Sandy Kuhlers, Simply Homemade (jam) from Fairmont, MN
Steve Olson, Kwickle from Wahkon, MN (pickle seasoning)
Taylor Miller, Zaagi’iwin from Mahnomen MN (tea blends & native foods)
GLASS
Ken Patzoldt & Jo Manbeck, Timberwind, Inc. from Grand Rapids, MN
Brian Miller, Brian Dean Miller Glass from Grand Rapids, MN
Don & Lois Pearson, Sunnyside Designs from Bemidji, MN
JEWELRY
Mellisa Caroll, Earth Elements from Pierpont, SD
Jennifer Patterson, Jennifer Patterson Designs from Alvarado, MN
Mary Gohman, The Silver Scarab from St. Cloud, MN
Robert Hale, Creations by Hand from North Branch, MN
April Keilen, April Keilen Creations from Grand Rapids, MN
Christina Holland, Christina Holland Designs from Tucson, AZ
Jessica Robertson, Burly Babe from Hudson, WI
Debbi Berquist, True Vivid Stone from Crystal Lake, IL
LEATHER
Joe & Pam Manthei, Fiskur Leather (functional & decor) from Mora, MN
Ashley Neary, Red Lantern Leatherworks (functional & decor) from Viroqua, WI
METAL
John Theourx, Johns Chains (jewelry & chain maille) from Bemidji, MN
Robert & Lana Hendricks, Silverfish ‘n’ Things from Forest Lake, MN
Dale Lessard, Minnesota Summer from Isanti, MN
Curtis R. Olson, CRO Knives from Bemidji, MN
Dave Mastell, Firepit, LLC from Hackensack, MN
MIXED MEDIA
Loon Country Arts, Bemidji, MN
Northern Artist Association, Bemidji, MN
ORGANIZATIONS
Bemidji Symphony Orchestra
Headwaters School of Music & the Arts from Bemidji, MN
Bemidji Area Breastfeeding Coalition
Bemidji Chorale
Bemidji Special Olympics (Minnow Races on South Lawn)
Bemidji Sculpture Walk from Bemidji MN
Northern Artist Association from Bemidji MN
Loon Country Arts from Bemidji, MN
PAINTING
Jeff Renner Wildlife Art from Park Rapids, MN
Kent Estey Art & Design from Naytahwaush, MN
Darcy Brambrink, Darcy Brambrink Art from Laporte, MN
Radunz MacKenna, White Pine Artworks from Bovey, MN
Nicholas Jackson, Tall Fox Studios from Bemidji, MN
PHOTOGRAPHY
Carol Hoyem, Carol Hoyem Photo Art from Bemidji, MN
Brady Flower, Photo Letter Project from Minneapolis, MN
Darrell Tangen, Backroad Images, from Menahga, MN
Charles Hartell, Chuck Hartell Picture Maker from Monticello, MN
Linda Rother, Linda Rother Arts from Lake George MN
WOOD
Darla Haseltine, Haseltine Acre from Bemidji, MN
Jan Wormley, Prairie Song from Newton, IA
Linda Balmer from Bemidji, MN
Paula & Lee Oman, P&L Woodworking from Duluth, MN
Laurie & Fred McGregor, McGregor’s Tree Patch from Akeley, MN
Amanda Black, Black Loon Studio from St Paul, MN
Jessica Rivest, The Aspen Owl from Shakopee, MN
Gregg Grams, Walking Wood Walking Sticks from Little Falls, MN
ASSORTED
Tom Kulju, Jackpine Savage Flint Knapping from Longville, MN
Aaron Furuseth, Iconic Quilling (greeting cards) from Minneapolis, MN
Barbara Groth, Paper Sampler (paper collage) from Detroit Lakes, MN
Julie Beal, Earth, Wick & Fire (candles) from Pequot Lakes, MN
Michelle Nelson, Happy Nature (body care) from Bemidji, MN
Anna Johnson Printmaker (monotype) from Fargo, ND
– so
Thanks to these additional supporters for making the 2026 Watermark Art Festival programming a fantastic experience for our visitors this year.
Dick’s Plumbing and Heating Naylor’s Heating and Refrigeration Scotland Bakke Dental P.A.
Friends of the Fest
Tom & Marilyn Miller, Miller McDonald, Inc, Northway Insurance Services, Tom Kuesel P.A., MJB Home Center, Adelpha Studio,
Geri & Jay Wilimek, Labraaten Insurance Agency, Great River Dentistry, Mark Dickinson,
Port-Able John, Luekens Village Foods, Ace Hardware, Kenny’s Tire & Auto, South Shore Hotel
Our Volunteers are the Best!
Rain or shine, Watermark Art Festival volunteers are indispensable team members who are involved in most every facet of this special weekend event.
Thank you to every single one of our fabulous volunteers. You help to make the the Fest a wonderful experience for everyone!
Thanks to the Bemidji Boxing Club for their dedication and volunteering to help with the “heavy lifting” this year and in years past. If you or your organization is interested in volunteering for the 2026 or 2027 Festival, please call or email to watermark@paulbunyan.net.
