Editor’s Note: This story was initially published in the Pioneer’s Summer 2026 edition of inBemidji Magazine. To see the full issue, click
Rita Poulton enjoys art. She likes to paint with watercolors and do rosemaling. But the Bemidji woman says she’s always up for learning something new.
So she joined seven other adventurous souls this past winter for a six-hour class on welding.
“It’s easier to paint,” Rita said with a laugh. “But I wanted to try a different art form. It’s fun to try something new and different.”
Sculpture Walk committee member Rita Poulton helps with the installation of a piece called “Flower Power” at the corner of Third Street and Irvine Avenue. Rita also took part in the welding class for beginners.
Photo by Dennis Doeden
The class was put on by the Bemidji Sculpture Walk, with board president Dave Close, Sculpture Walk founder Al Belleveau and jack-of-all-trades Roger Loyson as teachers. It was held at Roger’s shop.
“The idea was to introduce more people to welding, with the idea that maybe some will progress and get to the point where they can actually join the Sculpture Walk,” Dave said. “The intent is really to get them over their initial apprehension and fear.”
That’s exactly what happened to Rita, who serves on the Sculpture Walk board.
“There’s really a lot to it, and you need to be safe,” Rita said. “In the past, I’ve seen people do welding, and I’ve always thought that’s something I could never do. But they were very, very good teachers. I guess I didn’t know how dangerous it could be. But it’s a good thing to know that you have to really take your time and think about it and be safe. So I think I could do it again, which is good.”
Al Belleveau, left, and Dave Close teach welding techniques during a six-hour class at Roger Loyson’s shop. The class was intended to introduce novices to the art of welding.
Photo by Dennis Doeden
She’s not ready to produce anything that might make it to the Sculpture Walk, but Rita certainly earned a lot of appreciation for the artists who do.
“I’ve always been amazed by these big sculptures that are on the walk, but knowing a little bit of what goes behind it made me appreciate it even more,” she said.
She also enjoyed the social aspect of the class, although most of the day was spent with helmets on heads.
“I really enjoyed actually doing it myself,” Rita shared, “but I also enjoyed doing it with other people and talking to them, collaborating with all the other people who were there.”
Dave said that although the class was limited to one six-hour session, he was impressed with the results.
“I think everybody was very happy with it,” he said. “We got them all welding. That was pretty good for only six hours. Now they’ve been asking about what they can do next. So they want to actually build something of their own, even if it’s small, so when they go home, they have something.”
He said he was impressed with how quickly the attendees got over their apprehension and fear of dealing with fire in their hands.
“We basically had them running lines and beads,” Dave said. “They tried to make a few little things, but we weren’t really set up to make anything big. That would be a week-long class.”
Under the watchful eye of instructor Dave Close, left, Glory Hill tries her hand at welding during the class.
Photo by Dennis Doeden
Dave said everyone there indicated they would be interested in going to the next level.
“We haven’t designed the next class yet,” he added. “But I think they will be working on their own pieces. And then if we were to do a third one, we’d love to have them do a group build of something big that would then go out on the Sculpture Walk. Or we could donate it to the Boys and Girls Club for their fundraising auction. That would be kind of fun.”
Rita plans to help with welding demonstrations at the Watermark Art Festival on July 18-19 as the Sculpture Walk committee continues its quest to develop new artists.
“Kids are going to actually get a chance to do some welding,” she said.
She was out on the streets of downtown Bemidji in May alongside Dave and Al as the first of this year’s sculptures were placed.
Bemidji Sculpture Walk founder Al Belleveau installs a new piece of art at the corner of Third Street and Minnesota Avenue.
Photo by Dennis Doeden
“I definitely think the Sculpture Walk brings people into town and gets them outside walking around and looking at art,” Rita said. “And the fact that it gets replaced with new pieces every year means it’s constantly changing. People come to see what’s out there this year.
“I think Bemidji is a great arts community for such a small town. I think we do spectacular work.”
Dave says he can relate to the newbies. He was introduced to welding when he was a freshman at Bemidji High School, and although he enjoyed it, he quit welding when he graduated.
About 30 years later, Dave bought himself new welding equipment and rekindled his interest in the art. He dabbles in it, but sees his role with the Sculpture Walk committee as a facilitator.
“I don’t call myself a welder,” he said. “I’m not good at it. I’m more of an organizer, and I get the funding.”
Dave said welders/sculptors like Al, Roger and Tim Nelsen “do the cool stuff,” while he helps cover the bases to keep the Sculpture Walk going.
Humpty Dumpy sits on a stack of books in this new 2026 Sculpture Walk offering at the corner of Third Street and Minnesota Avenue. It’s conveniently installed near the Books and More store.
Photo by Dennis Doeden
About the Bemidji Sculpture Walk
Since 1999, Bemidji’s Sculpture Walk has displayed work by local, regional and national artists throughout downtown, with new works added to the program every year. More than two dozen sculptures created by well-known artists make for a beautiful and interesting hike through the streets downtown.
Each sculpture is carefully chosen, and many reflect some aspect of Minnesota life. The sculpture walk is free and changes annually, inviting new reasons to go back often. Supported by the community and curated by volunteers, the art walk is a favorite Bemidji attraction. Begin your tour at the Tourist Information Center, where free parking and maps are available.
The tradition was started by Al and Cate Belleveau in 1999, who were involved with what is now the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji. They wanted to display and showcase local artists downtown with the theme of “Minnesota: its people, its diverse culture, its legends and its natural beauty.”
They were inspired by a similar program in Grand Junction, Colorado, called Art on the Corner, one of the first outdoor sculpture programs in the United States. The Sculpture Walk mirrors Art on the Corner by cycling in new sculptures every year, allowing new creations to be displayed and giving visitors something fresh to see each year.
Along with returning pieces that spend 2-3 years displayed on the Sculpture Walk, most pieces in the permanent collection, murals around town, and special works like the Shaynowishkung (Chief Bemidji) statue in Library Park and Veterans Memorial in the Greenwood Cemetery may also be found on the Art Map.
The sculpture “Patent Pending” by local artist Tim Nelsen sat in front of Tara Thai at the corner of Fourth Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue in downtown Bemidji during the 2025 Sculpture Walk.
Photo by Annalise Braught