BEMIDJI — Visitors to Bemidji’s downtown may have recently noticed some shiny new artwork gracing over a dozen street corners.
A total of 19 new pieces were installed by dedicated board members and volunteers in early June as part of this year’s Bemidji Sculpture Walk, marking its 27th year of beautifying downtown.
The sculpture “Mer/Man” by Andrew Pudas is located outside of Tutto Bene at the corner of Third Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
The 15 official additions, along with four special contributions, join about two dozen pieces that are permanently on display, spanning all of downtown, according to Tim Nelsen, board member and regular contributor to the walk.
New this year, one of the sculptures, “Bam Bam” by Canadian sculptor Jordan Bouchard, is located inside the myBemidji store.
Jordan Bouchard’s sculpture “Bam Bam” sits inside myBemidji, located at 301 Bemidji Ave. N in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
There is also a sculpture titled “Rusty” on the walk that was made by a 12-year-old sculptor named Vera Whiting from Falcon Heights, Minnesota, as part of the emerging artist feature.
“We were excited to receive a submission from such a young artist, and we are grateful to be able to share her work with everyone,” Nelsen said.
The sculpture “Rusty” created by 12-year-old Vera Whiting is situated at the corner of Third Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Whiting is also happy to have the opportunity to participate in the walk.
“I want to become a well-known painter and sculptor,” Whiting said, “these are my first steps to becoming one.”
Nelsen noted that in an effort to reduce costs and the walk’s carbon footprint, there will not be printed brochures this year, however, QR codes are available at each sculpture that can be scanned to take visitors to an artist profile page at
“We are also presently working on getting a large-scale map installed in some of the blue kiosks downtown,” he added.
Milligan Studio’s sculpture “Will Weaver” sits at the corner of Fifth Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue across from the Beltrami County Courthouse in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
All of the pieces on the sculpture walk are for sale, and anyone interested can visit the website for more information.
“(Visitor’s) interest and participation help us create meaningful experiences in our downtown for residents and visitors alike,” the website reads. “Thank you for visiting the walk and sharing your personal experiences with the public art community.”
For updates throughout the year, follow Bemidji Sculpture Walk on
and
Mark Hall’s sculpture “Sun Corner” sits at Fourth Street Northwest along Paul Bunyan Drive in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
“The Moon Dreaming of Itself” by Milligan Studio sits outside Wild Hare Bistro at the corner of Sixth Street Northwest and Minnesota Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Steve Kost’s sculpture “Prince Nemo” is situated at the corner of Third Street Northwest and Minnesota Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Stu Beavers’ sculpture “Stream Rambler” is situated at the corner of Fourth Street Northwest and Minnesota Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
The sculpture “Founding Feathers” by Andrew Pudas sits in front of Tara Thai at the corner of Fourth Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Josh Daily’s sculpture “Pierre” sits in front of Raphael’s Bakery along Minnesota Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
The sculpture “Reflective Shadow” created by Vic Rouleau sits at the corner of Sixth Street Northwest and Minnesota Avenue across from the Beltrami County Law Enforcement Center in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
The sculpture “Alegria” by Sue Suess sits in front of Patterson’s Clothing at the corner of Third Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
The sculpture “Throw You For a Whirl” by Vic Rouleau is situated along Sixth Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue outside the Beltrami County Courthouse in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Keith Raivo’s sculpture “Flower Power” sits outside of Harmony Natural Foods Co-op at the corner of Third Street Northwest and Irvine Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
The sculpture “A Sum of Its Parts” created by Chris Gustafson sits at the corner of Fourth Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
The sculpture “Good Boy” by Keith Raivo is located outside of Lucky Dogs at the corner of Second Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
The sculpture “Turtle Stack” by Roger Loyson and Antonio Moreno is situated at the corner of Fourth Street Northwest and Beltrami Avenue in downtown Bemidji.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
The sculpture “Mating Dance” created by Vic Rouleau is situated outside of Bemidji City Hall along Fourth Street Northwest.
Annalise Braught / Bemidji Pioneer
Annalise is the editor and a photographer at the Bemidji Pioneer. She is a Mass Communication graduate from Bemidji State University and has a Supervisory Management degree from Northwest Technical College. Her favorite pastime is exploring the great outdoors and capturing its natural beauty on camera. Contact Annalise at (218) 333-9796 or abraught@bemidjipioneer.com.