FEE: $25 | If you are NOT selling goods and only wish to demonstrate, there is no cost.

Call for Artists & Vendors: Fish House Festival Art Market

Event Date: Friday, July 10, 2026
Location: New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, MN

Artists, makers, and bakers are invited to participate in the Fish House Festival Art Market as part of the 12th Annual Fish House Festival in New York Mills.

This family-friendly community event transforms Main Avenue into a vibrant, pedestrian-only celebration of art, culture, and community. The festival includes live art demonstrations, an outdoor market, music, food, and activities for all ages.

Artists are a key part of what makes this event special, and additional participants are always welcome to join.

Participation Details:

• Open to artists, makers, and bakers

• Vendor fee: $25 | If you are NOT selling goods and only wish to demonstrate, there is no cost.

• Opportunity to sell artwork and handmade goods

• Optional raffle donation to support future Cultural Center programming

Interested participants are encouraged to register early to ensure space availability.

To register or learn more:
https://kulcher.org/
Or contact info@kulcher.org or 218-385-3339

FEE: Free & Open to the Public

Printmaking Art Table with Paul Johnson

April 25 – November 7, 2026 | Various Viking Library System Locations

Presented by Kaddatz Galleries in partnership with the Viking Library System, the Printmaking Art Table invites community members of all ages to explore the creative process of printmaking through a series of free drop-in workshops across the region.

Participants will design and carve their own personalized print using soft linoleum (adults) or create prints using impressed styrofoam techniques (youth). This fun and approachable activity introduces participants to reductive printmaking, inking a plate, registering prints, and experimenting with creative design in a welcoming community setting.

Workshops are led by artist and educator Paul Johnson, former Communication Art and Design instructor at Alexandria Technical & Community College. Johnson is the creator of Paul Johnson Design & Illustration, muralist for the Concordia Christmas Concert, and former corporate artist for Banner Health System in Fargo, North Dakota.

Workshop Schedule:

Saturday, April 25, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Pelican Rapids Public Library, Pelican Rapids, MN

Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Douglas County Library, Alexandria, MN

Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wheaton Community Library, Wheaton, MN

Saturday, June 13, 2026 | 12:30 – 2:30 PM
Morris Public Library, Morris, MN

Saturday, July 18, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Perham Area Public Library, Perham, MN

Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Glenwood Public Library, Glenwood, MN

Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
New York Mills Public Library, New York Mills, MN

Saturday, November 7, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thorson Memorial Library, Elbow Lake, MN

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through the Lakes Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.

FEE: Free

Before We Were Happy:
2026 Annual Adult Regional Show

May 26 – July 3, 2026 | New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, New York Mills, MN

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center presents its 2026 Annual Adult Regional Show, Before We Were Happy. Inspired by this year’s Great American Think-Off question, the exhibition invites regional artists to explore complex ideas and personal perspectives through visual art.

A special reception celebrating both the exhibiting artists and the Great American Think-Off finalists will take place on Friday, June 12, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. This free community event offers an opportunity to engage with thought-provoking artwork while enjoying conversation and connection with artists, thinkers, and community members.

The exhibition will be on view from May 26 through July 3, 2026.

FEE: $25

Call for Artists & Vendors: Pickletoberfest Outdoor Market

Event Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026 Location: Main Avenue, New York Mills, MN

Artists, makers, bakers, and creative businesses are invited to participate in the Outdoor Market at the 3rd Annual NYM Pickletoberfest — a free community celebration hosted by Continental Divide Brew Pub and NYM Cultural Center. Vendor booths are $25 each, first-come, first-served.

To register, call 218-385-3339 or email info@kulcher.org.

FEE: $50 per child | $100 family maximum | Teens and adults participate free

Scholarships available

2026 Kalevala Puppet Pageant Community Workshops

Dates: August 10–20, 2026
Location: The Barn, New York Mills Sculpture Park (with select rehearsals and performances at other locations)

Youth, teens, adults, and families are invited to participate in the 17th Annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant, an annual community theater experience based on stories from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala.

Led by Creative Director Anne Sawyer, this immersive program gives participants the opportunity to explore acting, puppet and prop building, costume design, storytelling, and optional stilt walking while preparing for two public performances later in August.

Participants will take part in a series of workshops beginning Monday, August 10, 2026, with daily sessions, optional evening workshops, rehearsals, and performance preparation.

Who Can Participate

• Ages 5 and up

• Children under age 7 must be accompanied by an adult or older sibling

• Teens and adults are welcome

Cost

• $50 per child

• $100 family maximum

• Teens and adults participate free

• Scholarships available

Volunteers and community helpers are also welcome.

To register or learn more, contact info@kulcher.org or call 218-385-3339.

FEE: Friday- Free will donation | Saturday- $5 adult gate donation; children under 16 free

2026 Kalevala Puppet Pageant Performances

Dates: Friday, August 21 & Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location: New York Mills VFW / Finn Creek Open Air Museum

The 17th Annual Kalevala Puppet Pageant returns this August with two public performances celebrating community theater, Finnish heritage, and large-scale puppet performance.

Created and narrated by Anne Sawyer and performed by youth and community members from the New York Mills region, this original street theater production is inspired by stories from the Finnish national epic, the Kalevala.

Performance Schedule

• Friday, August 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM
  New York Mills VFW Post 3289
  Presented during the NYM Corn Feed
  Free to attend

• Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 12:00 PM
  Finn Creek Open Air Museum
  Presented during Finn Creek Festival
  $5 adult gate donation; children under 16 free

Free will donations will be accepted at both performances to help support this community arts experience.

For more information, contact info@kulcher.org or call 218-385-3339.