Minnesota’s Franconia Sculpture Park Welcomes Travelers For 29th Annual Art Celebration Inspiring Memorable Cultural Journeys

On September 20, 2025, travelers to Minnesota can immerse themselves in an event that blends community, culture, and creativity. Franconia Sculpture Park in Shafer opens its 50-acre landscape for the 29th annual Art + Artists Celebration. For tourists seeking more than sightseeing, this festival provides a direct look into contemporary art making, Indigenous perspectives, and the voices shaping one of the Midwest’s most unique cultural attractions.

Visitors often know Franconia as a year-round museum under open skies, located about an hour north of Minneapolis–St. Paul. Yet, during this annual September gathering, the grounds transform into a living stage, where artists, residents, and travelers connect in a shared experience that goes far beyond viewing sculpture.

The theme this year is Two Eyed Sight, an idea that balances Indigenous and Western knowledge. Visitors will be able to see how artists interpret this concept in large-scale works scattered across the grounds.

Artist-astronomer Annette S. Lee brings her reflective exhibition Ancient Echoes: Keepers of the Sky, which blends sound, science, and Indigenous traditions about the cosmos. At the same time, five artists-in-residence will present sculptures inspired by the park’s natural surroundings and cultural conversations.

Curatorial direction by Lakota photographer and educator Jaida Grey Eagle guides the day’s experiences, adding another thoughtful dimension for those eager to understand art through both cultural and personal storytelling.

For tourists, these aren’t passive displays. Attendees can engage with live artist talks, take guided tours, or explore hands-on workshops designed to make art both accessible and participatory. The aim is simple: every visitor leaves with a deeper connection to expression and place.

For travelers planning a Minnesota itinerary, this celebration stands out as a truly immersive cultural stop. Unlike traditional museums, Franconia’s expansive setting allows guests to roam freely across rolling fields dotted with more than 100 outdoor installations.

The September event adds an extra layer of vitality, turning the park into a dynamic social gathering. Families picnic among towering sculptures, communities meet on walking paths, and tourists discover why Franconia welcomes over 150,000 visitors annually.

The experience moves far beyond the visual. The combination of landscapes, new artwork, and cultural storytelling offers travelers a rare chance to see how contemporary art can shape, question, and celebrate both environment and identity.

The Art + Artists Celebration is free of charge, removing barriers for families, student travelers, or international tourists passing through Minnesota. The event runs throughout the day, giving guests plenty of time to explore new installations.

Visitors may bring their own picnic baskets or sample refreshments at Franconia Commons, a gathering space within the park. Children are encouraged to join, ensuring that the festival remains family-friendly.

The event takes place at:Franconia Sculpture Park, 29836 St. Croix Trail N, Shafer, Minnesota.

Its easy accessibility from the Twin Cities makes it an attractive half-day or full-day excursion for those traveling through Minnesota’s scenic St. Croix River Valley.

While September highlights creativity in motion, Franconia Sculpture Park is not only about one day in late summer. For those who miss the celebration, the park remains open year-round. Travelers can wander through evolving installations, discover new fellowships supported by institutions such as the Terra Foundation for American Art, or join other public programs designed to engage communities in conversation.

For cultural tourists, Franconia offers a rare opportunity in today’s fast-travel culture: time to pause, walk the land, and experience art within nature’s rhythm. Few destinations combine landscape, education, and community engagement with such authenticity.

Travelers often seek destinations that create stories, not simply photographs. Franconia’s Art + Artists Celebration offers just that. By engaging directly with artists, visitors step inside an evolving dialogue about culture and environment. By touring installations framed by Minnesota skies, travelers not only witness sculpture but embody the encounter.

Tourism thrives when it offers transformation. At Franconia Sculpture Park this September, art and travel converge into an unforgettable experience. For those seeking new cultural horizons in the Midwest, this gathering provides both insight and inspiration in equal measure.