BEMIDJI — Bemidji is known for a few things: being the birthplace of Paul Bunyan, its abundant outdoor recreation, and being the first city on the Mississippi.

Another thing Bemidji should be known for? Its vibrant downtown art scene.

For 26 years, local artists have been able to showcase their creations in Bemidji's Sculpture Walk, a program that features art in the heart of the city with new sculptures added each year. This year, 10 new sculptures were placed, all of them available for purchase.

“I really love our walk here,” Bemidji artist Tim Nelsen said in 2023. “I think it’s just a fantastic thing to have a sculpture walk in our own backyard. I don’t think people here realize how unique that is.”

The tradition was started by Al and Cate Belleveau in 1999, who were involved with

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