Bend Becomes Art Mecca In August

Less than a year ago hosting a top-tier art festival in Bend was not much more than a concept. However, on August 22 through the 24th the concept becomes a reality with the first annual Art in the High Desert Festival, scheduled for the Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon.

“When we began planning the festival we knew that we wanted it to represent the work of some of the best artists in the country,” explained Carla Fox, the Festival Director “However, we were uncertain if a first-year festival would attract the attention of those artists who are in demand at other art events”

Carla’s apprehension was rapidly appeased when 350 artists from 27 states and Canada applied to be in the Festival. “It was not just the number of artists who applied, but the quality of art they were offering was amazing.”

With space available for only 110 artists, the Festival Board turned to a four-member jury to narrow the field of applicants. “We presented the jury with an extremely difficult and challenging task given the caliber of those who applied,” Fox said describing the jury process that took place April 5th and 6th.

The result is that the Art in the High Desert Festival promises to make Bend, Oregon the state's art capital on the weekend of August 22-24, 2008.

Artist applications for 2008 are now CLOSED. Keep us on your calendar for next year!

NEW! For a Google Map and directions to Art in the High Desert click here,  Festival site views click here, NEW! Aerial site view click here. To learn more about Bend, Oregon from the Bend Visitors Bureau click here. To download a .pdf press release about Bend click here.


Art in the High Desert is produced by a non-profit community-based organization to support the visual arts in Central Oregon.