In the fall and winter of 2007, a group of artists from Bend, led by Carla and Dave Fox, began exploring the idea of an art show for Central Oregon. They believed the region could support such an event—the economy was booming (though that wouldn't last)—and they had the experience and expertise to make it happen. At first, it was just a fun idea, not something they expected to turn into a lot of work.

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The first decisions were practical: when, where, and what to name the show. The group chose the weekend before Art in the Pearl to attract artists traveling from afar. One artist suggested they check out the grassy area across from the Old Mill District, and when they did, they asked if they could host a show there. To their surprise, the answer was yes.

Next, they needed to settle on a name. They wanted something that reflected the unique location, and settled on "Art in the High Desert," which seemed to capture the spirit of Central Oregon’s landscape. With their location and name decided, planning began in earnest. They formed a board, created a nonprofit organization, and got to work. Each of the five board members loaned the show $200 to get it off the ground, without considering grants or outside funding. They were eager to get started without any bureaucratic hurdles.

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The initial funds were used to print rack cards and postcards that conveyed the show’s goal: a high-quality art and craft event with a clear focus. They chose not to include side attractions like music, kids' activities, or wine and beer tastings—anything that might detract from the core mission of showcasing artists’ work. This decision helped keep the event simple and focused, which in turn made the logistics of running the show more manageable.

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Throughout the spring and summer of 2008, the group attended other art shows, distributing their postcards and talking to artists about their upcoming event. They emphasized that the West Coast needed a new, top-tier show that was all about the art. The response from artists was positive, and they began spreading the word through artist forums on Facebook. Zapplication was chosen as the jury software, which allowed the group to manage submissions and build a mailing list for future events.

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By the time applications opened, the show was still running on the original $1,000 loan. Only once jury fees started coming in did the show generate enough revenue to pay back the loans and keep planning the event.

In the first round, they received 351 applications and juried in 115 artists—more than they had anticipated. As they learned the ropes of organizing a show, they decided to give a special artist gift to each of the inaugural participants as a thank-you for taking a chance on the new event. This was an unusual gesture, one that set the tone for the kind of show they hoped to create.

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When the first show opened in 2008, they were uncertain whether anyone would attend. But to their delight, the crowds arrived. Patrons were so impressed with the quality of the artwork that they stepped out of the flow of foot traffic to call their friends and say, “This isn’t just a street craft fair—it’s real art! Come and see, and bring your credit card!”

The booth fees covered expenses, allowed them to repay the board members’ loans, and left a small amount to start planning for 2009. Over the years, the show grew, attracting more applications and garnering praise from artists and arts organizations both in and outside of Central Oregon. By the time Art in the High Desert was ranked among the top 10 art shows in the U.S. (according to USA Today in 2023), it had firmly established itself as a prestigious event.

However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the show was forced to pause. After two years of shutdowns, Dave and Carla decided it was time to step away from the event, leaving artists and the Central Oregon community disappointed but understanding.

 

In the fall of 2022, a new board of working artists decided to relaunch the show with a fresh, collaborative approach. With the advent of Zoom, the group was able to stay connected and plan the new iteration of the show. Unfortunately, the original location at the Old Mill District was no longer available, as it had transformed into a music venue. The 2023 show was held at the Deschutes Expo Center, a beautiful site with ample parking, restrooms, and built-in utilities. While the new venue received positive feedback, both artists and patrons expressed a desire for Art in the High Desert to return to Bend.

 

After an extensive search, a new location for the 2024 show was secured: Riverbend Park, just a stone's throw from the original site. With a few schedule tweaks to fit into a strict three-day window, everything fell in place for the event.

 

We are proud to announce that Riverbend Park is our home going forward, and we are thrilled to bring Art in the High Desert back to Bend!