Opening Weekend
September 12–13, 10 AM

201 N Sibley Street, St. Paul, MN

September 12: Live Mosaic Installation | 10 AM—until installation is complete

  • Forty-seven 4' × 4' artworks will be wheat-pasted onto the wall by 201 N Sibley Street (E 2nd street between Sibley and Jackson).

  • 10 AM: Witness art-making in motion, and interact with artists, in a safe, festive environment. Have a snack as you regard the installation, from near and from afar then linger to chat about it.

  • 11 AM: Opening ceremony, featuring statements and a musical performance to open festival by Micah Nickey, Sicangu Lakota and a member of the Mississippi Brand of Choctaw Indians, a traditional singer and storyteller.

  • Noon-4 PM: Enjoy diverse, vivid musical scapes courtesy of bousayha (Anniessa Antar), a multidisciplinary artist and DJ whose practices center the power of sensory, playful and collective work to make liberation irresistible.

  • The site remains barricaded through September 13.

September 13: Completed Installation—until October 11.

The commissioned artists work across photography, painting, printmaking, sculpture, fiber arts, digital media, performance, and collaborative practice. The Wakpa Triennial's commissioning model centers equity. Some are emerging; others are established. Some are formally trained; others are self-taught. They represent diverse neighborhoods, generations, and artistic traditions.

Full Day Activation
September 19

Raspberry Island, Saint Paul, MN

Hearts Open: Flower Power | Sunrise to Sunset
Oyate Hotanin's all-day gathering—a celebration of Dakota presence. Bring cut flowers anytime to enhance our impermanent art installation.

2026 Sidewalk Poetry Reading | 10 AM – 2 PM
Hear poems centering water and community voices. Please RSVP to attend!

river ~ reverence ~ raft | 2 PM – 4 PM
Work with artist Gita Ghei to learn about freshwater mussels. Create interactive offerings to the river's health.

Circle, Music & Poetry | 4 PM – 5 PM
Join Buffalo Dreamers & Oyate Hotanin for an acoustic set of musical poetry of Dakota sound.