Arts and Culture

Wadena County's creative spirit celebrates peole, places, and traditions

 

Perhaps the first artistic waypoint local residents point to for the area’s artistic displays is the Murals of Minnesota, considered the largest picture puzzle in the world. More than 20 murals painted by local artists decorate buildings in downtown Wadena that reflect the cultural history of the area. The murals have various themes of famous characters, wildlife, scenery, immigrants to America and more in several styles, including paintings, mosaics, and mixed media art.


Green Island Preserve is an outdoor nature preserve built on artist Kent Scheer’s childhood family farm. The preserve includes several nature trails weaving through the landscape with artistic pieces like sculptures, experimental orchards, wildflowers and a special hut for meditation, termed a Kuti, located throughout the property and open to the public.


Five Wings Art Council 
The New York Mills Arts Retreat and Regional Center is a multidisciplinary arts organization dedicated to expanding the cultural and creative opportunities for rural Americans for three decades. Its notable events include the Great American Think-Off, a philosophy essay contest and live debate held on the second Saturday of June annually, the July Fish House Festival, an annual large-scale street theater Puppet Pageant in August and the Longest Night Music Festival celebrating the Winter Solstice. Other attractions include a year-round performing arts series, historic gallery, classes, workshops and The Arts Retreat, an artist residency program which offers 2-6 week stays for artists of all disciplines.


Wadena’s Northern Pacific Passenger Depot is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was a railway station operated by Northern Pacific Railway from 1915 to 1971. It was restored in 2008 to include a visitor center, railroad museum and event venue.


The Wadena County Historical Society operates a museum in Wadena with Native American, railroad, military and other historical displays. It also includes a research library and genealogy center for the area. 
Constructed in 1934, the Wadena Memorial Auditorium is utilized by the Wadena Madhatters Community Theater group, Wadena-Deer Creek High School Drama, Wadena Concert Association, Community Concert Band and Choir and more. The Auditorium has been renovated to showcase the original motif of the Native American design art-deco painting proscenium, walls and lobby ceilings in combination with new seating, curtains, lighting, sound systems, thrust stage, carpeted floor treatments, public restrooms, dressing rooms for the performing artists, storage and stage construction rooms.

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