As the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made this event a tremendous success.

First and foremost, we would like to express our profound gratitude to the Ho-Chunk people and the Ho-Chunk Nation. Your invaluable support and assistance in planning the festival were instrumental in its success. We deeply appreciate the opportunity to honor the fact that this is Ho-Chunk ancestral land and to share the Ho-Chunk people’s rich cultural heritage. Harry Whitehorse, a proud Ho-Chunk veteran, drew his artistic inspiration from this heritage, and it was a privilege to highlight this connection through the festival.

We extend our deepest appreciation to the community of Monona and the surrounding areas. Your active participation and return visits were the heart and soul of this festival. This event was created for you, to bring communities together, and your enthusiasm and engagement made it all worthwhile.

I want to express our gratitude to the City of Monona for their ongoing support and the Little Eagle Arts Foundation for allowing us to exhibit traditional Ho-Chunk arts and crafts. These artistic traditions played a vital role in Harry Whitehorse’s early development as an artist.

We also want to express our gratitude to the steering committee members Gene Delcourt, Stacy Levin, Janice Rice, Jon Thundercloud, Pat Howell, and Nancy Moore, as well as our dedicated event organizer Jane Schroeder. Your dedication and hard work were crucial to the festival’s success.

Our sincere thanks go out to the wonderful volunteers whose efforts were indispensable, our funders and in-kind donors, and the community restaurants that provided food for our artists. This was indeed a grassroots effort, and it couldn’t have happened without your generous contributions.

One of the most frequently asked questions is, “Where will the sculptures go?” We are excited to announce that five will be placed at Olbrich Botanical Gardens for a one-year exhibit. We are working out the details for the remaining sculptures and will update you once the locations are finalized.

Finally, we are thrilled to announce that we will be holding another Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival in 2026. We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to once again come together to celebrate art, culture, and community.

Thank you all for being a part of this extraordinary event. Stay tuned for more updates; we can’t wait to see you in 2026!

Deb Whitehorse
June 26, 2024

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 2026!
JUNE 19 – 27, 2026
Dates: The festival will take place from June 14 – 22, 2024
Opening Ceremony: June 14 @ 5 PM
Artist Working Hours: June 15 – 21 @ 9 AM – 5 PM , June 22 Closing Ceremony 10AM with Community Potluck to Follow
CLOSING CEREMONY TIME HAS BEEN CHANGED TO 10AM!
Closing Ceremony & Reception: June 22 @ 10AM with Community Potluck to Follow
Location: The festival will be held at scenic San Damiano Monona on Lake Monona in Monona, Wisconsin. The address is 4123 Monona Drive, Monona, WI Map
Duration: The festival spans a week, offering attendees ample opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of wood sculpting.
Activities: Attendees can expect a diverse range of activities, including:

• Live wood sculpting demonstrations by renowned artists.
• Cultural performances, food vendors, and live entertainment create a vibrant and festive atmosphere.

Accessibility: The festival is open to all ages and is designed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone interested in art and culture. The festival takes place on the grass lawn of San Damiano.
Tickets: Free tickets are available on Event Brite.

The Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival, in partnership with the Friends of San Damiano, will unite renowned artists worldwide for a week-long residency in Monona, Wisconsin, in an outdoor setting on Lake Monona. They will create captivating sculptures, showcase their previous works, and engage with the community during their stay.

This festival is significant culturally and artistically because it is the first international festival dedicated to an indigenous person, honoring the legacy of the late Monona, Wisconsin, and Ho-Chunk Nation sculptor Harry Whitehorse. Through wood sculpting, it fosters cultural exchange, promotes indigenous arts, and celebrates the natural beauty of San Damiano Monona.

What sets this festival apart is its fusion of tradition and innovation, combining contemporary and traditional wood sculpting techniques. The emphasis on international collaboration and indigenous artistry adds a rich layer of diversity and cultural exchange. The festival’s setting on the picturesque shores of Lake Monona, coupled with its interactive programming and community engagement initiatives, creates a truly immersive and unforgettable experience for attendees.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: debwhitehorse@gmail.com