Come to Monona this June for the Harry Whitehorse International Wood Sculpture Festival - an amazing international event featuring artists from Turkey, France, Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Yukon Territory, Switzerland, Peru, Ukraine, and the Diné nation.

Watch the incredible process as these artists transform huge trees collected by Monona Parks & Recreation and local tree companies into beautiful pieces of art from the shade of hand-built wigwams.

This week-long festival will also feature Ho-Chunk Color Guard, the Thundercloud Singers, and Wisconsin Dells Dancers at the opening ceremony, a traditional Peruvian style Pachamanca dinner buried and cooked below ground with Mundo Esperanza, Chicago-based Blues musicians Cash Box Kings, a day of local musicians with Make Music Monona from Monona East Side Business Alliance, demonstrations by Ho-Chunk artists and craftsmen, and many more events throughout the week.

This event was envisioned by Gene Delcourt and passionately created by a group of dedicated volunteers. The festival is in honor of Ho-Chunk artist, Harry Whitehorse, Gene's mentor and world-renowned Monona sculptor and painter.

This is the first invitational International Festival ever dedicated to an indigenous person. It brings global culture to our neighborhood and creates connections with community, indigenous and international artists in a way that’s never been done before.

The festival will be held at San Damiano Monona, where guests can take in the natural beauty of the property’s small arboretum of trees, variety of native and migratory wildlife and a natural spring, all on the shores of Lake Monona. San Damiano is also culturally significant and has a rich history and close connection to the Ho-Chunk Nation. 

Mark your calendars for June 14-22, this is one event you won't want to miss!