The festival was created in 2023 with the goal of providing a showcase for Indigenous artists and artists of colour living in the Twin Cities. The second edition of the festival will feature the theme “A Moment to Cause,” encouraging artists and viewers to stop and reflect on their experiences.
There will be 50 local artists whose works will be featured in a poster mosaic along the East 2nd Street railroad underpass. This installation will be posted and revealed across the festival’s opening weekend, aiming to create an outdoor gallery along St. Paul’s waterfront. The celebration will also include a festival area with live art creation, musical performances, and displays from vendors and community organizations.
Beyond the opening weekend, there will be a month full of events and celebrations, including a public poetry reading hosted on Raspberry Island. Art festivals like this often use poster printing and other media to help display art in public spaces. The festival’s mission statement emphasizes its grassroots emphasis:
“It’s democratic art-making—open to emerging and established artists alike, created by people who live in Saint Paul, for people who live in Saint Paul.”
The 2026 Wakpa Triennial will take place at multiple locations in St. Paul from September 12 to October 11.