Mission:

Valuing a vibrant community, the Watermark Art Center’s mission is to nurture the growth, development of, and access to the visual arts in Northern Minnesota.

Vision:

Watermark Art Center strives to increase art awareness by:

serving as an arts communication network

providing an arts facility for the community and artists

presenting and sponsoring quality art exhibits

organizing art festivals

generating active community participation

coordinating with other art organizations for a stronger arts community

About Us:

Watermark Art Center (WAC) is a non-profit, member-supported organization dedicated to encouraging the growth and development of art in our community. Watermark provides gallery space for exhibitions, author readings, and  workshops. We display national, regional, and local artists in group exhibits, solo shows, and installations.

Watermark began as the Bemidji Community Arts Center (BCAC). We were founded in 1982 after a merger between The Bemidji Community Arts Council, Inc. (established in 1970) and the Bemidji Art Center Association. In October of 2012, the BCAC purchased the former Lakeside Luekens grocery store located across the street from its previous home in the historic Carnegie Library on the shores of Lake Bemidji. In February of 2014, the BCAC changed its name to the Watermark Art Center (WMAC). Work is now being done to raise funds to convert the former Lakeside Luekens into the new Watermark Art Center.

Watermark is proud to serve as a resource for the artist, art enthusiast, art buyer, and community as a whole.