Posted December 27, 2025
The St. Croix Art Festival has been a staple in Hudson. Bringing in many different artists from all over the country, performing live music, providing a wide variety of vendors, and creating a wonderful environment for 17 years now. With over 50 different artists to share their art with the people around. Art comes in so many different ways and this festival displayed that in so many different forms. From paintings and photos to sculpting metal, making soap, ceramics, homemade hammocks, loads of different handcrafted jewelry. This festival isn’t just a good way for artists to make money, but also share their art, culture, and message that they are trying to send with their art. Attendees had the opportunity to explore the festival and engage with various artists about their work and experiences at the event.
Kerri Norman is an artist who makes and sells various types of jewelry. She makes and designs lots of handcrafted jewelry with sterling silver and various minerals. When asked if she had been to this festival before she said, “many many times.” She then explained how she goes all over the nation going from art fair to art fair. She added that she likes this festival for how laid back and local it is. Adding that she was in Kansas City for one right before she came back for the St. Croix Art Festival. Traveling all over like that takes lots of time and money, showing how devoted to her art she is.
Brian Curski is a photographer who focuses on nature and the beauty of it. His pictures are very detailed and in depth as he captures wildlife and scenery in its natural state. These were most of the types of photos he showcased in his booth. The other sets of photos he takes are concerts and sporting events. Capturing the pure emotion and energy that comes from the band, crowd, player, or team. Curski explained that he has been to the St. Croix Art Festival once before and both times he has enjoyed his stay. He stated that he “likes the vibe” and that everyone around is “nice and friendly”. When asked if he would come and show off his art again he said “of course.”
Randy Lee is a photo encaustic artist and owner of Tin Cat Studio. Photo encaustic art is a mixed-media art technique that combines photographs with encaustic wax (made of beeswax and resin) to create a new form of layered artwork. This artwork and booth is enticing as he made signs saying you could touch the artwork. The texture of these are so very smooth, and being able to touch it gives the artwork another element as a whole. He also made note that all of the frames are made from repurposed materials, such as old cabinets and drawers. When asked if he had been to this art festival in particular, he said that “it’s been awhile”, but also stated “it’s
nice to be back.”
The St. Croix Art Festival is a great way to share and celebrate art and art styles from all over. From handcrafted rings and necklaces, to oil paintings, to wood carvings, to homemade cups and mugs, there is so much to see. This art festival brings in local artists, but also brings in artists from across the nation. This festival showcases art from a local and national scale to the people of the St. Croix area.
The article may be found online at https://uwrfjournalism.org/2025/12/creativity-culture-and-connection-at-the-st-croix-art-festival/.