Art in the High Desert, the special gem of a juried art show first held in Bend in 2008, will return to its hometown starting Friday evening for a weekend full of art. After holding last year’s show in Redmond, Art in the High Desert (AHD) will return to the banks of the Deschutes River in Bend.

“A lot of patrons and a lot of artists said, ‘You really, really need to figure out a way to get it back to Bend,’” said artist and AHD board member Daryl Cox.

Putting down roots

A quick recap: Founders Carla and Dave Fox created something special 16 years ago in Bend, a gemstone’s throw from their home in Alfalfa. It was envisioned and realized as the kind of destination fine art show and sale that Carla, a jewelry maker, frequented during the season herself.

The show went like gangbusters through 2019, earning itself high rankings in the industry for artist sales — ranked 12th in the nation for sales that last year before being waylaid in 2020 and 2021 by the COVID-19 pandemic. The absence stretched to three years after the Foxes decided to step away from running the show.

“It just seemed like this is a sensible time to kind of let it fade into the darkness out there,” Dave Fox told this reporter in 2021. “It may be that down the road, there might be another possibility to put something together, once things kind of settle out, if they do in our lifetimes.”

The move north

Just when it seemed Art in the High Desert might never locate its legs, that possibility presented itself in 2023, and AHD roared back last summer in its usual late-August slot, albeit not in its former Old Mill District location — a grassy patch on the west bank of the Deschutes River across from the shopping district.

Since the last show in 2019, expansion and upgrade at nearby Hayden Homes Amphitheater has eaten up some of the real estate — the grassy area is now home to a 300-bike rack. The show migrated north to the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond.

It was, according to Cox, a great location in many ways, including its spaciousness and plentiful parking. But to some of the public and artists juried into the show, it just didn’t have the same ambiance as its previous setting.

A river runs near it

When they heard the response from the artists and attendees urging them to head south again, Cox and other members of the nonprofit’s board listened.

“We all kind of recognized that it’s important to keep this event here,” Cox said. “We are very much art focused. We don’t have a kid area and facepainting and a music stage. Its sole purpose is to bring in the highest caliber art that we can into Central Oregon, and just provide that level of service.”

This year, art show will be held in Riverbend Park, just across Columbia Street and a smidge west of its old home in the Old Mill proper.

There is a slight change in the schedule as a result. Rather than three full days of art, opening day, Friday, will be shortened to four hours, from 5 to 9 p.m.

That’s because Bend Park & Recreation District will only turn off irrigation for up to three days, explained Cox, and so rather than doing so in the days leading to show’s opening, booths — the look of which, along with the art, the jury also takes into consideration during that process — will be set up on Friday.

“The word back that we’re hearing is ‘That’s awesome. We’re so happy that you’re back,’” Cox said. “We had more artists apply for the show this year than last year, which is a good sign. The community involvement has been incredible.”

An example: Oregon State University-Cascades will put up artists in campus dorms at a more affordable price and less than a mile from Riverbend Park. Given it’s high summer, the dorms are a welcome alternative to more costly accommodations.

Artists and their work

About 140 artists are coming to Bend from 39 states, and a couple hail from Canada. Several work in two mediums and thus have two booths, Cox said. Some artists are veterans of the show; others were juried in for their first time.

Name a medium, and some fine examples of it will likely be found in Riverbend Park this weekend. Cox rattles them off “We have 2D mixed-media, 3D mixed-media, drawings, ceramics, digital art, sculpture, metal works, wearables, fiber arts, photography, painting and wood.”

“Somebody’s going to kill me if I forgot their medium,” he added, laughing.

Of course, you could always head down this weekend and find out if he has any would-be assailants. Interacting with the artists is a big part of what makes events such as Art in the High Desert a special experience.

“You can go to galleries and whatnot, but being able to talk to the actual artist that made what you’re looking at is pretty cool,” Cox said. “Getting that really good cross-section of the entire country of artists is a pretty unique thing.”

With the Mt. Joy concert that evening at nearby Hayden Homes Amphitheater, the mood should be festive, he added.

And because this year’s event won’t be in quite as close proximity of food and beverage services, Sunriver Brewing, Goody’s, Strictly Organic Coffee and New York City Subs will be on hand with provisions throughout the weekend. Dogs are discouraged from attending.

If You Go

What: 2024 Art in the High Desert

When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Where: Riverbend Park, 799 SW Columbia St., Bend

Cost: Free admission; works for sale

Contact: artinthehighdesert.com