What to See at American Craft Fest

Banner Image: American Craft Fest 2025. Photo by Carina Lofgren.

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Union Depot holds a special place in my heart. In the fall of 2024, my husband and I took a cross-country train from Union Depot, St. Paul, to Penn Station in NYC. We took the Borealis train from St Paul to Chicago (which I recommend for everyone). It’s a beautiful ride, seven hours going through Red Wing, Winona, La Crosse, and Milwaukee. We changed trains in Chicago, which was a 20-hour ride overnight to New York City (that I would not recommend). 

All that to say, Union Depot is a Minnesota gem. On the eastern edge of downtown St. Paul in the Lowertown neighborhood, it offers an equal amount of history and charm. Since its grand opening in 1926, it has become a historic landmark. The transportation hub is celebrating its centennial year in St. Paul. The centennial celebration will take place during Train Days and Music Fest, June 6-7. In addition to transit, Union Depot also houses several businesses. If you are ever in downtown St Paul and happen to need a coffee (which I certainly did before my trip), you can stop by Lowertown Bike Shop & Coffee Station, which serves locally roasted coffee, craft drinks, and pastries.

Some great art will be hitting Union Depot this June. In the beautiful concourse and waiting room, Union Depot will house the American Craft Fest June 13-14, including hands-on activities for all ages led by local arts partners, handmade work by regional artists, and local beverages and food trucks. The American Craft Council, which is hosting the event, will celebrate its third year at the historic Union Depot in St Paul.

Because I love this stuff and because I'm an art nerd, I have to tell the vendors I’m most excited about seeing. Here are five standout artists to see at The American Craft Fest St. Paul June 13th - 14th. 

Erin Peña (location 117)

I am a sucker for beads. The time, care, and craftsmanship that goes into beadwork always blows me away. That's why I was so excited to see the incredible work by Erin Peña. Erin Peña (they/them) is a trans, nonbinary artist based in Minneapolis who creates self-supported geometric sculptures and machines with seed beads. If you go to Erin’s website, you’ll find sculptures, fidgets, and even an Art Deco–esque lampshade. Erin has shown work at Fresh Eye Gallery and SooVAC Gallery and was a 2025 Early Career Artist Residency awardee at Anderson Center at Tower View. In addition to Craft Fest, you can catch Erin in a group show at Indeed Brewing Company, called Brightside, in Minneapolis.

See more of Erin's work on her website www.erinpenaart.com and follow her on Instagram @hummingbird_knight.

 

Tulip Lariat Necklace by Erin Peña.

Third Daughter, Restless Daughter (location 421)

Third Daughter, Restless Daughter is a cross-stitch art and craft studio founded by sisters Youa and Wone Vang. I came across Third Daughter, Restless Daughter through my volunteer work at the M (Minnesota Museum of American Art) in St. Paul. The sister duo has decorated the walls of the M's restrooms—a project that is delightfully quirky and kitschy. The sisters, influenced by their grandmother’s traditional Hmong embroidery, use their love for pop culture and imagery to modernize the craft of cross-stitching. The sayings – subversive, sarcastic, and snarky – are everything you need to add some levity to your home. My favorites have to be the employees' sign and the Bowie piece. 

See more work by Third Daughter, Restless Daughter on their website 3drdcrafts.com and follow them on Instagram @3drdcrafts.

 

Employees Cry by Third Daughter, Restless Daughter.

Emily McBride (location 101)

I can't step into a craft fair without fawning over glasswork. When studying the Craft Fest lineup, Emily McBride and her Martini glasses immediately got my attention. Designer and glassblower Emily McBride creates glass objects for the home. With a collection of minimalist tableware and decor, she creates purposeful glass objects that inspire the desire to touch, use, and hold while bringing light and color into the home. You can shop her minimalist tableware and decor at Gallery 360 in Minneapolis or at Seasons Gallery in Hudson.

See more work by Emily McBride on her website emilymcbride.com and follow her on Instagram @emilymcbride.glass.

Martini Glasses - Made to Order by Emily McBride.

LOWKEN (location 313)

For sustainable upcycling, stop by LOWKEN, a clothing brand founded by Kennedy Lor. After earning a bachelor's degree in apparel design and development at the University of Wisconsin-Stout, Kennedy created LOWKEN, a modern, luxe sustainability brand transforming second-hand goods into contemporary garments. Inspired by the interplay of minimalist forms and avant-garde experimentation, the brand reimagines classic silhouettes through thoughtful draping, intricate pattern-making, and cutting-edge 3D design.

See more at www.lowken.co and follow on Instagram @lowken.co.

 

Waisted Bag 7 by LOWKEN. 

Stacy Larson Ceramics (location 110)

One thing I can never have too much of is coffee mugs, and Stacy Larson Ceramics offers plenty. Stacy creates porcelain tableware and serving sets designed for specific foods and beverages. Originally from rural Minnesota, Stacy attended Syracuse University, where she received her BFA, double majoring in ceramics and jewelry/metalsmithing. She is currently an MFA ceramics candidate at West Virginia University and the student director at large of NCECA.

You can see more of Stacy's work on her website stacylarsonceramics.com and follow her on Instagram @stacylarsonceramics.

 

Mugs by Stacy Larson Ceramics.

After some shopping, you can enjoy activities and demonstrations from local arts partners, including the Weavers Guild of Minnesota, Urban Boat Builders, MN Center for Book Arts, North House Folk School, Wormhole Workshop, Marine Mills Folk School, American Swedish Institute, FOCI MN Center for Glass Art, and Japan American Society of Minnesota. 

You can come for the art and stay for the food. Eggroll Queen, Que Tal Street Eats, Rosa Frida, and additional vendors to be announced. A selection of food and craft drinks will also be available for purchase.

Get Early Access with the Preview Event

For those who want to beat the crowds and get in early, Preview Tickets will be available for purchase, which include a donation to ACC, a complimentary beverage from Lowertown Coffee or 1881 Eating House, and an ACC tote bag. As an added perk, Early Access Preview attendees will also have the chance to win one of three door prizes, featuring special offerings from our partners in craft.◼︎ 

American Craft Fest will take place at Union Depot in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 13–14, 2026. Tickets are free; registration required. Hours are 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday. Early access preview will take place Saturday, June 13, 9:30–11 a.m. 

Check out more great art festivals in the Twin Cities all summer long in the 2026 MPLSART Summer Art Fest Guide.