North Shore Arts Scene

We are starting out with two photos this week. We could see both this week. First, a stormy Lake Superior by Mike Chrun.

And then a beauteous sunrise by Christian Dalbec, taken earlier this week.

We could see both this week. The winter storm making its way up the North Shore on Wednesday night is expected to deliver at least 6 inches of snow and winds gusting to 50 mph. Then,on Friday and through the weekend, the storm ends and temps will reach 40 degrees. Bets are that we’ll see both situations between now and Sunday. Cheers to April!

Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, the JNS Gallery in Lutsen will hold an Artist’s Open House from 6-8 p.m. at the gallery.

The gallery is looking for new artwork and artists in its gallery. Artists who might be interested in exhibiting at the gallery are invited to the open house to see what JNS is all about. Artists are also invited to bring a sample of their work for consideration. Light refreshments will be served.

This weekend is a great time to celebrate local art and artists, too, as the newly-formed North Shore Artists League opens its first exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post.

The League, which was formed in January, is a group of 51 artists from Lake County to Thunder Bay providing networking, information, skill-sharing, community support and social gatherings to member artists.  Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at Johnson Heritage Post and are open to all artists. For more information, contact Maxene Linehan at maxl@boreal.org or 218-475-2726.

League members work in sculpture, fiber arts, wood, pottery, painting, metal, jewelry, drawing, print making, mixed media, glass and writings, and will be well-represented in the show.

The show opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 12. Refreshments will be served. The exhibit continues through May 5. The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and from 1-4 p.m. on Sundays.

On Saturday, Papa Charlie’s will feature a number of bands playing for free during its Mountain Meltdown Festival. The bands will perform outdoors during the day, weather permitting. For the schedule, see Music, below.

Also on Saturday, Voyageur Brewing Co. will hold a Scrabble Tournament from 2-5 p.m. Everyone is invited to participate. To register, click here. Registrations are also being accepted at the Brewing Co.

And nationally recognized solo guitar artist Micheal Gulezian will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Saturday night.

Over the past three decades, Michael Gulezian has established himself as one of the most significant solo acoustic instrumental guitarists of our time. Raising the aesthetic of contemporary acoustic guitar to a higher level with each new album, Gulezian has been named as a primary musical influence by artists as diverse as Michael Hedges, Willy Porter, and Henry Kaiser. Here’s a video of Gulezian in concert.

The concert, sponsored by the North Shore Music Association, starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18 adults, $10 youth and can be purchased at the door. To get a preview, listen to WTIP’s The Roadhouse on Friday night. He’ll be talking about his music and playing a few songs. The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m.

And, for those who like looking at the stars, Sugarloaf Point will hold “Astronomy Night” at 7 p.m. at Sugarloaf. Participants will learn about the stars and the universe during a presentation, and then go outdoors to look at the moon and stars. Cold weather gear recommended. Sugarloaf is located at 9096 Hwy, 61 in Schroeder. All invited.

 Exhibits: 

 Tettegouche State Park continues its exhibit of photographs by Jeff Lundeen.

The exhibit in the Great Hall at the park continues through April.

In Two Harbors, the Cedar Coffee Company is featuring artwork by members of the Voyageur Art Club. The Art Club is based in Two Harbors.

This is the last weekend to see the Arrowhead Regional Biennial exhibit at the Duluth Art Institute. The juried exhibit celebrates a dynamic range of artwork produced in the upper Midwest and is open to artists residing in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada.

 The Tweed Museum of Art has a number of on-going exhibits, including senior shows by art students at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

In Thunder Bay, the Baggage Building Arts Centre at Prince Arthur’s Landing has opened its Spring Exhibition featuring a wide variety of work by local artists.

And the Thunder Bay Art Gallery is exhibiting work by students at the Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School.

 Upcoming: 

 WTIP Community Radio and Gordon Thorne will present the 10th Fingerstyle Masters Weekend at Cascade Lodge April 19-20. The workshop will feature master guitarist Phil Heywood, violinist Randy Sabien and guitarist Gordon Thorne. There will be a pub music session on Friday, music workshops and a concert on Saturday. For more info, email Thorne at oman4@live.com or call 218-353-7308.

Duluth will feature the Art for Earth Day Gallery Hop next weekend, April 20, featuring multiple locations of art exhibits, receptions are more. Stay tuned for details next week.

The Grand Marais Art Colony‘s Member Show & Sale opens with a reception at the Art Colony at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26.

And the Findings Jewelry Symposium, organized by the Art Colony, will be held at the Art Colony June 11-15.

 

This year’s artists include Anna Johnson, Bill Kennealy, Becky McDonah, Tedd McDonah, Danny Saathoff and George Sawyer. To learn more and register for workshops, click here.

And illustrator Betsy Bowen and author Phyllis Root will be at Drury Lane Books from 5-6 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, to read from and sign their latest children’s book, “The Lost Forest.”

Opportunities:

North House Folk School is hiring! The Folk School is currently taking applications for a full-time Communications and Marketing Manager and a part-time Front Office Manager. For more info and to apply, click here.

 Call for Artists:

 North Shore Health has put out a call for artists to have 4-month exhibitions in their lobby, registration area, etc.| Due April 12. Learn more here.

Outdoor Painters of Minnesota has opened Registration for Plein Air Grand Marais 2019. | DUE April 23. Learn more and apply here.

The Minnesota State Arts Board 2020 Artist Initiative Grant is Due April 26. Grants can range from $2,000 to $10,000. Learn more and apply here.

 Artist News:

The cast list for the upcoming Summer Theatre Festival in Grand Marais have been announced. Plays are in repertory and runThursdays through Sundays, starting July 18 and running through August 11.

The plays that will be featured this year: “The Marvelous Wonderettes”  with Karen Blackburn,Tina Hegg, Diane Stoddard and Karina Roth and “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline” with Diane Blanchette and Braidy Powers. The musicians are Max Bichel, Mike DeBevec, Thomas Stamps, Mike Roth and Russ Viton.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC) is currently accepting applications from individuals wishing to serve on its Board. Current openings on the ARAC board for the upcoming term starting July 1, 2019, are Student Liaison member, a representative from Aitkin County, and an At-Large member, who can be from anywhere in the seven-county area served by ARAC. Click on the logo below to learn more.

 Music:

Here’s the music schedule for the week:

Thursday, April 11:

• Live Music at Mogul’s Grille, 4 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Poplar River Pub, 6-8 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Friday, April 12:

• Billy Johnson, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 [m.
• Briand Morrison & Roxann Berglund, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Jim & Michele Miller, Lusten Resort Lobby, 8 p.m.
• Frogleg, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 13:

• Mountain Meltdown,  Papa Charlie’s, Free. 11 a.m. Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats; 1 p.m., Plucked Up String Band; 2:30 p.m. Galactic Cowboy Orchestra; 4 p.m. Bug Dope
• Michael Gulezian, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7 p.m.
• Gene Lafond and Amy Grillo, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• White Iron Band, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 14:

• Brand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Mountain Meltdown, Papa Charlie’s, Free. 11:30 p.m., J Square & the Makers: 1 p.m., Pushing Chain: 2:30 p.m. Cook County’s Most Wanted: 4 p.m. Spruce Roots
• Brotherless Arms (Jim Miller & Drew Heinon), Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik & Pat Flack, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, April 16:

• Pete Kavanaugh, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.

So, we found some great photos this week. Here’s a selection:

First, wildlife:

 

Not exactly wildlife, but wild, maybe …

And, here’s a NOAA satellite photo of the last ice of the season on Lake Superior.

Here’s another “iced” Lake Superior.

Waterfalls and running water:

 

 

 

 

And finally, this beauty.

And this:

And last, but not least: 5 or six cubs? What do you think?

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No April showers yet on the North Shore, although we had a brief snow shower the other day, which, frankly, made a few people pretty nervous.

But it’s April, and we know it will take awhile before it really warms up.

Meanwhile, there’s lots of hot music this week, some great art shows, one unusual event, a few art gossip tidbits and …

Two music events of interest: Easy Riders, a touring blues and rock band, is playing at three different music venues in Grand Marais this weekend, including The Wunderbar, Grandma Ray’s and the Gun Flint Tavern. And, to top it off, they’ll be interviewed on WTIP’s The Roadhouse on Friday night. The program airs from 5-7 p.m., with musicians usually interviewed at 6:15 p.m. or so. They’ll also play some music. To learn more about the band, click here. 

And this weekend, Lutsen Mountains will hold the Sweetwater Shakedown Music & Ski Festival with a great variety of bands playing all weekend at the Summit Chalet and at Papa Charlie’s.

See the music schedule below and/or click here for more details.

On Friday, the Grand Marais Public Library and the Cook County Historical Center will host an opening reception for “The Gun Chronicles: A Story of America,”  an interactive mural by artist and photographer, JR, at the Johnson Heritage Post from 4-5 p.m.

This interactive mural display was awarded to the Grand Marais community by JR after his exhibit, originally titled “Guns in America,” opened nationally in New York, Dallas and Los Angeles.

The mural features a video presentation of more than 200 individuals interviewed and photographed for the cover image of Time Magazine, with the ability to click on images of those participants to hear what they have to say. Viewpoints represent the full array of opinions and positions on the topic of guns. This presentation of the mural is intended to inspire thoughtful consideration of all viewpoints, to give everyone an opportunity to hear, and consider, viewpoints different than our own, and to encourage civil discussion of the topic, as well as on the mural as a piece of art.

The Historical Society plans to have equipment in place to record individuals from the community who might want to preserve their thoughts concerning guns, both past and present, as a video-history project for future generations. Those who would like to be interviewed for this project are encouraged to attend. The exhibit continues through Sunday, April 7. Free and open to the public.

Also on Friday night, the artist reception for Jeff Lundeen’s photo exhibit at Tettegouche State Park will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday.

Lundeen’s photographs capture the landscapes of the North Shore. The exhibit continues through April.

There’s another artist reception on Friday night, too, when members of the Voyageur Art Club of Two Harbors holds an artist reception for their Spring Show at the Cedar Coffee House in Two Harbors from 5-7:30 p.m.

The Voyageur Art Club exhibit continues at the Cedar Coffee House through April 3, and features a great variety of artwork from its member painters.

And on Sunday in Thunder Bay, the Baggage Building Art Centre at Prince Arthur’s Landing in Thunder Bay, will hold an opening reception for its Spring Exhibition show from 1-3 p.m.  More than 30 local artists will be showing work in a variety of media.

On Monday, Sam Martinez at North House Folk School will hold the last in her three-part workshop series: Herbs as Medicine. In this session, she will discuss baking extracts, infused honeys, elixirs, and chocolate bitters. Demonstrations, taste tests, and take home recipes  are included. For more information and to register, contact North House at 387-9762.

And finally, on Tuesday, April 9, the North Shore Arts League will hold its monthly meeting at the Johnson Heritage Post. There will be two sessions to accommodate artists with different schedules: from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5-7 p.m. Artists of every media are welcome. Artists may also bring their submissions for the League’s art show, which opens at the Heritage Post on April 12.

Exhibits:

This is the last weekend to see “Thin Places: Encountering the Surprising Spirit on the North Shore,” which is currently on view at the Johnson Heritage Post. The exhibit, which was organized by the Spirit of the Wilderness Church, features a wide variety of artwork from members of the community, including students and professional artists.

Note: The artist’s statements in this show are worth a read, for sure. The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art is featuring the Annual Student Exhibit 2019. All the students are studying at the Department of Art & Design at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

The student exhibit continues through April 28.

The Duluth Folk School opens an exhibit by Alison Aune and Kirsten Aune entitled “Blooma Lyca: Flower Happiness.” The exhibit features paintings by Alison Aune and hand-painted fabric by Kirsten Aune.

The opening starts at 6 p.m. The Duluth Folk School is located at 1917 W. Superior St. in Duluth.

In Superior, Wis., master quilter Scott Lunt has opened at exhibit at the Kruk Gallery at the University of Wisconsin Superior featuring the quilts he has crafted over the last 20 years.

The title of the exhibit is “Quilts are Magic.” It will be on display through May.

In Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery continues its exhibit of student work from Lakehead University.

The exhibit continues through this weekend.

Upcoming:

The JNS Gallery in Lutsen will hold an Artist Open House from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, April 11 at the shop in Lutsen.

Local artists who are interested in displaying their artwork on a commission basis at the shop are especially invited to come and see what JNS is all about. Artists can bring a sample of their work for consideration. Light refreshments will be served.

Nationally known solo acoustic artist Michael Gulezian will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 13.

 Opportunities:

Looking for a creative opportunity this spring? The Duluth Art Institute is accepting submissions for its upcoming show “Popular Opinions: A Cultural Discussion.” This show aims to give a fresh, contemporary perspective on pop art.

f you have a piece you’d like to submit, visit our Submittable page before April 8th. Click here for more info.

 Artist News:

Fused glass artist Nancy Seaton will be exhibiting her work at the American Craft Show April 5-7 at the RiverCentre in St. Paul.

The show, put on by the American Craft Council, features work by more than 230 artists and artisans working in ceramics, jewelry, fiber arts, leather and more. To get a taste of the wide variety of exhibits in this show, click here. A preview of the show will be held on Thursday, April 4 from 6-9 p.m.

Dan and Lee Ross will open a show at the Groveland Gallery in Minneapolis April 27 with the opening reception from 2-5 p.m.

According to a release by the gallery, the concept for the show began with Dan and Lee discussing animals as landscapes. “What makes an animal different from a landscape? Animals move,”  they said. Hence the title for their current show and the poem:

            The Hill That Walked Away

      The hill that walked away

            The mountain that stayed still

     The storm that passed

           The relationship that endured

Stay tuned for more details.

And for an avant-garde video treat, check out this trailer of Hyper Dark, a feature film that was funded through the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council’s  Career Development grant. The film by Lance T Karasti features  Henriette Soderlind, Ian Vincent and Tyler Chadney.

You can see Hyper Dark this summer at the Duluth Superior Film Festival.

For more information about the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, click on the image below.

 Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, April 4:

• JohnRuss, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Easy Riders, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Sweetwater Shakedown, Pert Near Sandstone, 9 p.m., Traveling McCoury’s, 10:45 p.m. at Papa Charlie’s.

Friday, April 5:

• Sweetwater Shakedown, Summit Chalet–Black River Revue, 12:30 p.m., Max Graham & Friends, 2 p.m.; Papa Charlie’s–Gordon Thorne, 4 p.m., Grateful Ball, 2 sets, 9 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Easy Riders, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 6:

• Sweetwater Shakedown, Summit Chalet, Them Coulee Boys, 12:30 p.m., Ginstrings, 2 p.m.; Papa Charlie’s, Plucked Up String Band, 4 p.m., Kind Country, 9 p.m., Jeff Austin Band, 10:45 p.m.
• Common Ground, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Easy Riders, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Bughouse, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 7:

• Briand Morrison, Moguls Grille, 10 a.m.

Tuesday, April 9:

• Gordon Thorne, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.

Luckily, we found some more cool photos this week:

Wildlife:

 

Water:

 

 

 

Water and sky:

 

 

 And, a great view of the Sleeping Giant in Thunder Bay.

 And then, here are some quirky end-of-winter shots:

First, this one:

 And then, this pair of photos:

Kristofer Bowman posted this shot of a curved piece of ice that had fallen off a rock near Lake Superior on Facebook earlier this week. I think he titled it, “Shedding Their Skins.”

In response,  Nancy Seaton posted this photo of one of her fused glass pieces that, coincidently, looks just like an ice shard.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

If you’ve had fun with NorthShore ArtScene this week, consider supporting it with a donation. Click on the link below for more info.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things are pretty quiet on the North Shore these days, as everyone, and everything, patiently waits for all the snow to melt and spring to arrive. But it’s still beautiful here. And warm.

Meanwhile, there’s lots of art to see and great music opportunities, as well as some fun events.

First up is a presentation Sharon Mahon of Three Irish Girls Photography at Cook County Higher Education from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28.

The title of her presentation is “The Zig Zag Life,” and she will talk about how she was a happy high school teacher until knitting found her and she slowly built “Three Irish Girls,’  a yarn hand-dyeing company. It was a great success and she traveled extensively giving workshops and presentations and she wrote a popular knitting blog. Then, in 2013 she sold her yarn company to be come a full-time photographer. This “zig-zag life”has been totally rewarding, she says, and she’ll talk about how to get there. Cost is $20. All invited.

On Friday, tune into The Roadhouse on WTIP Community Radio when musicians Colleen Myhre and Tony Petersen will talk about their lives and play a few songs. The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m.

The duo is performing at the Gun Flint Tavern this weekend.

On Saturday, it’s Family Fun Night at the Summit Chalet on Lutsen Mountains featuring Magic by Chaz, kids music with the Okee Dokee Brothers, art project and face painting as well as a pizza party and fireworks. The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are available at theL Lutsen Mountain tickets office: $30 adults, $15 or kids 6-12.

And on Monday, the second in the three-part series on how to use herbs in the kitchen will be held at North House Folk School starting at 7 p.m. This week’s session will focus on the savory: herbal salts, dipping oils, compound butters and marinades. For more information and to register, call North House at 218 387-9762.

In Two Harbors, the Two Harbors Voyageur Art Club will open it’s annual spring exhibition, “Spring Fever,” at the Cedar Coffee Company in Two Harbors April 1.

The opening reception will be at the Cedar Coffee Co. from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 5. The exhibit continues through April 30.

Exhibits:

“Thin Places: Encountering the Surprising Spirit on the North Shore” continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through April 7. The community art show, organized by the Spirit of the Wilderness Church, features a wide variety of work by artists of every age, including a great showing of work by the art students at ISD 166.

Community members and local artists also are exhibiting in this show, which is wonderfully eclectic.

The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

This is the last weekend to see “Masterpiece Art,” an exhibit of Silver Bay elementary students in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park. The Masterpiece Art program is a national arts curriculum that volunteers use to teach the fundatmentals of visual arts to elementary students. A typical lesson includes a history portion featuring a master artist and an art activity based on a work by that artist. The exhibit at Tettegouche is a great example of how students reacted to the work they saw. Here are a few examples:

 

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art is featuring a number of exhibits, including “Space: Time & Place,” an exhibition of photographs from its collection.

The exhibition demonstrates numerous ways in which photographic artists represent space in their imagery and how such compositions influence the viewer to become invested in and moved by the image.

The exhibit continues through April. 

The Duluth Art Institute just opened a new photography exhibit, too. Entitled “Emerging Photographers,” it highlights the work of young regional photographers.

The exhibit continues through May.

The Zeitgeist Arts Cafe just opened a new exhibit of paintings by Christie Carter Eliason, who creates whimsical and amusing portraits of animals.

In Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery is exhibiting work by Hammerskjold High School, Grade 9 and 10 students in the Indigenous Cultural Program for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students, from across Northern Ontario. The exhibit is entitled: Nibi iwe bimaadiziwin: Water is Life.

The exhibit continues through March 31. The gallery is also showing a number of works by art students from Lakehead University.

 Upcoming:

There are programing/grant changes on tap for the Arrowhead Regional Art Council. ARAC will hold a public meeting on its draft plan for the next two years in the Ordean Building in Duluth at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3. All artists and community members are invited. On the agenda will be discussions about the proposed new grants and how ARAC has developed its proposals based on the values of its funders, artists and community members.

In the draft plan, a few grants which have been a mainstay in ARAC’s programs will be discontinued. They include the Career Development Grant, the Technology/Equipment Grant, the Fellowship Grant and the Quick Start Grant.

In their places will be a great new selection of grants which will focus on what the arts community needs as well as funders’ preferences. These proposed new grants include:

• The Distinguished Regional Artist Grant Program that will provide larger project grants to working professional artists.
• A new Project Grant for Artists that will provide up to $4000 for artist projects.
• A new Arts and Cultural Heritage Program that provides money for arts activities with both community significance and authenticity to the community.
• An Arts Ecosystem Grant for projects that help networks of artists.
• New simplified small grants, including a Working Artist Professional Development Grant, an Educational Opportunity Grant and an Emergency Needs and Equipment Grant.
• A Public Art Project Grant for the fiscal year 2021.
• A Business of Art workshop series.
• An Arts Ecosystem Grant for projects that help networks of artists.

Details of the draft plan will be available on Friday, March 30. Click here and then on News for more information. All are invited to the meeting April 3 to learn more and discuss these changes.

An interactive multi-media exhibit entitled “The Gun Chronicles: A Story of America” by mural artist JR, will be on exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post April 5-7. The exhibit will be held in collaboration with the Grand Marais Public Library. It opens at 4 p.m. April 5. Stay tuned for details.

The 10th Fingerstyle Masters Weekend will be held at Cascade Lodge April 19-20 featuring Phil Heywood, Randy Sabien & Gordon Thorne. They will hold a pub session on Friday, April 19, at 7:30 p.m., guitar and fiddle workshops on Saturday and a concert on Saturday night. Stay tuned. For more info on the workshops, contact Gordon Thorne at 218 353-7308 or email him at oman4@live.com.

Opportunities:

Matt Kania will be teaching an oil painting workshop at the Duluth Art Institute. He is calling the workshop “Oil Painting: Accordions Alla Prima.” The first session is April 11.

In collaboration with The World of Accordions Museum in Superior, Wis., the first class will feature a live model, local accordion player Ruth Maciejeski.  She will play the accordion while the class focuses on capturing the shapes and movements through oil sketches and photographs.  The following 2 class sessions you will be working from the oil sketches and photographs you captured on the first day to complete a large oil painting alla prima style.

Painting Alla Prima is an Italian term which means “at first” and is also known as “direct painting” or “wet on wet” oil painting.  Using this technique, you will complete an entire painting without waiting for the paint layers to dry completely; focusing on shapes, color value, paint applications and brush strokes.  Whether you are a beginning or advanced oil painter, this class offers enough space to learn and grow with group and individual tutelage.  Open to all levels. For more info, click here or visit www.mattkania.com

Kudos:

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council just released names of the artists and arts organizations who received grants in this session. Cook County artists and organizations include:

• North Shore Music Association, Grand Marais, Cook, $5,000
  Funding will support a series of events featuring Samite, a world-renowned flutist, singer, and kalimba, marimba, and litungu player.
• Greg Mueller, Lutsen, Cook, $2,440
  Grant funding will support the North Shore Community Pour, an interactive, learning experience in cast metal sculpture for 2019 Grand Marais Arts Festival attendees.
• Good Harbor Hill Players, Grand Marais, Cook, $5,000
  Grant award will support the community development, planning, creation, and staging of the Summer Solstice Pageant in Grand Marais.
• Joe Paulik, Grand Marais, Cook, $1,000
  Funding will support the recording of twelve songs with producer Al Oikari.
• Roxann Berglund, Grand Portage, Cook, $1,000
  Funding will be used to create a three-song demo of original compositions that will be used to gain feedback from other musicians and to promote the artist.

Click on the image below to learn more about the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council.

Music:

Thursday, March 28:

• Joshua Schmidt, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Gun Flint Tavern, 6:30 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Friday, March 29:

• Rod Dockan, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Joshua Schmidt, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Collen Myhre and Tony Peterson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Northeast Timberland Band, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 30:

• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 3:30 p.m.
• North Country Fair, Cascade Restaurant and Pub, 5 p.m.
• The Grace Notes, The Cove at Superior Inn, 5 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Joshua Schmidt, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre and Tony Peterson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Erik Koskinen,(2 sets)  Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 31:

• Briand Morrison, Moguls’ Grille and Tap Room, 10 a.m.
• Joshua Schmidt, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, Papa Charlie’s, 3:30 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, April 2:

•  Joe Paulik, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Open Mic with Bump Blomberg, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, April 3:

• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

We found some interesting photos this week — wildlife, for sure, and lots of broken ice photos.

 

 

 

So, for reference, this was taken only two weeks ago.

And now …

Late ice fields.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy March-goes-out-like-a-lamb, everyone! Have a good weekend.

Did you enjoy NorthShore ArtScene this week? Consider making a donation today. It’s easy. Just click on the button below. And Thank You!

The first day of Spring has arrived, and here, on the North Shore, we believe it.

Lake Superior is showing blue again, and the piles of snow along the shoreline have been reduced considerably because of the warmer temps. But, rest assured, there’s still plenty of snow on the ski hills and ski trails in Cook County.

Greg Fangel, a cross-country ski enthusiast, reported on Wednesday that he saw some drifts 8-feet deep in the woods during their backcountry ski. Check out the snow depth at this spot:

The point? This is a great time of year to get outside and enjoy the last month of winter in the Northwoods.

Meanwhile, there’s plenty to do.

On Thursday, the Grand Marais Writer’s Guild will meet for its monthly meeting at the Grand Marais Public Library. The group meets from 6-7:30 p.m. Every writer is invited. The group will discuss their writing projects as well as do a few writing prompts. Free.

On Friday, Mary Ellen Ashcroft will read from her latest book “OMG: Growing Our God Images” at the Johnson Heritage Post.

The book signing and reading will be from 6-7 p.m. All invited. Refreshments will be served.

Also on Friday, Jon Kallberg will be on WTIP’s The Roadhouse to talk about his new guitar and play a few tunes. The show airs from 5-7 p.m.

In Duluth, the Joseph Nease Gallery will open a new exhibit with a reception on Friday featuring the paintings of  Sirpa Särkijärv, a native of Finland. This is the first time the Duluth gallery has featured an artist from outside the continental United States. Since opening in October 2017, the contemporary art gallery has facilitated artistic exchange in Duluth by bringing in artists from around the country, and in particular from throughout the Heartland and the Kansas City region, where owners Joseph and Karen Nease previously curated a gallery. The upcoming March 2019 exhibition, titled Transcriptions, will mark a sharp departure from this trend.

The public is invited to the opening reception, which will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday. The gallery is located at 23 W. First St. in Duluth.

Saturday is a great day to explore all the shops and galleries in Grand Marais, as well as the Grand Marais Art Colony and North House Folk School.

The Art Colony has just launched a beautiful new video about the Art Colony and its history. Check it out here.

On Sunday, Drury Lane Books will host the monthly Group Book Discussion, a chance to discuss a book with others who have read it. Store manager Gwen Danfelt and local book lover and WTIP book reviewer Lin Salisbury will facilitate the discussion. This month’s book is Tara Westover’s “Educated.”

The book discussion group meets from 5-6:30 p.m. Participants are asked to come with the book read and ready to discuss. Light refreshments will be available.

And on Monday at 6 p.m., show up at the Log Cabin at the Cook County Community Center for the monthly Dance Night! This month the theme is pajamas and participants are invited to bring their favorite childhood cereal as a snack.

The music mix is guaranteed to make you want to dance–Beyoncé, Missy Elliot, and Lady Gaga will be in attendance (digitally) as well as 90s hits and dance beats from around the world. No experience is necessary and it’s free. Bring a water bottle!

Exhibits:

The exhibit, “Thin Places: Encountering the Surprising Spirit on the North Shore” opened at the Johnson Heritage Post on Friday night. This is a community art exhibit presented by Spirit of the Wilderness Church and features a wide variety of work from students to professional adults.

The exhibit continues through April 7. The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Masterpiece Art exhibit featuring works by students at the Silver Bay Elementary School continues in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.

In Duluth, Natalie Salminen Rude has an art installation in the reception room in the mayor’s office at City Hall.

Also in Duluth, Jonathan Thunder’s multi-media installation at the Tweed Museum of Art, “Manifest’o,” features three separate, yet interconnected animated vignettes of Anishinaabe stories about the Goldfinch, Star Woman, and Mishu Bishu.

The installation is located on the second floor of the Tweed Museum of Art in the large glass display case that has been transformed into a ‘fishbowl’ to effectively and sinuously present the animated vignettes. The exhibit continues until May.

And the Zeitgeist Cafe in Duluth is exhibiting paintings by Patricia Lenz.

 The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is featuring two exhibits by artists at Lakehead University — the Major Studio Exhibition of fourth year graduating students and a juried art student exhibit.

 Upcoming:

 Nationally acclaimed guitarist Michael Gulezian will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. April 13.  The concert is sponsored by the North Shore Music Association. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at www.tix.com. Here’s a video:

Kudos:

 Local high school student and author Sylvia Berka recently traveled to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to take part in the Southeastern Young Adult Book Festival held at Middle Tennessee State University. Known as the SE-YA Book Fest, the annual event is designed to give teen writers and authors of young adult literature the chance to interact. The 2019 author lineup brought about 40 writers together. On that list was Becky Albertalli, the author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, the book on which the film Love, Simon is based.

Sylvia was recently interviewed on WTIP Community Radio about her trip. Listen to it here.

Betsy Bowen’s children’s book, “Antler Bear Canoe” is part of the Karlan Collection at the University of Minnesota, which is one of the world’s great children’s literature archives.

Bowen was recently invited to be on a panel to discuss children’s literature at the university. The book is one of her books that can be found at her studio, which is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday during the winter.

And finally, for news and information about art and art opportunities in northeastern Minnesota, check out the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council by clicking on the logo below.

 

Music:

Here is the music schedule for this week:

 Thursday, March 21:

• Briand Morrison, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Billy Johnson, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Friday, March 22:

• Timmy Haus, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Thunderheads, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Jim & Michele Miller, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 23:

• Kilborn Quartet, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• Roxann Berglund, The Cove at Superior Inn, 5 p.m.
• Jim & Michele Miller, Poplar River Pub, 7 p.m.
• Common Ground, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Thunderheads, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Dessa with Monakr, Papa Charlie’s, 9 p.m.

Sunday, March 24:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Papa Charlie’s, 3:30 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Steve Blexrud, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.

Monday, March 25:

• Dave Simonett and David Huckfelt, Monday Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 26:

• Fred Anderson, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Open Mic with Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 26:

• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Martin Delaney, Wednesday Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

So, photographs for this week. Let’s start with some of our favorite wildlife photos.

 

 

 

 

Some skyscapes… this one was taken a “little” further north and east from Cook County …

And this photo, taken many miles west of here.

Meanwhile, back on the North Shore:

A question mark in the sky over Lake Superior.

 

 

 

 

And finally, three extraordinary photographs.

 

 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Did you enjoy NorthShore ArtScene this week? Consider making a donation today. Click on the button below. And Thank You!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s mid-March, and this weekend on the North Shore we celebrate two saints: Saint Urho and Saint Patrick. One is fictional, one is not, but each year at this time, both are celebrated with special colors, lots of beer, music, dancing, and, in the case of St. Urho, plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor and a big parade.

Saint Patrick is the Patron Saint of Ireland, and Irish communities around the U.S.  have been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day since the late 1700s.

Admittedly, there isn’t a big Irish community on the North Shore, but, it is big enough so that you will find lots of Irish music in the pubs, plenty of beer consumption, and, on Friday night, an Irish Ceili dance with Over the Waterfall at the Wunderbar. Terrance Smith will teach the dances.

There’s lots of Irish food and music at Cascade Restaurant and Pub this weekend, too. (See Music Schedule below) Saint Patrick’s color is green, and the official St. Patrick’s Day is Sunday, March 17, but celebrations begin early.

Saint Urho is the fictional Patron Saint of Finland, created by Richard Mattson in Virginia, Minn, in the 1950s. According to Wikipedia, he made up the story in response to taunts from Irish friends about not having a patron saint like they did. The legend and foolishness and fun has exploded from there, with Finnish communities in the U.S and Canada embracing St. Urho Days.

There are plenty of Finns on the North Shore, especially in Finland, Minn., and that’s where you want to go this weekend if you’re at all curious about this patron saint, whose colors are purple and green. His claim to fame is chasing out all the grasshoppers from Finland who were threatening the grape crop.

St. Urho Days is Friday through Sunday and includes lots of music and Finnish food, a beauty contest, a tug of war across the Baptism River on Saturday, and an absolutely astounding parade at noon. Click here to see schedule of events.

Meanwhile, back in Cook County, there’s lots of  other things happening this weekend.

First off on Thursday, a chance to feast on goodies crafted by local restaurants and the ISD 166 culinary class while helping support the ISD 166 Educational Foundation at the same time. The event will be held in the school.

E.A.T.S.. or  Enriching Academics Through Sustenance, is one of the area’s favorite, and tastiest fundraisers.  To date, more than $175,000  has been raised for projects and activities that have enriched the curriculum of Cook County ISD 166.  This year. E.A.T.S. will feature elegant salads; soups, chili and chowders, homemade bread and sliced meat; meatballs, saucy chicken wings, reuben and sloppy joe sliders, savory shepherds’ pie, and pizza, as well as desserts. The Grace Notes will play. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the school, Java Moose and the Blue Water Cafe. There is also a silent auction.

Also on Thursday, a Skill Share at North House Folk School on Thursday night at 7 p.m. Entitled “Carving a Coat Hook,”  the mini-workshop will teach participants how to make a simple, carved coat hook out of a branch harvested locally.

Mike Schelmeske will teach the workshop, which will be held in the Blue Building. Open to adults and youth 12 and older accompanied by an adult. There is a $5 fee. No preregistration is required.

On Friday, besides all the Patron Saint celebrations, a new exhibit opens in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park featuring paintings and drawings of students at the Silver Bay Elementary School. Entitled “Masterpiece Art,” the exhibit features a variety of work by students who were exposed to work by the Masters and responded with their concepts from seeing the work.

This is always a fascinating show. The opening reception is at 7 p.m. Friday. The exhibit continues through March.

This is the last weekend to see the youth musical, “The Quilters” at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. This lively musical has charmed audiences with great performances and live music. The all-girl cast includes: Aurora Schelmeske, Izy Sparks, Bryn Fitzgerald-Wells, Greta Roth, Kylie Viren, Abbey Stoddard and Elsa Garry.

Musicians for “The Quilters” include: Kay Costello, Barb LaVigne, Myra Theimer and Yvonne Mills. The play is directed by Sue Hennessy. The vocal director is Karina Roth. Tickets are available at the door.

On Saturday, Beadpainter Jo Wood will give a demonstration and talk about her bead art at the Cook County Public Library from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The demonstration is free. All invited.

 Wood, a long-time Cook County resident, is well-known for her exquisite bead art inspired by the North Woods. She is the instructor-in-residence at North House Folk School from March 12 – 22.

Also on Saturday, there are two back-to-back events: The Grand Marais Art Colony will feature presentations by two Artists-in-Residence, and the Johnson Heritage Post will hold an opening reception for a new exhibition, “Thin Places.”

At the Art Colony, join two of its Artists-In-Residence; Christine Forni and Corrie Steckelberg, for back-to-back events starting at 3:30 pm on Saturday, March 16.

Forni will start with an artist talk about her experimental printmaking process in the Art Colony’s print studio at 3:30 p.m., and at 5 p.m., Steckelberg will be talking about and showing the massive wolf sculpture (complete with fabric internal organs) she crafted during her residency, before leading participants in dissecting it. Both events are free and all are welcome to join.

“Thin Places: The Form of Things Unknown,” opens at the Johnson Heritage Post on Saturday with a reception from 5-7 p.m. The community art exhibit was organized and sponsored by the Spirit of the Wilderness Church, and will feature works from professional artists to high school art students to younger yet. Everyone in the community was welcome to submit work.

The exhibit will feature a wide variety of artwork, from paintings and pottery, weaving to sculptures, drawings, jewelry and more. The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m Saturday. Wayne L. Roosa, a professor of Art History at Bethel University, will give a presentation at 6 p.m.

All invited. The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

In Duluth, the Duluth Art Institute is featuring the photographs of Vern Northrup entitled “Akinomaage,” or Teachings from the Earth.

Shooting only with the camera on his smart phone, Northrup captures the rhythm of nature, the preservation of tradition and the relationship between resilience and sustainability in the setting of where he grew up. The exhibit continues through May 5.

In Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery has opened a new exhibit. Entitled “Lakehead University Annual Juried Student Exhibit,” the show features a wide variety of work by Lakehead art students.

The exhibit continues through April 7.

Of Interest:

The Cook County Chamber has put a call out for businesses and/or organizations to apply for a $250 to $1,000 grant for a high impact, low-cost idea to make a place great.

The Great Place Project began in 2014 as  a partnership between the Cook County Chamber  and Sawtooth Mountain Clinic’s Moving Matters program. It continues as a program of the Chamber Foundation. The deadline is April 1.

GPP provides small grants to individuals, businesses and organizations to develop small outdoor projects that enhance the beauty and attraction of the outdoor built environment of Cook County. The intention is to encourage healthy outdoor play and exercise, and to create a more pleasing environment for residents and visitors to enjoy. For more info, visit www.cookcountychamber.org or email ccchamber@boreal.org .

And this quirky bit of news: Red Green of the Red Green Show, sold out his performance at the Mitchel Auditorium at St. Scholastica which is set for April 7. He is calling it “This Could Be It!” show.

 Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, March 14:

• Joe Paulik, Moguls Grille, 4 p.m.
• Jon Kallberg, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Friday, March 15:

• One Less Guest, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Common Ground, Cascade Lodge Pub, 6 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Celtic Dance with Over the Waterfall, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
• Black River Revue, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 16:

• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• Jim McGowan & Frozen Britches, Cascade Lodge Pub, 3:30 p.m.
• John Silliman, Gun Flint Lodge, 5:30 p.m.
• Roxann Berglund, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Jon Cron, Papa Charlie’s, 6:45 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Centerville All Stars, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, 7 p.m.
• Joe Paulik Band, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Black River Revue, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• The 4ontheFloor, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 17:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• HiBs duo, Cascade Lodge Pub, Celtic music all day
• Black River Revue, Papa Charlie’s, 3:30 p.m.
• Pushing Chain, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.

Monday, March 18:

• Monday Songwriter Series, Dylan Hicks with John Munson, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 19:

• Pete Kavanaugh, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Open Mic with Bump Blomberg, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m

Wednesday, March 20:

•  Wednesday Songwriter Series, Phil Heywood, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Here is a selection of some of the great photos we found this week:

First, wildlife:

 

 

 

To read an article in the Duluth News Tribne about  the DNR moose survey, click here.

Not so wild, but a group of cuties:

And here are some intriguing photos of snow.

 

 

 

And, there’s still plenty of ice out there,

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great weekend, everyone! Happy St. Patrick/St. Urho Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are the fine days of winter — lots of snow, a warmer sun. longer days and lots to activities in Cook County.

First up this week is an Open Carving Night at North House Folk School. The event, which is part of North House’s Wood Week, invites members of the community as well as participants in the Wood Week classes and workshops to an evening of carving starting at 7 p.m.

Bring your own small carving project and hand tools and join in the fun of Wood Week at North House. Check the website for more details on Wood Week events here.

And this is season for the Grand Marais Playhouse‘s Community Youth Play. This year, they will perform the musical “Quilters,” based on a book by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek, with lyrics and music by Barbara Damashek.

The musical will feature lots of great voices and live music. Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Saturday and at 2 p.m. Sundays. The play continues through March 17. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 youth (12-17) and $3 Child (under 12). They are available at the door.

On Friday, Corrie Steckelberg, who is a Juried Artist in Residence at the Grand Marais Art Colony, will hold an open studio from 9-11 a.m. in the Founders Hall.

The event is open to the public.

This is the weekend for lots of outdoor activities, too. On Saturday, Skyport Lodge offers sled dog tours with their resident musher, Adam Treful, all day long. There will be a bonfire in the front yard, too.

Also on Saturday, there will be Snowmobile Races on Poplar Lake and music in the evening at Poplar Haus by The Sprigs.

On Sunday, one of the highpoints of winter: The Dog Days of Winter, Sled Dog Derbies and Skijoring Races at Trail Center Lodge. Plan on a great time watching the excitement as dog lovers of every age get out there and race their dogs.

Volunteers are still needed to help out with event. For all the info, click here. Here’s a video of some of the action last year:

On Tuesday, the newly formed North Shore Artists League will hold its monthly meeting at the Johnson Heritage Post from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All artists are invited. Free.

 On Tuesday night, March 12, Corrie Steckelberg and printmaker, Christine Forni, who is also a Juried  Artist in Residence at the Grand Marais Art Colony this week, will talk about their work at the Wunderbar.  Entitled “Party with a Purpose: Meet the Art Colony’s Artists-in-Residence,” the event will feature wine tasting and a chance to purchase a bottle or a cocktail as well as talks by the artists about their experience at the Art Colony. The Party runs from 5:30-7:30 p.m. All invited.

Deadline: Artists who plan on participating in “Thin Places,” a community art exhibit organized by the Spirit of the Wilderness Church, must bring their artwork to the Johnson Heritage Post from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13. The exhibit opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 16.

Exhibits:

The Art of Healing, an exhibit organized by the Violence Prevention Center, continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through Sunday, March 10. This is an amazing exhibit, featuring work in a variety of media by professional as well as amateur artists, all working to the theme of art as healing. Here are just a few of the pieces you will see in this exhibit.

 

The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

A new exhibit has just opened in the halls of the Cook County Courthouse.

Woodcuts from Betsy Bowen’s “Tracks in the Wild” will be on exhibit for the next few months.

The Cedar Coffee Company in Two Harbors has opened a new exhibit work Devin and Brighid Getten. Devin is a photographer, Brighid is a multi-media artist.

An artists’ reception will be held at the Coffee Company from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, March 8. The exhibit continues through March.

The Tweed Museum of Art continues its exhibit “Space: Time & Place,” a selection of photographs from its collection.

Upcoming:

A reception to honor illustrator and painter, Keith Morris,  and photographer Jim Ringquist, both of whom have been exhibiting their work at the North Shore Hospital & Care Center this winter, will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, March 14. All invited.

And the opening reception for Masterpiece Art, paintings and drawings by students at the Silver Bay Elementary School inspired by the word of the Masters, will be held in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park at 7 p.m Friday, March 15. Stay tuned for details.

Here’s a chance  to listen to a great interview on WTIP Community Radio  with Michael Bazzett, a poet with Cook County connections and accolades from New York City.

Bazzett’s book of poems, “Popol Vuh,”  a translation of the Quiche Maya creation story, was selected by the New York Times as one of the 10 best poetry books in 2018,

Click here to listen. The interview is a little more than 15 minutes. He talks about his life as a poet and why he wrote this book, and reads a selection from it.

Music:

Here’s the music for the week:

Thursday, March 7:

• Billy Johnson, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s. 9:30 p.m.

Friday, March 8:

• Joe Paulik, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Rays, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison & Roxann Berglund, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
• Billy Johnson, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 9:

• Billy Johnson, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• JohnRuss, Papa Charlie’s, 6:45 p.m.
• North Shore Community Swing Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Lutsen Resort,  7 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Grandma Ray’s 8 p.m.
• Jon Miller, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.m
• Rhino, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 10:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Aprés Ski Acoustic, Papa Charlie’s, 3:30 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.

Monday, March 11:

•  Teague Alexy, Monday Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 12

• Joe Paulik, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Open Mic Night with Bump Blomberg, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 13:

• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Faith Boblett, Wednesday Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

We found some great photos this week. Let’s start with wildlife:

 

 

 

We’re not sure if this qualifies as wildlife, but it’s pretty wild.

And then, there was snow.

Jean Fitts Cochrane posted this photo the other day. She calls this wolf “Platterpaws” and she said they see his marks frequently on their ski trails.

 

And then,  lots of ice.

 

 

 

 

 

 And finally, this:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

If you would like to make a donation to NorthShore ArtScene, click on the button below. And Thank You!

Another weekend of fun is coming up, including an art exhibit opening, a Mexican music jam and dance class and a concert,  and lots of outdoor activities.

First up is a Maple Syruping Skill Share with Marybeth Garmoe at North House Folk School at 7 p.m. Thursday. Garmoe will cover the process of gathering maple sap, how to reduce it, as well as how to use it once completed. The workshop is open to all and free.

Also on Thursday, the nationally known musicians, the Sones de Mexico Ensemble, who are in Grand Marais this week, will lead a music jam and folk dance at the Grand Marais Art Colony from 7-9 p.m. Participants are invited to bring their instruments and plan on having a great time. Tickets are $5. Open to all.

The Sones de Mexico Ensemble is the country’s premier folk music organization specializing in Mexican “son,” including the regional styles of huapango, gustos, chilenas, son jarocho, and more. The two-time Grammy-nominated group has toured nationally and internationally, including performances at the Getty Museum in L.A., New York’s Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

The Sones de Mexico Ensemble will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Friday at 7 p.m.  Tickets are $15 adult, $5 for youth 18 and under. Here’s a video of some of their music.

Sones de Mexico will also teach a 2-day residency at Great Expectations School this week with themes including the musical geography of Mexico, Mexican tragic ballad songwriting, Danza de Los Viejitos mask-making, and Ancient Aztec dance.

Also on Friday night, the Johnson Heritage Post will hold an opening reception for the Art of Healing, an exhibit sponsored by the Violence Prevention Center. The reception is from 5-7 p.m.

The exhibit will contain artwork by Cook County residents whom have used art as a means to respond, explore, express and heal from their personal experiences with domestic & sexual violence. The exhibit will run through March 10. The gallery hours at the Heritage Post are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Also, Poet Michael Bazzett, the son of Maureen and Bob Bazzett, whose book of poetry, “Popol Vuh” was named best poetry book of 2018 by the New York Times, will talk about his work on The Roadhouse on Friday. The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m. The Plucked Up String band will also play.

Saturday is a great day to explore the outdoors and enjoy the exhibits and the shops in Cook County. The snow is fantastic this year, and all the trails are in great shape.

For fishermen, the Annual Trout Derby hosted by the Cook County Ridge Riders will be on West Bearskin Lake this year. Registration opens at 9 a.m. Saturday. Food and beverages will be available.

Also, Skyport Lodge holds sled dog tours all day on Saturday and Tuesday. Reservations are highly recommended.

Call 387-9414 to learn more.

Exhibits:

 The North Shore Winery continues its exhibit of George Morrison poster prints.

The Polar Vortex exhibit at Tettegouche State Park continues this week, with a closing reception at 5 p.m. on Friday. The photographs depict Lake Superior during the Polar Vortex by students of John Gregor.

A new exhibit opens at Tettegouche on Tuesday, March 5. Entitled Masterpiece Art, the show features artwork from students at William Kelley Elementary School who were inspired by a variety of artworks by the masters. The exhibit continues through March 30.

In Duluth, this is the last weekend to see the Members Show at the Duluth Art Institute.

The Tweed Museum of Art is featuring photographs in a new exhibit entitled “Space: Time and Place.:

Also at the Tweed:

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery has opened a new exhibit of student work entitled “Nibi iwe bimaadiziwin: Water is Life.”

The exhibit features works by Hammerskjold High School, Grade 9 and 10 students in the Indigenous Cultural Program for First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students, from across Northern Ontario, illustrating the importance and sacredness of water through art.

The Baggage Building Arts Centre in Thunder Bay has put out a call for artists to participate in their spring exhibition. Deadline for online submissions is March 15.

For more info about signing up for the show: bbac.angie@gmail.com

Upcoming: 

 “The Quilters,” a production of the Grand Marais Playhouse, opens at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 7. Performances are Thursday to Sunday through March 17. Tickets available online or at the door. Stay tuned for details.

Corrie Steckelberg. who will be an artist in residence at the Grand Marais Art Colony, will hold an open studio from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, March 8, in the Founders Hall at the Art Colony.

The North Shore Artists League will meet March 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Johnson Heritage Post. Natalie Sobanja and Max Linehan will lead a discussion on how artists are using social media to promote their art.  This will be an opportunity to learn from each other what works, what doesn’t, what we know and what we wished we knew.  Bring a bag lunch if desired. Free. All artists in any media art invited.

Also on March 12, artists are invited to participate in Arts Advocacy Day at the Capital in St. Paul. Arts Advocacy Day is a day for artists and arts advocates to join together to share with legislators the importance of art to our lives and our economy. Participants will meet at the Minnesota History Center, learn about advocacy class for new attendees, rally, and then meet your legislator at 8 a.m. the capital through 2 p.m. To register, click here.

And finally, kudos to Christian Dalbec for being a new artist at Sivertson Gallery. Check out this video of him unpacking his photographs.

  Music:

Here’s the music schedule for the week: (Note: WTIP Community Radio is having a membership drive this week, so look for lots of live music, interviews and more at 90.7 on your dial. The radio station can also be streamed online.

Thursday, Feb. 28:

• Jim McGowan, WTIP, 1 p.m.
• Sonos de Mexico, WTIP, 4 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 6-8 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.
• Jeff Nemitz Tribute Show, WTIP, 7 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Friday, March 1:

• “Dog Songs” with Carl Solander, WTIP, 1 p.m.
• Common Ground, WTIP, 4 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, WTIP, 6:15 p.m.
• Sones de Mexico, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 2:

• “Wheels of Fire with Will and Annie, WTIP, 3-5 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15
• AMP-Another Music Program with Sterling & Aaron, WTIP, 5-7 p.m.
• Apres Ski, Papa Charlie’s, 6:45 p.m.
• Roxann Berglund, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• The Big Wu, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 3:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m
• Wu Acoustic Family, Papa Charlie’s,  3:30 p.m.
• Thoresa Aho, Polka Time, WTIP, 5 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Mark Joseph, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.

Monday, March 4:

• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
• Alan Sparhawk, Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, March 5:

• Mukluk Mardi Gras, Gun Flint Tavern, 5:30-9p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Open Mic with Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, March 6

• Charlie Parr, Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Photographs

We’ve been lucky to find great photographs again this week.

First, wildlife:

Here’s a beauteous shot.

And a cutie:

And an intense moment for this Snowy:

Here are a few more Snow Moon shots.

 

 

 

Winter landscapes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here are some fascinating winter photos I found:

 

 

 

And finally, this crazy video:

And finally, this beauty.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

 

 

 

It’s a pretty quiet week on the North Shore, although there’s lots of great music, a French film and wonderful art exhibits, and, of course, plenty of snow.

There’s lots happening at the Grand Marais Public Library on Thursday, Feb. 21.  It leads off with a community listening session from 10:30 a.m. to noon. This will be the third, and final, community listening session led by poet Julia Klatt Singer and composer Craig Carnahan in order to gather information and stories about the unique history of Grand Marais and Cook County. The duo will use the listening sessions for inspiration to write poems and music for the Borealis Chorale to perform at their Christmas concerts next December.

The event at the library is free and open to all.

Later that afternoon, the Science Museum of Minnesota will set up an engineering corner in the library for students to try their hand at various challenges provided by the presenters from the museum. It will be from 4-5 p.m. All youth invited.

Then, at 6 p.m., the Grand Marais Writers’ Guild will hold its monthly meeting for “anyone who writes anything.” The meeting is held until 7:30 p.m. All writers invited. Free.

Also on Thursday evening, North House Folk School will continue its Winter Skill Sharing Series with a session entitled “Steeking: Making that Knitted Garment Fit.”

A steek is a “bridge” of extra stitches in a knitted piece that allows knitting in the round and later cut to accommodate a front opening, sleeve or neckline. Participants will learn the history of steeking, when and how to steek and have the opportunity for the hands-on machine sewing and cutting essential for this skill. All invited. Free.

On Friday, the Grand Marais Public Library will continue it’s film series, Friday Night Reels, with the screening of “Faces Places,” a French documentary about 89-year old Agnes Varda, one of the leading figures of the French New Wave, and acclaimed 33 year-old French photographer and muralist, JR, on a road trip of creativity. Check out the trailer below. .

Everyone is invited. The film starts at 6 p.m. Free.

For Celtic music lovers, the Northern Lake County Arts Board will host the Celtic Duo, Patsy O’Brien and Dick Hensold, in a concert at the William Kelley High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. on Friday

O’Brien is from County Cork, Ireland, and is a traditional and award-winning singer/songwriter. Hensold is the leading Northumbrian smallpiper in North America, and has performed all over the world. Tickets are $15 at the door. High School students and younger get in free.

Last week, there were all kinds of events indoors in Cook County. This week, it’s get-out-and-enjoy-the-snow time. There are dog sled tours available all day at Skyport Lodge on Saturday and there’s a a Blast from the Past Vintage Snowmobile Ride at Cascade Lodge starting at 10 a.m. There’s plenty of powder at Lutsen Mountains and the cross-county ski trails are packed and ready, not to mention snowshoe forays into the woods, trips on frozen, snow-covered rivers and fat bike tours.

And, if you’re traveling to Thunder Bay this weekend. check out the snow sculptures at Prince Arthur’s Landing. There are lots of them and are a fascinating and wondrous exhibit of carvings in snow.

Check out this need video and story of the snow sculpture event here.

There’s some interesting music this weekend, too, with Mysterious Ways, including the sheriff of Cook County, playing their energetic rock at two different venues. For a different experience, consider the Grace Notes, which is playing Celtic music and more at The Cove at the Best Western on Saturday night, Gordon Thorne at the North Shore Winery, Common Ground at the Wunder Bar and the Joshua J Schmidt Band at Papa Charlie’s. Check the music schedule below for all the music this week.

On Wednesday, WDSE’s “Historic Trails in Northern Minnesota” will be screened at Voyageur Brewing Co. at 6 p.m. The documentary follows the Gunflint Trail, Voyageurs National Forest trails and the Mesabi Trail through their fascinating pasts, their multi-faceted modern uses, and explore what lays ahead for these winding paths.

Exhibits:

This is the last weekend to see the Winter Plein Air exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post. More than 20 plein air painters spent a week at YMCA Camp Menogyn during the Polar Vortex and came out with some amazing work.

True, a lot of time was probably spent indoors, see below.

But the painters did get outside to make some great work.

The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

Tettegouche State Park is hosting a photography exhibit entitled Polar Vortex through March 1, when there will be a closing reception from 5-7 p.m.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art has just opened a new exhibit entitled “Space: Time and Place,” and features photographs from their collection that address movement and engage with spatial dimensionality as structure and symbol. Here’s one of the photographs in the exhibit.

This is the last weekend to see the Member Show at the Duluth Art Institute. The exhibit includes a wide variety of work by member artists in a number of different media.

Carla Hamilton is the featured artist at the Zeitgeist Arts Cafe in Duluth this month.

In Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery notes that this is the final two weeks to see “Exorcism” by internationally acclaimed artist Carl Beam.

This work was the Gallery’s first commissioned piece; measuring 7 ft by 20 ft, it remains to this day the most massive and materially complex piece in the permanent collection.

We thought we might mention some events in the Twin Cities. NCECA, or the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, is coming to Minneapolis for it’s annual convention, Claytopia. It’s only the second time they’ve visited the city. All the potters from miles around are getting ready, and ceramic exhibits have already started. Word is there will be 100 clay exhibits in the Twin Cities by the time the convention starts at the end of March. Here’s just one example:

“Finding the Authentic Self,” which opened  Sunday at the Sabes JCC, was inspired by a song by Minnesota musician Dan Israel. Curated by Steve Basile, a longtime ceramics collector, founder of the Curated Ceramics website and the large, very active and occasionally scrappy Studio Pottery Collectors Facebook group, the show will feature work by 16 potters and one painter.

Pieces will be accompanied by short essays, written by the artists, that address the exhibition theme. The exhibit continues through the end of March.

And FYI,  Here’s an article about Claytopia.

Upcoming:

Maple Syruping, Skill Share, at North House Folk School, 7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 28. Free.

The Art of Healing Exhibition by the Violence Prevention Center, Johnson Heritage Post, opening reception, 5-7 p.m., Friday, March 1. Stay tuned for details.

Sones de Mexico, Mexico’s premier folk music organization specializing in Mexican “Son,” and a variety of regional styles, will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m.

They will be in concert for an evening of music and dance. Everyone invited. Tickets are $15.

There will be an Artists Talk with Keith Morris and Jim Ringquist at North Shore Health at 7 p.m. March 14. Morris has been exhibiting his illustrations and paintings in the hallways of the hospital. Ringquist has been exhibiting his photographs. All invited.

Artist News:

Betsy Bowen’s latest book, “The Lost Forest” has arrived in her studio.

Mike Loeffler, artisan in residence at North House Folk School, is exhibiting his bird bowls at the Norway House in the Twin Cities, along with two Norwegian craftsmen.

Music:

Here’s the music for the week:

Thursday, Feb. 21:

• Eric Frost, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Open Stage, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 22:

• Matt Trost and Laurel Clark, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Jon Miller and the Home Brews, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Jim and Michele Miller, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 23:

• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• James Moors, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• The Grace Notes, The Cove at Best Western, 5 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 6:45 p.m.
• Common Ground, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• The Sprigs, Voyageur Brewing, 7 p.m.
• Chris Silver Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 9 p.m.
• Joshua J Schmidt Band, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 24:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Rhoda Anderson, Wunderbar, 2 p.m.
• Chris Silver Band, Papa Charlie’s, 3:30 p.m.
• Rhoda Anderson, Gun Flint, 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 24:

• Actual Wolf, Monday Songwriter’s Series, Papa Charle’s, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 25:

• Jim and Michele Miller, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Open Mic with Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 26:

• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• John Mark Nelson, Wednesday Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

We found some great photographs this week. Here is a selection.

Wildlife:

 

 

 

 

We found lots of Lake Superior ice shots:

 

 

 

 

 

And some fantastic Snow Moon shots:

 

 

And this incredible shot by Thomas Spence. It was the featured shot on www.spaceweather.com on Wednesday.

And finally, a portrait of one of the photographers that make all of this possible:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

Looking at all the events scheduled for this week, you’d think summer was here. It’s not. Instead, we’re in the Northwoods celebrating winter, and that includes lots of cozy time inside.

First up on Valentine’s Day is a Lunch and Learn at North House Folk School, part of the on-going Northern Fibers Retreat there.  On Thursday at noon, Mary Richert will give a presentation about the Community Felted Rug Project. Come learn about the 3-week project and see the beautiful result. Free. It is too late to sign up for the catered lunch, but everyone is invited to bring their own.

Then that evening, the 2nd annual Valentine’s Day Hotdish Hoe-down will be held at the Wunderbar. This should be a totally fun time with square dancing and a homemade hot dish competition.

The dancing starts at 5:30 p.m. with the No Promises String Band (fiddle, banjo, piano and upright bass) who will play Old Time music for a family square dance. Then, there’s a break for the hotdish potluck competition and lots of sampling. Dancing continues from 8-10 p.m. No experience and no partners needed. All invited. Tickets are $10 for the hotdish assortment. The regular menu at the Wunderbar is available as well. All welcome.

Friday is really busy in Grand Marais.

At noon, Martha Owen, sheep farmer and resident fiber artist at the John C. Campbell Folk School, will give a presentation at North House Folk School entitled “Sheep and Wool Through Story and Song.”

She will host a session of storytelling about her life raising sheep and angora rabbits and pursuing her passion for craft. She will share tales, good humor and maybe even a tune or two on her banjo during the Lunch and Learn session. All are welcome. The deadline to ordered catered lunch has passed, but please do bring your own lunch. Open to all.

At 5 p.m, the WTIP’s The Roadhouse will host three artists who will talk about their work and upcoming presentations: photographer Craig Blacklock, author Mary Ellen Ashcroft and photographer Bryan Hansel. The show airs from 5-7 p.m.

At 6 p.m. on Friday, Drury Lane Books will host the a capella group, SVEA, for an outdoor concert by the bonfire, weather permitting.

The music is part of the the Many Lights Fundraiser, which raises funds for the ISD PTA so fifth graders can go to Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center later this year. It’s also an art installation, as candles are lit in the ice globes scattered on the shore of Lake Superior.

The ice globes are funded by donations to Cook County High School. Each light is $5. The lights are lit just before the SVEA concert. The public is invited to drop by the school and make their donations before Friday. The concert is free.

Also on Friday night, photographer Craig Blacklock will give an Artist Talk at the Grand Marais Art Colony at 7 pm. Blacklock, who has won numerous awards and has published 18 books of his photography, is currently exhibiting a selection  of his photographs at the Art Colony. The year 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and Blacklock’s exhibition celebrates this anniversary and the beauty of the St. Croix and Namekagon rivers.

The Blacklock’s exhibition has shown in such prestigious locations as the Mill City Museum and the Minnesota Marine Art Museum. The Artist Talk is free. All invited.

And finally on Friday at 7 p.m., the Northwoods Fiber Guild will host a “Show & Share” at North House Folk School, part of the Northern Fibers Retreat.

And the Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) Festival continues in Grand Marais. Lots to do, including a Fireplace Tour. Check out the locations here.

On Saturday morning, the Northwoods Fiber Guild will host Fiber For Kids! from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Families are invited to join skilled artists from the Northwoods Fiber Guild to create hands-on fiber projects designed specifically for kids and a helpful adult. Students will choose and create their own fiber crafts such as tapestry weaving on a cardboard loom, Suminagoshi Japanese ink marbling on paper, felted wool bracelets, sewing felt critters, and Kumihimo braiding projects. Everyone will leave with at least 4 completed projects. All invited. The cost is $15 Adult/Child. Additional $5 per child.

And then, at noon, weavers Janet Meany and Mary Erickson will give a Lunch & Learn presentation on at North House Folk School entitled “Kangaspuut: Finnish American Weavers & Their Looms.” They will talk about how old handmade looms and the rag rugs woven on them carry the stories of Finnish immigrants in Northeastern Minnesota. All invited. Free. Bring a lunch.

Author Mary Ellen Ashcroft will read from her new book, “OMG: Growing Our God Images” at Drury Lane Books at 5 p.m.

The author will also answer questions and be available to sign her book. Open to all.

We continue with lots to do this week with the Pincushion Mountain Winter Ski Festival on Sunday.

The festival celebrates the 4oth anniversary of the  North Superior Ski and Running Club. A wide variety of races will be offered all day, and the public is invited to sign up for a race or two or come up and cheer the racers on.

On Tuesday, there will be an informational meeting for the launch of North Shore Crafters, a new organization that will work with people who want to make extra money by crafting at home. The meeting will be held at the Wunderbar at 5 p.m. At the meeting, woodworking, felting and sewing will be presented. Participants will be able to sign up for a workshop to receive instruction and given patterns and materals to get started. Instructors include Wood: Merlin Kiel, Howard Hedstrom and Jim Sannerud; Sewing: Sara Jane Tompkins, Mary Ellen Ashcroft and Judie Johnson; Felting” Karen Kobey, Elise Kyllo and Bonnie Gay Hedstrom. For more info, email maryellenvicar@gmail.com, Judiej@boreal.org or bkennedy@boreal.org or call Beth at 387-1314.

Also on Tuesday, the Grand Marais Art Colony will hold a session of  “Artist to Artist Input: Critical Response” with Lynn Speaker from 6-8:30 p.m. This is an artist-led critique session. The process allows artists to ask questions about their work in a non-judgmental setting through a facilitated dialogue between artists, peers, and audiences. There is a $10 suggested donation. Call the Art Colony at 387-2737 for more info.

On Wednesday, the Art Colony will host a Community Conversation: The State of the Arts in Cook County  as well as the rest of the state via a Skype conversation with Sheila Smith, executive director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts. Find out what’s happening and how you can be involved. The session runs from noon to 2 p.m. All invited.

And finally, on Wednesday, Cook County photographer, Bryan Hansel, will give a presentation at the Grand Marais Public Library at 6 p.m. Entitled “100 Days on the Road: The Life of a Landscape Photographer,” Hansel will present pictures, talk about the work it took to make them, what’s it like to run away from a sandstorm, shoot whitewater canoeing and photographing in the pouring rain.

Hansel’s presentation will cover a year of his adventures visiting locations such as Death Valley, the Black Hills, the Rio Grande River, the Boundary Waters, Glacier National Park, the Grand Tetons, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the Great Smoky Mountains and more. All invited. Free.

Exhibits:

 The Winter Plein Air exhibit continues at the Johnson Heritage Post Gallery with more than 100 paintings of the Northwoods in winter.

The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Thursday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

An exhibit of photographs of the North Shore taken by students of John Gregor continues in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.

The title of the show is “Polar Vortex.” The class had been scheduled months in advance, but that week the Polar Vortex arrived. The photographers went out to shoot anyway.

In Duluth, a new exhibit of paintings by Sarah Brooke has opened at the Duluth Pottery, 1924 W. Superior St.

The exhibit is entitled “Sacred Selves” and continues through March 31.

The Tweed Museum of Art is opening a new photography exhibit on Tuesday, Feb. 19 entitled “Space: Time and Place.”

The Fibre Exhibition at the Baggage Building Arts Centre in Thunder Bay features work by more than 20 artists, including weaving, crocheting, quilting, textiles and knitting.

The exhibit continues through March 24.

Opportunities:

Lynn Speaker will teach a workshop on funding sources for artists at the Grand Marais Art Colony from noon to 1:30 on  Feb. 21. For more info, click here.

And next week, North House Folk School will start it’s free Skill Sharing series with Steeking: Making that Knitted Garment Fit. It will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 21. The next Thursday, Feb. 28, the Skill Share will be Maple Syruping. Stay tuned.

Music:

Thursday, Feb. 14;

• Briand Morrison & Rosann Berglund, The Cove at the Best Western, 5 p.m.
• Rod & Carah Boo, Skyport Lodge, 5 p.m.
• Second Annual Hot Dish Hoedown, No Promises Swing Band, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Poplar River Pub, 7 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 15:

• Colleen Myhre, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• SVEA Bonfire Concert, Drury Lane Books, 6 p.m.
• Jim & Michele Miller, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Charlie Roth, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
• Black River Revue, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 16:

• Jon Cron, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• J Squared and the Makers, Papa Charlie’s, 6:45 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, 7 p.m., www.michaelmonroemusic.com
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• North Shore Community Swing Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Tony Peterson and Colleen Myhre, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 17:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.m
• Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
• Open Mic with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Papa Charlie’s, 6:45 p.m.
• Billy Johnson, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 18:

• Joe Paulik, Bluefin Grile, 8 p.m.
• Dusty Heart, Monday Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Open Mic Night with Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.
• Fathom Lane, Wednesday Songwriter Series, 8 p.m.

Photographs:

Here’s’ a selection of photos we found this week:

Wildlife:

Here’s an icy animal:

And no animal at all.

Other winter stories:

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, this beauty, which totally shows winter on the North Shore. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend, everyone!