North Shore Arts Scene

Summer on the North Shore continues, with lots of cool things to do and see over the weekend. (And yes, it’s been cool here, but it should warm up nicely over the weekend.)

First up is the Arrowhead Sketchers, an open group offering weekly plein air art opportunities for people who sketch or paint. This week, the Arrowhead Sksetchers will meet at the Cutface Creek Rest Area, about 5 miles west of Grand Marais on Hwy. 61, from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday. Bring pencil and paints. Free. No skill needed.

On Friday, check out all the music in the county, including Music by the Campfire with Pete Kavanaugh.

In Thunder Bay, the Definitely Superior Art Gallery will hold a Gala Reception and Opening from 7-11 p.m. (EDT) on Friday night. The exhibits include the 29th Anniversary Annual Members Show, featuring works by more than 100 member-artists, as well as an artist talk, music and a sound/multi-media performance.

The show includes two exhibits by critically acclaimed visiting Indigenous artists who are based in Vancouver, B.C. All exhibits run through Aug. 12.

On Saturday, the Cook County Market starts off the day at 9 a.m. in the Senior Center parking lot. The Market features a wide variety of crafts created by local artists and artisans and runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Also on Saturday, the Grand Marais Art Colony hosts Saturdays in the Studio, featuring free demonstrations open to the public. This week, potter Bob Tamanaha will be in the ceramics studio at the Art Colony from 1-2 p.m., throwing pots and talking about the process of making a finished piece. Everyone invited. Free.

To cap off Demo-Saturday, there will be a Bronze Pour at 4 p.m. at Last Chance Gallery in Lutsen.

Come see this fiery creative process and learn more about sculpting in bronze.

On Saturday night, come to the Arrowhead Center for the Arts and listen to opera. The Grand Marais Playhouse will present the Northern Lights Music Festival at 7:30 p.m. featuring famous opera pieces sung by Northern Lights Music Festival apprentices. They will perform scenes from Mozart’s Magic Flute, L’elisir d’amour, Hansel and Gretel, Carmen and Die Fledermaus.

The Northern Lights Music Festival is a three-week classical music performance program and music school which is held each summer on the Minnesota Iron Range.
Founded 14 years ago by concert pianist and Aurora native Veda Zuponcic, Northern Lights brings together award-winning students and internationally known performers and teachers in a unique program that includes daily lessons, chamber music coachings, masterclasses and numerous performance opportunities.

Tickets for this performance are $15 adults, $5 students. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

Exhibits

This is the last weekend of the Minneapolis College of Art & Design exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post. The exhibit features work by MCAD graduates in a variety of media.

.The Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays. It is open rom 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and Monday, and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Spring Art Underground Show continues at the Betsy Bowen Gallery and Studios, which is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Next week, the gallery will host Jeremy Vaughn, who has been living and working in Jingdezhen, China, one of the centers for porcelain pottery in China. He will have new work and talk about his artistic process, making porcelain forms inspired by Lake Superior using traditional Chinese porcelain methods. His presentation will be from 3-4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 22. Stay tuned for details.

The Tweed Museum of Art continues its exhibit of photographs of people, entitled 1,000 Words. This week, we feature a detail of a portrait of Greg Utyro of Superior, Wis.,  by Kip Praslowicz.

 

The 1,000 Words exhibition continues through the summer.

The Plein Air Duluth competition continues this week with an exhibition of the completed work at Blacklist Beer, 120 E. Superior St., in Duluth.

The opening reception is at 5 p.m. July 14.  Prizes will be awarded during the opening reception by Juror Matt Kania, and the Randy Lee Trio will play. To see photos of some of the paintings, click here.

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery‘s exhibit, “The Perspective from Here: 150 Artists From the North” continues through Sept. 25.

Upcoming

.The Johnson Heritage Post will open a fiber art exhibit on Friday, July 21, entitled “Marie Westerman and Jill Ewald – Threads of Time and Place.”

The exhibit at the Heritage Post opens with a reception from 5-7 p.m. July 21. Stay tuned for details next week.

Flowers and gardens will be celebrated next weekend. too. The West End Garden Club’s annual Flower Show will be held at the Birch Grove Community Center from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, July 22.

The Birch Grove Community Center is a new location for the flower show. The title of this year’s exhibit: “Contain It.”

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery‘s annual Garden Tour is next weekend, too. The self-guided tour is a fundraiser for the gallery. Tickets are $25.

For more information and tickets, click here.

Tickets are now on sale for Unplugged  at North House Folk School, Sept. 13-18. The Saturday night performance will include Kevin Kling, Dan Chouinard, Prudence Johnson, Simone Perrin, Dane Stauffer, and Claudia Schmidt, as well as Unplugged alumni Jon Vezner and Don Henry. Other events for the weekend include  the Flannel Formal, a 20th Anniversary Gala, a craft marketplace, a speaker series, coursework, and abundant music and stories as the autumn season begins to emerge on the North Shore. For tickets and more info, visit www.northhouse.org

The Cross River Heritage Center holds a quilt raffle every year for a handmade beautiful quilt as a fundraiser for the organization and the Schroeder Area Historical Society. This year’s quilt is entitled “Rainbow Dreams” and was made and machine quilted by Nancy Hansen of Lutsen. Tickets for the raffle are $2 and can be purchased at the Heritage Center.

The drawing for the quilt will be held during the Cross River Heritage Center Holiday Sale and Lefse and Krum kaka Hoop Dee Doo Nov. 18.

Window Shopping

 

 

 

 

 

And here’s the music for this week:

Thursday, July 13:

• Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, Lutsen Resort, 6 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Gun Flint Tavern, 9 p.m.

Friday, July 14:

• Billy Johnson, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Pete K–Music by the Campfire, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7 p.m.
• Chris Silver Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Grandma Ray’s, 9 p.m.
• Pushing Chain, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 1:

• Billy Johnson, North Shore Winery, 2 p.m.
• Matthew Griswold, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Dat Dere Jazz, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7 p.m.
• Chris Silver Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Grandma Ray’s, 9 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 16:

• Black River Revue, North Shore Winery, 2 p.m.
• Pushing Chain, Skyport Lodge, 7 p.m.

Monday, July 17:

• Open Mic Night, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Boyd Bump Blomberg, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, July 18:

• Mysterious Ways, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 19:

• Common Ground, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Here are some of the great photos we found this week:

First, some cool wildlife shots.

 

 

And some waterscapes:

 

 

 

 

And a beautiful woodland flower:

 

And a spectacular lighthouse shot:

 

And an even more spectacular lighting shot:

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

P.S. I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this blog so far, especially those who have made donations in person. Wow! Amazing. Thank you so much. If you’d like to support the effort that goes into crafting this blog every week, click on the button below. And thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer appears to have finally arrived, and just in time! The Grand Marais Arts Festival is this weekend, and it looks like it’s going to be stellar weather with lots of great art and activities to enjoy.

The Grand Marais Arts Festival Weekend kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday when more than 70 local and regional artists  featured in this year’s festival will open their booths for our enjoyment. The Arts Festival is sponsored by the Grand Marais Art Colony.

Work in every medium is featured in this dynamic show, including painting, clay, glass, fiber, metal, photography, prints, wood and more. This show is a chance to explore the work of local artists as well. In all, 14 Cook County artists are exhibiting their work this year. They include Maggie Anderson, Gail Anderson, Julie Arthur, Betsy Bowen, Tom Crosby, Joan Farnam, Nancy Hemstad Seaton, Mary Jane Huggins, Judith Johnson, Mary MacDonald, Jeff Morgan, Neil Sherman, Natalie Sobanja and Cooper Ternes.

The Arts Festival is more than just artists displaying their work, too. There are all kinds of on-going activities at the Grand Marais Art Colony‘s tent over the weekend, including screen printing a T-shirt or tote (both days), , drawing the lighthouse, creating a superhero, mask-making and more,  as well as a number of demonstrations. To see the complete schedule, click here.

The Art Colony also holds a Clothesline Art Sale as fundraiser for the organization featuring small 5 x 7-inch artworks crafted by local and regional artists. This is always a fun part of the festival, since the artworks are only signed on the back, making the art choice one of “I-like-this-one” and then a pleasant surprise when the work is turned over and the artist is revealed. They are $35 each.

There’s lots going on in the downtown neighborhood, too. WTIP Community Radio with Jay Andersen and  Roger Linnehan will be broadcasting live from the festival on Saturday morning and The Northwoods Fiber Guild will be demonstrating on the lawn of the Johnson Heritage Post on Saturday.

There’s live music in Harbor Park, too. Check the music schedule below.

In Harbor Park, Mila Horak will be hosting this year’s Community Print-by-Number. The theme this year is “Imagine the Northwoods.” Participation is free. All invited. Horak will be set up in Harbor Park on both days.

Also, Mark Lusardi from Continental Clay Co. in Minneapolis will be doing raku pottery demonstrations across from Java Moose on Saturday and Sunday. Participants can pick a pot, glaze it and watch it being fired. Prices vary, according to the size of the pot. And Joy & Company will be holding art activities all weekend.
It’s a great weekend for the arts in Grand Marais. No doubt about that. See you there!

Meanwhile there’s lots of other activities going on in the county, too.

The Arrowhead Sketchers will be at the Rec Park campground on Thursday from 5-7 p.m. to sketch the campground and nearby North House Folk School. Ellen Dolan is host. All invited to bring their notebooks, pencils and paints and sketch.

Tettegouche State Park will open a new exhibit in the Great Hall with a reception at 7 p.m. on Thursday. This month’s exhibit features paintings by Kat Corrigan.

On Saturday, Last Chance Gallery in Lutsen will host a bronze pour at 4 p.m. at the gallery. All invited to see this fun demonstration that combines fire and molten bronze to create art.

Then at 7 p.m.on Saturday, author Ann Marie Mershon will give a reading at Drury Lane Books. Mershon pent nearly five years teaching in Turkey, struggling with loneliness as she adapted to a new culture, and finally coming to love the Turks and their world.

She’ll be reading from her memoir, “You Must Only to Love Them, Lessons Learned in Turkey.” Discussion on Turkey’s changing political and social climate will follow.

Also on Saturday evening, Dom Flemons, co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. You can get a preview of his music by listening to WTIP Community Radio at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

A Grammy-Award-winning musician, singer-songwriter, and slam poet, Flemons carries on the songster tradition, striving to mix traditional music forms with a contemporary approach to create new sounds that appeal to wider audiences.

In his recent solo album “Prospect Hill (2014), Flemons draws from a wide range of styles, including ragtime, Piedmont blues, spirituals, Southern traditional, string-band, fife-and-drum, and jug-band music.

He began his career as a performer in Phoenix, Ariz., where he produced 25 albums for singer-songwriters and slam poets. In 2005, Flemons co-founded the Carolina Chocolate Drops, an African-American string band that won a Grammy for its 2010 album “Genuine Negro Jig.”
Today, Flemons tours throughout the United States as The American Songster. In February 2016, he performed at Carnegie Hall for a Tribute to Lead Belly. In September 2016, he performed at the opening ceremonies for the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

In addition to the evening concert, the North Shore Music Association will also host two educational outreach events by Flemons at the Grand Marais Public Library on Saturday, July 8. Both of these events are free and open to all ages: American Folk Music History Talk & Demo at 1 p.m; and “Rhythm Bones” workshop at 2 p.m. (rhythm bones provided; participants welcome to bring guitars, fiddles, banjoes, etc. to jam.)

On Sunday, local author Reed Schmidt will give a Full Moon Reading at Drury Lane Books at 8 p.m. Under the July moon, author Schmidt will read selected poems by selected poets. Following each poem, an intimate, humorous or tangential letter will be read. The letters were written by Reed in response to the poet’s work. If you have letters, notes, grocery lists or poems to read, please bring them to share. You are invited to read them at any point during the reading. All invited. Free.

Exhibits

The Minneapolis College of Art & Design exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post continues this week, featuring a variety of work from the college’s alumni.

The Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and Monday and from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday.
The Tweed Museum of Art continues its exhibit of notable photographs of people taken by a wide variety photographers. This week, we feature a historical photo “Taos Water Girls” bu Edward Sheriff Curtis.

Two exhibits are featured at the Duluth Art Institute this month: “Peripheral Vignettes: Jonathan Thunder” featuring paintings as well as videos by the artist and “Play: Robert Dewitt Adams, Elizabeth LaPensee, & Christopher Selleck” who explore games, gaming and game mechanics.

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery continues its exhibit “The Perspective from Here: 150 Artists from the North.”

 Upcoming

Frozen Britches (Tom Van Cleve and Eric Hahn) play Irish music at Cascade Lodge Pub the from 6-8 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of every month. There are often special guests, too. Next week, July 13, Jim Aman, a penny whistle virtuoso, will play with the group. All musicians are welcome to sit in.

Marty Harris will open an exhibit at the Hopkins Center for the Arts on Friday, July 14, with a reception from 6-8 p.m. Entitled “Sidewalk to Superior, “it features work he did while exploring the North Shore.

Stars of the North Music Festival, a fundraiser to raise money for a music lesson program for area youth and music instructors, will be held at Harbor Park July 28. The event is organized by the Grand Marais Music Collaborative. Stay tuned for details.

Window Shopping

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s the music schedule for the week:

Thursday, July 6:

• Plucked Up String Band, live at WTIP, 1 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, July 7:

• The Kilbourne Quartet, Live at WTIP, 1 p.m.
• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Fred Anderson, Live at WTIP, 4 p.m.
• The Wrong Omar, Live at WTIP, 5 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• The Wrong Omar, Gun Flint Tavern, 9 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 8:

• Joe Paulik, Harbor Park, 9:30 a.m.
• Eric Frost & Bill Hansen, Harbor Park, noon
• Briand Morrison, Harbor Park, 2:30 p.m.
• Dom Flemons, Live at WTIP, 3 p.m.
• Two-Bit Revival, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Common Ground, Live at WTIP, 4 p.m.
• SplinterTones, Live at WTIP, 5 p.m.
• J Squared and the Makers, Papa Charlie’s, 6 p.m.
• Common Ground, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, 7 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Dom Flemons in Concert, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.
• SplinterTones, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 9:

• Briand Morrison, Harbor Park, 9:30 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Harbor Park, noon
• Sky Blue Trio, Live at WTIP, 2 p.m.
• SplinterTones, Mogul’s Grille, 5 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Skyport Lodge, 5 p.m.
• Jim & Michelle Miller, Gunflint Lodge, 7 p.m.

Monday, July 10:

• Briand Morrison & Roxann Berglund, Live at WTIP, 1 p.m.

Wednesday, July 12

• Date Night with Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

And here are some of the photos we found this week:

 

 

Here are two takes on a foggy day:

 

We found lots of fireworks photos. Here are a few.

 

 

Here’s a great shot, too.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

FYI: Donations are now being accepted to help support NorthShore ArtScene. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

The summer season kicks into high gear in this weekend with the  Hovland Summer Arts Festival at the Hovland Town Hall July 1-2 followed by 4th of July celebrations next week.

This is the 12th year that Hovland artists have gathered together at the Hovland Town Hall for the festival, which now includes artists from surrounding communities. Painters, potters, fiber artists, jewelry makers, photographers, woodworkers, basketmakers and bead artists are featured at this festival as well as a wide variety of arts and crafts. The festival is held in the at the Hovland Town Hall, with booths indoors and outdoors.

There’s lots of live music, too, and refreshments are available on-site. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Singer/songwriter Joe Paulik kicks off the music at 10 a.m. on Saturday in the new timber-framed pavilion at the Town Hall. Rod & Caribou play at noon and Common Ground plays at 2 p.m. On Sunday, Jim McGowan performs at 10:30 a.m. followed by Boyd Blomberg at 12:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to come out and see what Hovland has to offer this summer.

There’s plenty to do in the county this week, too.

On Thursday, the Arrowhead Sketchers will gather at Cascade State Park to sketch its beauty from 5-7 p.m. Sketchers, painters, photographers and observers are invited to join the group to tackle the many opportunities the North Shore offers for their art.

Last week, the Sketchers set up at the Blue Moose Garden Center. Here is a selection of what they produced.

Also on Thursday, Duluth singer/songwriters Rachel Kilgour and Sara Pajunen (Sound an Echo) and the Cook County acapella group, Svea, will perform at a Backyard Concert at the Art House B&B, 8 7th Ave. W. in Grand Marais.

Svea opens the performance at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. (The concert will be held indoors if it rains.) All invited.

Also on Thursday night, the Duluth Art Institute will hold a gala opening reception for two new exhibits. The reception will be held from 5-7 p.m.

A solo exhibit by Jonathan Thunder, “Peripheral Vignettes,” features all new paintings and will be accompanied by a color catalog, an animation screening, and an artist talk and book signing. “Play” showcases the work of three artists—Robert Dewitt Adams, Elizabeth LaPensee, and Christoper Selleck—who all explore games, gaming and game mechanics in their work; and artist Robb Quisling has been commissioned to create a game of croquet in the corridor space. Tie-in programs will happen throughout the run of show, from a game night and an artist talk to a lecture. Both exhibitions share a reception on Thursday, June 29 from 5 – 7 p.m., and jazz guitarist by Briand Morrison will play. It sounds like a fun opening and two exceptional exhibits. All invited. Free.

Saturday kicks off with the Cook County Market featuring a variety of arts and crafts by Cook County artisans as well as locally crafted artisan breads, baked goods and more. The Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Senior Center parking lot.

Besides the Hovland Summer Arts Festival, other art-related activities include Saturdays in the Studio at the Grand Marais Art Colony. This week, printmaker Jerry Raich will demonstrate intaglio printmaking from 1-2 p.m. in the Art Colony’s print studio. Free. All invited.

And Last Chance Gallery will hold a Bronze Pour at 4 at the gallery. This is a great chance to see how bronze sculptures are made. Free. All invited.

On Sunday, July 2, the Chik-Wauk Nature Center will hold the grand opening for a new exhibit “Remembering the Ham Lake Fire 2007″ from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The exhibit commemorates the 10th anniversary of the Ham Lake Fire, which burned 75,851 acres in Minnesota (36,443) and Ontario (39,408), the second largest fire in Minnesota since 1918 (The 2011 Pagami Fir burnt 93,000 acres).  In all,  133 structures were lost in the first few days of the fire on the Minnesota side. Sixty-one (61) were residences, 17 commercial, and 55 were outbuildings and other structures.  The estimated value of lost buildings by the Cook County Assessor’s office was $3.7 million.

The Ham Lake Fire exhibit includes displays, photographs, Good Measure Media’s Ham Lake Fire video and interviews from WTIP Radio as well as interactive features. Everyone is invited to see this exhibit, which documents an event that impacted the entire county.

On Monday, July 3, Briand Morrison will present “Musical Impressions: The Art of George Morrison” at the Grand Portage Community Building.  The performance is from 7-8 p.m.

“Musical Impressions: The Art of George Morrison” is a blu-ray disc produced by Briand  consisting of 128 images created by his father, George Morrison, from the 1940s through 2000. The accompanying sound track consists of 12 original jazz compositions composed and performed by Briand.  Some of these images have never been shown to the public. All invited.

On Tuesday, July 4, “fire” will light up the skies from Grand Portage to Tofte as communities celebrate the national holiday with elaborate fireworks.

The 4th of July celebrations begin Tuesday morning with the annual 39th Annual Tofte Trek 10k Wilderness Run, which starts out at the Birch Grove Community Center. Registration is at 8 a.m. The event includes kids’ runs, a youth mile run, and then the runners and walkers hit the trail, mud guaranteed.

The Trek is followed by the festival at the Tofte Town Park iwhich includes bingo, an art and craft show, live music, food and a 4th of July parade at 2 p.m. Fireworks at dark.

In Grand Marais, the First Congregational Church holds a Pie Social from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, followed by The SplinterTones, who will play in Harbor Park starting at 8 p.m. Fireworks displays will be held after dark (around 10 p.m.) in Grand Marais and Grand Portage.

There are a number of great exhibits to see this week, too.

First up is the Minneapolis College of Art & Design exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post. The show features work by graduates of MCAD, and includes a variety of different media, including painting, photography and prints.

The Johnson Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday as well as Monday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. It is closed on Tuesdays.

The Spring Art Underground Show at Betsy Bowen’s Galleries and Studio continues this month.

Illustrator Adam Frankiewicz has an exhibit of his insect drawings at Tettegouche State Park through this weekend. Kat Corrigan will open new show at Tettegouche next Thursday, July 6.

The Tweed Museum of Art exhibit, “1000 Words” exhibit continues with exeptional images of people taken by a variety of photographers. Here’s one of a city council meeting in Minnesota in 1999.

At the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in Thunder Bay, the exhibit “The Perspective From Here: 150 Artists From the North” continues through Sept. 24.

 Upcoming

 The Grand Marais Arts Festival is next weekend, July 8-9, featuring more than 70 local and regional artists who set up their white tents in downtown Grand Marais to showcase their handcrafted work and provide insight into their artistic process through demonstration and dialogue. Fiber arts, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, woodworking, jewelry and more are featured in this show. There will be demonstrations throughout the weekend, including raku firings by staff from Continental Clay in Minneapolis. It’s always a fun and busy weekend in Grand Marais. Stay tuned for details.

Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery in Lutsen will host a Painting Party from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, July 8. Pam Fioritto will instruct participants on creating an acrylic painting. Cost is $40/person and includes supplies, professional instruction, snacks and refreshments. Call 218-387-3585 to reserve your spot as space is limited.

Grammy Award-winning musician, Don Flemons, will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 8. The concert is sponsored by the North Shore Music Association. Tickets at www.tix.com.

In Other Art News:

The Minnesota College of Art & Design has donated an historic three-panel painting by Birney Quick to the Johnson Heritage Post.

Quick, 1912-1981, was a Minneapolis artist who began teaching at the Minneapolis College o Art & Design in 1946. He is the co-founder of the Grand Marais Art Colony.

Window Shopping

 

 

 

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, June 29:

• Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, Lutsen Resort, 6:30 p.m.
• Sound an Echo with Svea,  Art House B& B, 7 p.m.

Friday, June 30:

• Jim Cooper, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• J Squared and the Makers, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 1:

• Joe Paulik, Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland, 10 p.m.
• Rod & Caribou, Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland, noon
• Common Ground, Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland, 2 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Voyageur Brewing Co., 7 p.m.
• Dat Dere Jazz, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, 7 p.m.
• Circuit Breakers, Grandma Ray’s, 9 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 2:

• Jim McGowan, Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland, 10:30 p.m.
• Bump Blomberg, Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland, 12:30 p.m.
• American Feedbag, Skyport Lodge,  5 p.m.

Monday, June 3:

• Open Mic Night, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Scott Fraser, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, July 4:

• Plucked Up String Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• SplinterTones, Harbor Park, 8-10 p.m.

Wednesday, July 5:

• Date Night with Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

 

And here is a selection of great photos we found this week:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

As you might or might not know, this is a solo endeavor crafted to support the arts and artists on the North Shore. If you’d like to make a donation to keep this weekly blog alive and well, click on the button below. And Thank You!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings from Grand Marais, where the first lupines of summer bloom in gardens and along roadsides throughout the county.

This week, look for author talks, art openings, a celebration and lots of great music.

Thursday is a busy day in Grand Marais.

First up is a presentation by William Durbin, a two-time Minnesota Book Award winner, who will give a presentation at the Grand Marais Public Library at 1 p.m. on Thursday.

Durbin’s novels focus on the history of Northeastern Minnesota and include “Dead Man’s Rapids,” “The Winter War,” “El Lector” and “The Broken Blade,” to name a few. He will talk about how he developed and researched his novels, and show slides of archival photos that help bring history to life. The presentation is free. All invited.

The Grand Marais Art Colony will celebrate the renovation of the Founder’s Hall, the 100-year-old historic building that is now the Visual Arts Studio, with a reception and open house from 4-6 p.m. Thursday. Originally the St. Johns’ Catholic Church, the building was purchased by the Art Colony in the 1960’s.

With a rotting structural beam, no insulation, and inadequate lighting, the Historic Building needed much love.  Thanks to the generous individual donors and the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA); Cook County,  and the McKnight Foundation, the Art Colony has invested more than $130,000 into the building to preserve it for future generations. Everyone is invited to the open house. Refreshments will be served.

Also on Thursday, representatives from the Minnesota State Arts Board will be in Grand Marais. They will give a presentation on how the State Arts Board can help individuals and organizations at North House Folk School from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. To register, click here. Individual appointments can also be set up by calling Natalie Kennedy at 61-215-1617 or email her at natalie.kennedy@arts.state.mn.us

The Arrowhead Sketchers will meet at the Blue Moose Garden Center from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday. The public is invited to join the Sketchers to draw, paint or photograph the unique garden center architecture, flowers and garden decor. Free.

A new exhibit opens at the Johnson Heritage Post on Friday. The exhibit, entitled “The Minneapolis College of Art & Design Alumni Art Show,” features artwork by six artists including Reid Thorpe, Sarah Evenson, Evan Abrahamson, Hannah & Nick Love, Sarah Wieben and Sandra Felemovicius.

The exhibit includes paintings, photographs, drawings and encaustic work. The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. on Friday with cool jazz by Chris Gillis and Max Bichel. During the show, an original Bernie Quick 3-panel painting donated to the Johnson Heritage Post‘s Permanent Collection by the Minnesota College of Art and Design, will be presented. All invited. The exhibit continues through July 16.

Also on Friday, Minneapolis dancer/performance artist Patrick Scully will be interviewed on WTIP’s The Roadhouse, which airs from 5-7 p.m. Scully will perform his piece on Walt Whitman at the Grand Marais Public Library at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Also on Friday, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery will hold an opening reception at 7:30 p.m. (EDT) for a new exhibit “The Perspective From Here: 150 Artists From The North.”  The exhibit is organized to mark Canada’s sesquicentennial.

Expect to see two-and three-dimensional art in all mediums from ceramics and textiles to paintings and photography.
 Dovetailed with the exhibition will be a roster of public events and online opportunities to enliven and engage audiences with the thematic Threads found throughout the show. The exhibit continues through Sept. 24

Saturday begins with the Cook County Market, featuring arts and crafts by local artisans as well as baked goods, including artisan breads and lemon bars.

The Cook County Market is held in the Senior Center parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

At 1 p.m. on Saturday, Bob Tamanaha will give a pottery demonstration in the Grand Marais Art Colony‘s clay studio. All invited. Free.

And then, probably the piece to resistance for the weekend, Minnesota author Lorna Landvik will be the featured speaker at a Writer’s Salon at Drury Lane Books from 7-8 p.m. on Saturday.

Landvik, who is a great public speaker, will discusses her newest novel, “Once Upon a Blue Moon Lodge,”  the sequel to her very popular first book, “Patty Jane’s House of Curl.”

In her new novel, Landvik follows Nora Rolvaag (the do-or-die-trying daughter of Patty Jane) and a cast of characters between city and wooded retreat, Minnesota and Norway, through a past that’s secret and a future that’s promising, but uncertain. With her trademark wit and warmth, Landvik is sure to entertain as well as give insight into writing and the characters she has developed in this evening presentation. Everyone invited. Free.

And not to forget the Park Point Art Fair in Duluth June 24-25. This is great art fair in a wonderful setting on Park Point.

This year, 120 artists have been juried into the show. Paintings, pottery, fiber art, glass, metal, jewelry and more are represented. There’s live music, too, as well as a variety of food vendors. The Art Fair is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It’s always a great show.

In Thunder Bay, the Baggage Building at Prince Arthur’s Landing will hold its Waterfront Art Sale June 24-25.

The exhibit includes art in a wide variety of mediums.

There are some great on-going exhibits on the North Shore as well.

The Spring Art Underground Show continues at Betsy Bowen Gallery and Studio, 301 1st Ave. W., in Grand Marais. The exhibit features work by more than 30 local and regional artists as well as Betsy Bowen’s woodcuts and books.

The Cross River Heritage Center is featuring a Quilt, Vintage Needlework and Fiber Arts show through July 31.

The Heritage Center is also holding a quilting next month class entitled “Quilting with Leftovers” with Minnesota master quilter Coralyn Koschinska. The class will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on July 15. Class size is limited to eight participants. Call Suzan at 218-663-7706 to sign up for the class or for more info.

The Tweed Museum of Art continues its outstanding exhibit, 1,000 Words, with images of people captured by photographers from around the world over the years. Here’s a great photo by Henri Cartier-Bresson that is in the exhibit, which continues through the summer.

Also on-going at The Tweed: “Sinew: Female Native Artists of the Twin Cities.”

The exhibit, featuring works in a variety of mediums, continues through Sept. 24.

Upcoming:

The Duluth Art Institute will display two new exhibitions next week with an opening reception from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 29. Briand Morrison will play.

The exhibits include a solo exhibit by Jonathan Thunder, “Peripheral Vignettes,” which features all new paintings and will be accompanied by a color catalog, an video screening, and an artist talk and book signing.

The second exhibit at the Art Institute, “Play” showcases the work of three artists—Robert Dewitt Adams, Elizabeth LaPensee, and Christoper Selleck—who all explore games, gaming and game mechanics in their work; and artist Robb Quisling has been commissioned to create a game of croquet in the corridor space. Tie-in programs will happen throughout the run of show, from a game night and an artist talk to a lecture.

The Summer Hovland Arts Festival is next weekend, July 1-2, at the Hovland Town Hall.

This popular festival features arts and crafts from Hovland as well as county wide artisans in a variety of mediums. Wood-turning, jewelry, paintings, photographs, pottery and more are featured at this show. Food is also available and a great selection of local musicians will play including Jim McGowan, Boyd Blomberg, Joe Paulik, Common Ground, Rod & Caribou to name a few. Stay tuned for details next week.

The Cross River Heritage Center and the Schroeder Area Historical Society will hold the Lundie Home Tour again this year, as a fundraiser.  Four new sites on the North Shore are included in this tour, which will be held July 8. For more information and tickets, contact the Cross River Heritage Center at 218-663-7706.

The 27th annual Grand Marais Arts Festival, featuring work by more than 70 local and regional artists, will be held in downtown Grand Marais July 8-9.

There are lots of things planned for the event, including art activities, a Clothesline Art Sale, a raku firing and more.

Cook County artists participating in the festival include Maggie Anderson, Gail Anderson, Betsy Bowen, Tom Crosby, Joan Farnam, Nancy Hemstad Seaton, MaryJane Huggins, Judith Johnson, Mary MacDonald, Jeff Morgan, Neil Sherman, Natalie Sobanja and Cooper Ternes.

Stay tuned for details. To find out more, click here.

 Opportunities:

 Singers of every age are invited to participate in “Hearing Our Voices: A Community Choral Recording Project” sponsored by the North Shore Music Association, Bethlehem Lutheran Church and the Sky Blue Jazz Ensemble. The objective of the project is to provide a recording experience for  a community-wide choir, using the annual Jazz Service at Bethlehem Lutheran as the template and to attract young singers into the choral community. Everyone is invited. Rehearsals will be held at the church at 7 p.m. on June 28 and July 5 with a performance at the church on July 9 at 10 a.m.. The recording will be held at the church on July 15. This should be a fun singing experience. For more info, contact mike.debevec@gmail.com or phone 218- 387- 2522.

 Painting in the BWCA with Neil Sherman, outfitting by Hungry Jack Outfitters. Join plein air painter Neil Sherman for three-days of painting and canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness July 17-20.

The group will be painting on scenic Duncan and Rose Lakes. Rose lake is well-known for it’s amazing views from the palisades along the Border Route trail, its quaint waterfalls and infamous Stairway Portage.  Hungry Jack Outfitters will provide everything except your sleeping bag and painting equipment.This will be an excellent experience for the beginning paddler and/or painter but is open to all levels of experience.  If you’ve been wanting to learn to paint and visit the BWCAW this class will be perfect for you. Class size is limited so make sure to register early. For more information and registration contact: Nancy Seaton at Hungry Jack Outfitters, 800-648-2922.

Registration is now open for the North Shore Readers & Writers Festival, which will be Nov. 2-5. Sponsored by the Grand Marais Art Colony and Drury Lane Books, the festival features authors, workshops and all-around engagement with the written word. For more info and to register, click here.

Window Shopping:

 

 

 

Here’s the music schedule for the week:

Thursday, June 22:

• Eric Frost, Lutsen Resort, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, June 23:

• Art Vandelay, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Evergreen Grass Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Pushing Chain, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.
• Blues Happy, Grandma Ray’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 24:

• Joe Paulik, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Jim & Michele Miller, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7 p.m.
• Pushing Chain, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Evergreen Grass Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• The 4ontheFloor, Papa Charlie’s, 9 p.m.
• Frequency Rising, Grandma Ray’s, 9 p.m.

Sunday, June 25:

• Pushing Chain, Skyport Lodge, 5 p.m.
• Mark Joseph and American Soul, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Monday, June 26:

• Open Mic Night, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Mark Joseph and American Soul, Gun Flint Tavern, 7:30 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, June 27:

• Teague Alexy, Gun Flint Tavern, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 28:

• Open Mic Night, Gunflint Tavern, 5 p.m.
• Date Night with Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Pete Kavanaugh, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

 

We found some great photos this week. Here’s a selection.

Let’s start with wildlife.

 

Here are some photographs of inland lakes.

 

And here’s a fun photo of blooming lilacs.

Lake Superior always looms large.

 

 

 

 

And finally, our favorite of the week:

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Oh, by the way, if you’d like to make a donation to NorthShore ArtScene, you can do it by clicking on the button below. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Solstice is right around the corner, and that means there’s lots to do in Grand Marais this weekend. Everything from North House Folk School‘s Wooden Boat Show, the Summer Solstice Puppet Pageant, art shows, music and more are scheduled for this first high point of summer on the North Shore.

First up is the Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Pageant at North House Folk School  featuring lots of beautiful wooden boats on display, speakers, workshops, demonstrations, a community dance,  the Lake Superior Chowder Experience, music, the Boats-to-Tools Silent Auction, a Pop-Up Craft Gallery, just to name a few.

The Boat Show kicks off on Friday, Highlights include the Harborside Barbecue from 5-7 p.m., the Boat Parade from 6-7 p.m. and a Community Contra Dance with Northern Aire from 8-10 p.m. The Community Music Circle, from 8-9 p.m. is a sea chanty and lumberjack jam.

Saturday is packed full of activities including craft demonstrations, mini-courses, speakers, the Lake Superior Chowder Experience (at noon), the Boat t0 Tools Silent Auction and a Pop-up Craft Gallery. (North House is still taking submissions for the craft gallery. Email Carolyn Fritz with questions at cfritz@northhouse.org.)

Saturday concludes with the Summer Solstice Pageant, put on by the Good Harbor Hill Players.

This month, community members have been developing the plot, rehearsing the music and crafting puppets and backdrops for this wonderful performance of pageantry, laughter and awe. We don’t know what the storyline is, but we do have a few hints. The title of this year’s pageant is “To Bee or Not to Bee?”

If you’d like to help out, turn up for the rehearsal at North House on Thursday at noon. Everyone always welcome. The Pageant is held outdoors in The Common at 8 p.m.

On Sunday, the annual Members Gathering will be held at noon. Authors  Mark Neuzil & Norman Sims (“The Canoe: A Natural History in North America”) will give a presentation followed by the launching of the canoe that was built on campus in six days.

Also this weekend, Axtell with Cook County graduate Katrina Axtell and Argentine soloist Julian Hernandez will perform at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30  p.m. Friday.

The duo will be celebrating the release of their sophomore EP “Traveler” as well as the start of a 16-state US tour. Their performance includes vocals, guitar, ukulele, kickdrum, (and the ocasional surprise instrument), and stands out by an energetic and engaging stage presence, memorable melodies, and striking harmonies. The event is by donation. All invited.

On Saturday, the Cook County Market, featuring a great selection of arts and crafts, including artisan bread, runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Senior Center.

At 1 p.m., the Art Colony hosts “Saturdays in the Studio” featuring an opportunity to learn about the artistic process and the history of various media which observing an artist at work. The demonstrations rotate between clay, glass, painting and printmaking. Open to all. Free.

Then at 4 p.m, Last Chance Gallery will host its weekly “Bronze Pour at 4.” Open to the public.

On Tuesday, the Grand Marais Art Colony will host an Artist Talk at the Johnson Heritage Post at 4:30 p.m. entitled “Before and After: A Landscape.”

Artists Regan Golden and Jeremy Lundquist will share their experience as the 2010 Harvard Forest Artists-in-Residence, as well as how the residency came about. Lundquist will also highlight his new work and exhibition at Highpoint Center for Printmaking funded in part by a Jerome Fellowship. The Artist Talks are open to the public.

Next Thursday, The Minnesota State Arts Board will be in Grand Marais to present its programs to the public as well as offer individual appointments for artists.  On Thursday night, program officer Natalie Kennedy will talk about the process of applying to Arts Board grant programs at 4:30 p.m. at North House Folk School. Topics will include programs for artists for health and human service organizations, schools, local units of government, community organizations, arts organizations, and informal groups. The public is invited.

Individual 30-minute appointments can be arranged by contacting Kennedy at (651) 215-1617 or (800) 866-2787, or email her at natalie.kennedy@arts.state.mn.us.  Kennedy will also be holding sessions in Duluth and Two Harbors next week.

Exhibits

This is the last weekend to see the Frozen Photographers exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post. The exhibit features photographs by more than 30 local and regional artists. The Heritage Post is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Summer Art Underground Show continues at Betsy Bowen’s Galleries and Studio with works from local and regional artists. The gallery studio is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Duluth, the “A Thousand Words” photography show continues, featuring a wide selection of photographs of people.

In Thunder Bay, the Definitely Superior Art Gallery is exhibiting three shows, the Lakehead University Retrograduate Exhibition, “Night Brats,” works by the Die Active Art Collective and “Contemporary 14.”

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery will open a new exhibit, “The Perspective from Here” on June 22 with the opening reception set for 7:30 p.m. (EDT) on June 23.

 Upcoming

On July 8, the North Shore Music Association will present Dom Flemons, the Grammy winning co-founder of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. He will perform in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts and present two all-ages educational workshops at the Grand Marais Public Library: a history of American folk music talk & demo, and a “rhythm bones” workshop. Stay tuned.

 The Cross River Heritage Center and Schroeder Area Historical Society is sponsoring “Quilting with Leftovers” with master quilter Coralyn Koschinska on Saturday, July 15 from 9:30 am to 3:30 p.m..  Call Suzan at 663-7706)to sign up for the class. The class is limited to 10 participants.

The Stars of the North Music Festival will be held in Harbor Park July 28-30. The music festival is a fundraiser for building a music lesson program for area youth, The festival is sponsored by the Grand Marais Music Collaborative, a 501c3 not for profit organization that focuses on the local music scene, education, and performance. All proceeds raised after concert expenses will go toward building a music lesson program for area youth, and the majority of the proceeds will be raised by selling raffle tickets and from donations. Stay tuned for details. For more info, see www.grandmaraismusic.com

Window Shopping

 

 

 

 

In Other Art News:

Keith Jentoft just completed this sculpture of a bear on a big piece of granite at his cabin on Hungry Jack Lake.

Here’s the music for the week:

Thursday, June 15:

• Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, Lutsen Resort, 6 p.m.
• Axtell, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7 p.m.
• Jerry Vandiver and Amberly Rosen, Grandma Ray’s, 7 p.m.

Friday, June 16:

• Joe Paulik, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Jerry Vandiver and Amberly Rosen, Grandma Ray’s, 7 p.m.
• Axtell, Traveller EP Release Show, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
• Rich Mattson & the Northstars, Gun Flint Tavern, 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 17:

• Jerry VanDiver, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Maais, 7 p.m., reservations at michaelmonroemusic.com
• Brothers in Arms, Grandma Ray’s, 9 p.m.
• Shaky Ground,  Gun Flint Tavern, 9 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 18:

• Circuit Breakers, Skyport Lodge, 5 p.m.
• Jerry Vandiver, Gunflint Lodge, 7:30 p.m.
• Jason Wussow, Gun Flint Tavern, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, June 19:

• Boyd Blomberg, Bluefin Grille, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, June 21:

• Briand Morrison, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• John Silliman, Gunflint Lodge, 9 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

 

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

First, two wildlife shots.

 

And a spring flower.

Beautiful clouds:

 

Strawberry Moon rising–

An incredible storm shot–

And last, but least, an incredible moose shot.

Have a great weekend, everyone! And if you’d like to donate to this weekly endeavor, now’s the time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer has arrived. We can always tell when we see the those maroon sails of North House Folk School‘s schooner, the Hjordis, as it plies the waters around Grand Marais. And, of course, Lake Superior talks beautiful colors of blue.

This weekend is a celebration of all these things, with lots of activities and events.

First up is the second session of Arrowhead Sketchers, a group of artists who get together every Thursday to draw (and paint and sketch) the world around them. This week, the sketchers will meet at 4640 Cascade Beach Road for lots of opportunities to sketch rocks, water, trees, architecture. Artist Kathy Weinberg is hosting. All invited at 5 p.m.

This weekend will be a busy one at the Grand Marais Art Colony as it hosts “Findings: A Jewelry Symposium,” featuring a wide variety of classes, demonstrations, artist talks and a catered panel lunch discussion.

Michael Boyd, a nationally renowned jewelry designer, metalsmith, and lapidary artist, is the keynote speaker as well as an instructor for the event.

Boyd will give an Artist Talk at the Johnson Heritage Post at 5:30 p.m. Friday, where he will talk about the evolution of his work as well as the major influences that have given him artistic direction.  Other Artist Talks scheduled over the weekend include Casey Sheppard, jewelry artist, mountain biker and freelance writer, who will speak at the Heritage Post at 5:30  p.m. Thursday. On Saturday, jewelry artists Jennifer Merchant and Vincent Pontillo-Verrastro will speak at 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. respectively at the Heritage Post.  Tuition for each Artist Talk is $10. The three artists will participate in a panel discussion at a lunch at the Cook County Community Center at noon on Saturday. And on Saturday evening, there will be a group Trunk Show from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Grand Marais Art Colony.  For more information, to register for classes and the lunch, click here.

There are lots of other art opportunities this weekend, too.

Authors Sarah Stonich  (“Shelter”) and  Mark Neuzil (“Canoes”) will be on WTIP’s The Roadhouse to talk about their books, and Pyrrha, the musical group that will play during the screening of the silent movie, The Fall of the House of Usher” at the ACA on Saturday, will be on the show, too. (See below for more info.)

Then, at 8 p.m., local writer and poet Levi Axtell will perform at Drury Lane Books‘ Full Moon Reading and Open Mic.

Each full moon, Drury Lane Books invites the public to gather around the fire and hear local writers read their work or the work of others. If you have a story or poem to share, bring it. Axtell will also will also facilitate an open mic with his reading. All invited to enjoy the spoken word and the moon rising over the lake on Friday night.

Saturday kicks off with the Cook County Market, which is held in the Senior Center parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each week. The market features a wide variety of arts and crafts as well as artisan breads and more.

Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery in Lutsen is hosting an event on Saturday, too. Entitled “Celebrating Anishinaabe Women,” the event features author Colleen Baldrica of the Pembina Band of Ojibwa, who will share some stories and talk about her book, “Tree Spirited Women.” Baldrica will also lead a drum circle, weather permitting.

The gallery will also feature artist Susan Zimmerman of the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwe, who will be introducing her new collection of handmade, gourd drums. The event will be held from 1-3 p.m.

Then, at 4 p.m., Last Chance Gallery of Lutsen will hold a bronze pour, an exciting event to watch at any time. Open to the public. Free.

On Saturday night, plan on attending Pyrrha at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. The Minneapolis-based string ensemble will perform their original score to the Jean Epstein’s 1928 silent film, “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

Based on Edgar Allen Poe‘s Gothic horror story, the film seethes with dreamy visual experimentation and surreal imagery. A psychological tale of confusion between reality and pictures, the 90-year-old cinematic gem resonates with campy melodrama perfect for the age of social media. The trio PYRRHA equally experienced in rock clubs and art galleries as classical concert halls, combine musical genres ranging from folk tunes to experimental sound for their lush score, bringing this silent film alive for contemporary audiences. The performance will be held at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Ticket information is available from northshoremusicassociation.com ,   Check out this preview here.

For more great music, Papa Charlie’s Songwriter Series on Monday at 8 p.m. will feature The Sea The Sea, an Upstate New York-based indie folk-pop duo-band featuring what Huffington Post calls, “Two of the loveliest male-female voices you might ever hear this or any other year.”

The duo has won accolades and awards around the country. Here’s a video to see what they do.

There are some great exhibits to see this weekend, too.

The Spring Art Underground Show at the Betsy Bowen Galleries and Studio continues this month, with a wide variety of artwork from local and regional artists.

The Johnson Heritage Post is featuring an exhibit by the Frozen Photographers, “Be There or Be Square.” The exhibit continues through June 17.

Tettegouche State Park continues its exhibit of the work of Adam Frankiewicz.

In Duluth, a fascinating exhibit has opened at the Great Lakes Aquarium entitled “Black Gold,” which interprets the important history and threatened existence of sturgeon through the work of multiple artists.

Sturgeon have been on Earth for more than 100 million years, but have become endangered due to over-harvesting and diminishing natural habitat. The exhibit is entitled “Black Gold” because of the high price of their caviar. The exhibit at the aquarium continues through Sept. 4.

The Tweed Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Minnesota-Duluth, continues its exhibition “A Thousand Words,” which features images of people in their environments.

In Thunder Bay, the exhibit LU RetroGraduate Exhibition continues at the Definitely Superior Art Gallery through June 17.

At the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, the St. Patrick High School artists are featured.

 Upcoming

 Next weekend is one of the highlights of the summer season as North House Folk School presents the Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival June 16-18.

The event features rows of hand-made and unique watercraft, a boat parade, craft demonstrations, an evening square dance, the boat and tool auction, speakers, a pop-up craft show and, of course, the Summer Solstice Pageant presented by the Harbor Hill Players.

There are lots of classes featured next weekend, too, as well as music, food and more. For all the event details, click here. Stay tuned for details next week.

Window Shopping

 

 

 

In Other Art News

Marty Harris is opening a show at Hopkins Center for the Arts on July 14.

 

Scott Lloyd Anderson will hold an Open Studio day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 10 at his studio, 3856 Blaisdell Ave. in Minneapolis.

Bob DeArmond, executive director of the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is retiring this month, after 30 years working to develop and promote the arts community in the Arrowhead. A Good-Bye Party will be held in the August Fitger Room in Fitger’s Complex at 5:30 p.m. June 15. All invited.

The new executive director of ARAC has been named: Drew Digby will begin at ARAC on July 11. Currently Bigby is an economic and strategy analyst for the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board.

Digby has been the regional analyst for the Department of Employment and Economic Development and was an instructor of Journalism, History, and Advocacy and Political Leadership at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. He ran a pop-up art gallery in Duluth called Studio 3 that had a successful run, including the WTF! Feminist Art Show that included works from more than 80 artists. He has also run a consulting business that helps artists with career and business strategies.

And finally, another look at the 4North exhibit currently at Norway House in the Twin Cities.

Here’s the music for the week:

Thursday, June 8:

• Joe Paulik, Beach Bonfire, Lutsen Resort, 6 p.m.
• Ian Alexy, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Friday, June 9:

• Billy Johnson, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Flyodian Slip, Gun Flint Trail, 8 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 10:

• Bug Dope, Cascade Lodge Pup, 7 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Jim & Michelle Miller, Voyageur, 7 p.m.
• Pyrrha, “The Fall of the House of Usher,” Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.
• Flyodian Slip, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 11:

• Jim & Michelle Miller, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, June 12

• Open Mic Night, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• The Sea The Sea, Monday Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8:30 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Wednesday, June 14:

• Open Mic Night, Gun Flint Tavern, 5 p.m.
• Date Night with Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

 

Here are some of the photographs we found this week. Let’s start with wildlife.

 

 

And then we have some beautiful landscapes.

 

 

 

 

 

And last, but not least, this one:

Have a good weekend, everyone!

P.S. I hope you enjoy getting this blog every week. It takes a lot of time and effort, but, truth be told, I really enjoy doing it. On the other hand, donations would be good. If you’d like to donate to NorthShore ArtScene to “keep it on the air,” click on the button below. And thanks!.

 

Balmy weather and blue skies this week arrived as the summer season officially began. There’s plenty to do on the North Shore this weekend, too. Here’s a selection.

First up is a pop-up concert on Artist’s Point with singer/songwriter Jeremy Messersmith in support of his newest record, “11 Obscenely Optimistic Songs for Ukelele.” Messersmith will hold the pop-up concert at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own instruments and join in the music.

Following the pop-up event, a ticketed concert will be held at Voyageur Brewing Company at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and are available for purchase here.

Messersmith’s new record, “Obscenely Optimistic Songs For Ukulele: A Micro-Folk Record For The 21st Century And Beyond”  is a new songbook and album jam-packed with ridiculous songs about kittens, world peace, flying cars and the transformative power of love. Why? “Because we all need a ray of sunshine every now and again,” Messersmith says. “Because it’s important to not lose sight of how good things could be. Because the first step to a better world is to imagine a better world.”

The Plucked Up String Band will be featured on WDSE’s The Playlist on Thursday night at 9 p.m. They’ll play a few songs and talk about their music. The episode will also feature leather crafting and fine art. To see a preview:

Also on Thursday, the Duluth Playhouse opens “Time Stands Still” on the Mainstage at the Depot in Duluth. In this gripping, often funny, drama, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies explores the intricacies of love, friendship, and the wounds of war.

The play continues through June 11 with performances at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at the door.

On Friday, artist and aquatic entomologist, Adam Frankiewicz, opens a show in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park. The show will feature his drawings of a wide variety of aquatic insects.

Frankiewicz grew up in Spooner, Wis., and, he writes, “ss a child I was always fascinated with nature and the strange animals that live in it. Through drawing I was able to create my own animal, creature or monster and thus began my art and science career. In 2012 I received my bachelors degree in Biology with a field of study in Aquatic Entomology as well as an Art major.  Two months after graduating, I got my current job at the EPA lab in Duluth as an aquatic invertebrate taxonomist.  My goal in life is to become a scientific illustrator and use art to educate people about the small, unique and amazing organisms that live in our waterways and the importance they have to our ecosystem.” This fascinating exhibit continues through June at Tettegouche.

Also on Friday, singer/songwriter Michael Monroe will be a guest on WTIP’s The Roadhouse. Monroe will talk about his music and play a few songs. The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m.

There’s lots happening on Saturday, too.

First up is the Cook County Market, which is held in the Senior Center parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The market, which opened for the season last week, features several new vendors, including the Northwoods Fiber Guild and potter Hannah Palma Laky.

At 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Grand Marais Public Library will present “Hiking Without A Canoe: A Photographic Journey of the Appalachian Trail” featuring Jill Aubin, who just completed hiking the Appalachian Trail.  Aubin will be sharing photographic images in a slide show while she relates what it takes to hike 2,189 miles of wilderness and what you can discover about the land and yourself on the journey. Free and open to all.

Last Chance Gallery in Lutsen will hold a bronze Pour at Four at 4 p.m. on Saturday, a weekly event at the art studio during the summer season. The gallery is also welcoming a new bronze sculptor to the studio. Greg Mueller,  an accomplished sculptor who was an assistant to renowned sculptor Paul Grandlund and has been an art professor for the past few years, will host the Pour at Four events this summer.

The event is free — and exciting!

North House Folk School is hosting the Northern Landscapes Festival this weekend, drawing in bird lovers and nature lovers from all over the region to learn and explore. They also open their doors for free featured presentations over the weekend.

On Friday, June 2, learn about the Common Loons of Minnesota at a presentation at 7 p.m. Non-game biologist Kevin Woizeschke will discuss the lives and habitat of the loons as well as findings of the latest research and challenges that face this iconic bird of the North. Free. All invited.

On Saturday night, join three of Minnesota’s leading climate scientists, MPR’s chief meteorologist, Paul Huttner  Dr. Jay Austin of the Large Lakes Observatory and Dr. Lee Froelich of the U of MN Center for Forest Ecology for a wide-ranging presentation on the latest climate science in Minnesota, climate changes on Lake Superior and the Great Lakes and climate change impacts on the forests of northern Minnesota.

After a short presentation from each scientist, an in-depth round-table discussion with a question-and-answer session from the audience will follow. The event starts at 7 p.m. All invited. Free.
Also on Saturday, North House will host a free family program: Bird Banding at Sweethearts Bluff on Saturday morning from 7 -10 a.m. Here’s a link to find out more.

And not to forget, the summer solstice is just around the corner and it’s time to help make puppets for the Good Harbor Hills Players’ Summer Solstice Pageant, which will be held at 8 p.m. June 17 at North House Folk School. Free Puppet-making workshops, which are open to all age groups, will be held at the Betsy Bowen Galleries and Studio from 6-8 p.m. Thursdays,  10 a.m. to noon and 2-4 p.m. on Saturdays and  1-4 p.m. on Sundays.

Everyone is always welcome to lend a hand. For more info, call Betsy at 218-370-8077, or email betsy@woodcut.com

And for aspiring actors, the Grand Marais Playhouse is holding a number of classes for various age groups taught by guest director Carrie Nath. Everything from comedy improv, basic clowning and slapstick comedy will to taught. For more info and to sign up, click here.

Exhibits

The Frozen Photographer’s exhibit, “Be There or Be Square” continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through June. 17.

The Heritage Post closed on Tuesdays. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and Monday, and from 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

The Spring Art Underground Show at Betsy Bowen’s Galleries and Studio opened last weekend and continues through the month, featuring a great selection of works by local and regional artists.

The studio is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

The Tweed Museum of Art on the campus of the University of Minnesota-Duluth has opened a new photography exhibit entitled “A Thousand Words.”

Coincidentally, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in Thunder Bay, has opened a photography exhibit as well this month. “Every Picture Tells a Story “ is a student photo project from Ecole Gron Morgan, funded by the Ministry of Education.  The project uses photography as a vehicle for students to express academic learning and to explore emotion.

The exhibit continues through June 18 with the opening reception set for June 7 at 6:30 p.m. (EDT)

Upcoming:

 Kah Nee Tah Gallery in Lutsen will host “Celebrating Anishinaabe Women in the Arts” at the gallery from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, June 10.

At the event,  author Colleen Baldrica of the Pembina Band of Ojibwa will share some stories and talk about her book “Tree Spirited Women.”  Baldrica will also lead a drum circle, weather permitting. The gallery will also be featuring artist Susan Zimmerman of the Grand Portage Band of Ojibwa, who will be introducing her new collection of handmade, gourd drums. Stay tunes for details.

The North Shore Music Association will screen the silent movie classic,  “The Fall of the House of Usher” with a live score by the group, Pyrrha at 7:30 p.m. June 10 at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.

Tickets for the event can be purchased at tix.com or at the door.

Window Shopping

 

In Other Art News:

The 4North exhibit, which opened at the Duluth Art Institute earlier this year, is now being shown at Norway House in Minneaplis. The artists exhibiting in the show include Alison Aune, above, Kirsten Aune, Ann Klefstad, and Arna Rennan. The show continues at Norway House through July 16.

Hard work pays off!

And here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, June 1:

• Jeremy Messersmith, Voyageur Brewing Co., 7 p.m.
• Jon Miller, Gun Flint Tavern, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, June 2:

• Timmy Haus, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Jeremy Messersmith, Papa Charlie’s Deck, 6 p.m.
• Jim and Michelle Miller, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Pete K, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7 p.m.
• The Cruisers, Grandma Ray’s, 8:30 p.m.
• The Thirsty River, Gun Flint Tavern, 9 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 3:

• Why Worry,  Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Campfire Music, Bluefin Bay, 7 p.m.
• Jim & Michelle Miller, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Pete Kavanaugh, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7 p.m.
• The Thirsty River, Gun Flint Tavern, 9 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 4:

• TBA, Gunflint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, June 5:

• Open Mic Night, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Wednesday, June 6:

• Open Mic Night, Gun Flint Tavern, 5 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

 

We found more wonderful photographs this week. Take a look:

First, we have some wildlife shots…

 

 

 

 

Then some spring flowers …

 

And running water …

And night skies …

 

A day sky and the Big Lake …

A sunset …

A path in the woods …

And last, but not least, this …

Have a great weekend, everyone!!!

FYI As you can imagine, this blog takes quite a bit of work every week. It’s a labor of love, for sure. If you would like to support this effort, please consider making a donation. Thank You.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Look forward to some wonderful craziness this weekend as galleries and shops celebrate Art Along the Lake with exhibits, gallery tours, demonstrations, music, art activities and more all weekend long.

The natural world is celebrating, too, with waterfalls at their spectacular best and trees opening to new life in greens, not to mention early wildflowers and young foxes and robins exploring new worlds.

Art Along the Lake features special events at the Cross River Heritage Center in Schroeder, which opens for the season on Friday, Last Chance Gallery and Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery in Lutsen, the Grand Marais Art Colony, Betsy Bowen Galleries & Studio, Sivertson Gallery, Ron’s World Rocks and Joy & Co in Grand Marais.

The weekend kicks off with the opening of the Cross River Heritage Center for the season at 10 a.m. on Friday. The exhibits this year include “Boomtown: Taconite Harbor”and “Vintage Needlework and Fiber Arts.” There will be lots of great demos this weekend. On Friday, artisans will demonstrate basketry, knitting, hand quilting, wood carving, and Ukraine egg carving throughout the day. The demos continue at the Heritage Center on Saturday and feature everything from Norwegian sewing to hardanger embroidery. For the full schedule and times of the demos, click here.

In Lutsen, Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery will hold a number of demonstrations over the weekend.

Of special interest this weekend: Maggie Anderson will give a raku demonstration at the gallery from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Also on Saturday, there will be Bronze Pour at 4 at Last Chance Gallery. For more info and schedules, click here.

In Grand Marais, the Spring Art Underground Show Sneak Peek  at Betsy Bowen Galleries and Studio will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday night. The show features woodcuts by Betsy Bowen, Lake Superior gem stone jewelry by Stephan Hoglund, custom tiles by Melissa Wickwire, woodenware by Jim Sannerud, plus select local pottery, original paintings, rosemaling and lots more. The show continues through June.

Tilemaker Melissa Wickwire will give demos on tile making from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Betsy Bowen will give a printmaking demo at her gallery studio from 1-3 p.m. Sunday. For more info, click here.

The Grand Marais Art Colony will host a Pop-Up Exhibit on Saturday and Sunday.

“Made at the Art Colony” features works by local and regional artists who work at the Art Colony and includes paintings, prints, glass and ceramics and multi-media work. The show is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Art Colony will also host a printmaking demo by Jerry Riach at 1 p.m. on Saturday and a Community Ink Day: Screenprinting from 2-4 p.m. For more info, click here.

And plein air painter David Gilsvik will give painting demos at Sivertson Gallery from 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

A new gallery, Ron’s World Rocks, Silver and Gems, holds its Grand Opening this weekend with studio demonstrations and a chance to visit with artist Ron Piercy on Friday and Saturday. Besides a great collection of handmade jewelry, the gallery also includes paintings by Matt Kania, bronze sculptures by John Books and prints by David Steckelberg, to name a few.

Joy & Co. hosts childen’s art activities on Friday and Saturday starting at 10 a.m.  All invited. Free.

Also on Friday, the Cook County Historical Society opens a new military history exhibit entitled “On the Line: A Military History of Cook County.” The exhibit explores the stories of how wartime changed the lives of Cook County service members and their families at home. An opening reception is set for Saturday. The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

This weekend also features a number of special music events.

On Friday, The Sound of Strings Duo, comprised of Michelle Gribbon on violin, and Christina Roytz Branham on cello, (both play with the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra) will present a program entitled “Music from the Heart” at the Grand Marais Public Library at noon on Thursday.

On Saturday, singer/songwriter Ben Weaver will perform at the Fireweed Bike Co-op at 6 p.m.

And, at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, the WolfGang Classical Quintet will perform at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 7:30. They will play the overtures to Mozart’s operas “Don Giovanni” and “The Magic Flute.”

And, not to forget, the Frozen Photographers exhibit, “Be There or Be Square” continues at the Johnson Heritage Post featuring work by 22 local and regional photographers.

In Duluth, the  opening reception for Ellen Sandbeck‘s papercut art will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday at the AICHO Galleries, 202 W. 2nd St.

The exhibit features a collection of her work, including “A Buddha a Day,” a series executed over the course of a year during which Sandbeck created 365 papercuts of Gautama Buddha. Proceeds from the sale of these works will benefit the charity of your choice.

The Call and Response Ceramics Exhibit continues at the Tweed Museum of Art.

In Thunder Bay, the Lakehead University RetroGraduate Exhibition continues through June 17, featuring work in a variety of mediums.

For Bob Dylan fans, the Duluth Dylan Festival continues in a variety of venues in Duluth through Sunday, including the Blood on the Tracks Express rolling train ride, featuring lots of music on the trip from Duluth to Two Harbors. For tickets and more event info, click here.

Upcoming

The Arrowhead Sketchers will begin their second season at the Grand Marais Recreation Park on Thursday, June 1, from 5- 7 p.m., followed by a brief “show and tell.”  The group meets weekly on Thursdays and welcomes anyone who likes to draw, sketch, plein aire paint or photograph, as well as those who want to just watch. For more info, call the Grand Marais Art Colony at 387-2737. You may also join MeetUp.com for weekly updates.

The Grand Marais Art Colony‘s “Findings Jewelry Symposium” is June 8-11 and promises to be quite an event.

The symposium features renowned jewelry artists who will demonstrate and teach about the intersection of contemporary and traditional jewelry-making techniques through classes, demos, artist talks and a jewelry trunk show. Register today while there’s space available. Learn more here:  And stay tuned for details.

The Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival  is June 16-18 at North House Folk School. It’s the biggest celebration of the year at North House and features lots of wooden boats, classes, the Summer Solstice Pageant, presentations and more.  It’s a  fun, family-oriented educational event and open to all. For more info, click here.

Also, North House is seeking submissions for the Pop-Up Craft Gallery which will be held during the Wooden Boat Show.

Bring a craft item you made and display it at the pop-up Craft Gallery on Saturday, June 17. Contact cfritz@northhouse.org with questions.

Window Shopping

 

 

 In Other Art News:

 Carrin Rosetti and Richard Gruchalla were awarded  First Place in Ceramics at the Old Capital Art Fair in Springfield, Ill. last weekend.

Here’s the music schedule for the week:

Thursday, May 25:

• Timmy Haus, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Friday, May 26:

• Pushing Chain, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.
• Pete K Group, Gun Flint Tavern, 9 p.m.

Saturday, May 27:

• Matt Trost & Laurel Clark, Voyageur Brewing Co., noon
• Jim McGowan, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Ben Weaver, Fireweed Bike Co-op, 6 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• James Moors, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, 7 p.m., info, reservations at michaelmonroemusic.com
• The WolfGang, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 7:30 p.m.
• John Silliman, Gunflint Lodge, 8 p.m.
• Earth, Wind and Todd, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Pete K Group, Gun Flint Tavern, 9 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 28:

• Pushing Chain, Skyport Lodge, 5 p.m.
• Tony Peterson and Jill Zimmerman, Gun Flint Tavern, 9 p.m.

Whew! We found a lot of photos this week. Let’s start with wildlife.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we found lots of photos of waterfalls …

 

 

 

And all this water is flowing into our gorgeous Lake Superior.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

P.S. As you can imagine, this blog takes quite a bit of work every week. It’s a labor of love, for sure. If you would like to help support this effort, consider making a donation today. Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The official start of the summer season is only a weekend away, and everybody is gearing up for it. There are lots of events, openings, demonstrations and celebrations next weekend, so stay tuned.

Meanwhile, there’s plenty to do along the North Shore.

First up is a performance by the popular acapella group, the SVEA Singers, at the Spring Choir Concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church tonight at 7 p.m. The singers include Erika Ternes, Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Erin Swenson Klatt and Yvonne Mills.

The SVEA Singers will perform a few songs during the choir concert. Ternes is the music director of the group as well as the music director of the school choir. The concert is free. All invited.

On Friday, the Johnson Heritage Post opens a highly anticipated exhibit by the Frozen Photographers with a reception from 5-7 p.m. More than 40 local and regional photographers have submitted work for the show, which is entitled “Be There or Be Square.” The photographers are required to submit at least one photo that is square, with a 1:1 ratio.

Frozen Photographers was formed as a closed Facebook group a few years ago with the caveat that member photographers must demonstrate, through their photos, that they got cold (and/or frozen fingers) while shooting. The Facebook page currently has 2,177 members, some from as far away as Siberia. And yes, the exhibit will undoubtedly have lots of snow and ice shots, but there will be all kinds of other great photos of the North Shore as well.

The exhibit continues through June 18. Refreshments will be served at the opening reception. All invited.

Also on Friday, it’s music night on WTIP’s The Roadhouse, which airs from 5-7 p.m. The show kicks of with a set by guitarists Sam Miltich (Clearwater Hot Club) and Briand Morrison.  Both musicians play jazz guitar. The Pete K Group plays the second half of the show, featuring lots of blues. The musicians will also talk about their music  during the show as well.  Miltich and Morrison play at Voyageur’s Brewing Co. on Friday, starting at 4 p.m. The Pete K Group plays Grandma Ray’s on Friday and Saturday nights.

On Saturday, Drury Lane Books hosts the Aboreal Writer’s Salon featuring Josh MacIvor-Andersen, author and editor of “Rooted: The Best New Arboreal Nonfiction” as well as winners of the bookstore’s Aboreal Writer’s Contest.

“Rooted” is a collection almost seven years in the making, MacIvor-Andersen says.

“I really wanted to anthologize contemporary essays that both manifested the incredible dexterity of the genre–the acrobatic, muscular nature of nonfiction–and illuminated the tree, a multi-specied organism that has been more than prominent in my life,” he writes. “I figured there’s not a person alive who doesn’t have some connection, some story, some relationship to a tree. I really wanted to create a home for those stories. A kind of arboreal love letter.”

The writing contest winners will also read their pieces. The winners include Kate Fitzgerald, 1st, for “Sisters”; Judy Budreau, 2nd, for “Writer’s Block.” Honorable Mentions include Maggie Jones for “Mabel’s Understand of Loss” and Rachel Andrus for “Taking Root.”  A discussion about writing, editing and trees will follow the readings. All invited.

On Wednesday at 4:30 , look forward to an energetic Artist Talk about Solarplate Printing by artist Dan Welden at the Grand Marais Art Colony.

Welden is a master printmaker, painter, educator, and author. His work has been shown in more than 80 international solo exhibitions in museums and galleries and in more than 700 group exhibitions in the U.S., Europe, China, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and Peru. The originator of the technique called, Solarplate, Welden will talk about his innovative work at the forefront of the alternative health and safety-oriented movement of printmaking. The Artist Talk is open to the public. Free.

There are some great on-going exhibits on the North Shore, too.

Watercolorist Tim Pearson has an exhibit in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park that continues through this month.

In Thunder Bay, the Definitely Superior Art Gallery will hold an opening reception for “Retrograduate Exhibition 2017″ featuring work by graduates of Lakehead University. The exhibit features paintings, drawings, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture.

The opening reception is rom 7-10 p.m. EDT and runs through June 17. All invited.

At the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, painter Bob Boyer is the Permanent Collection Spotlight artist this month.

At the Tweed Museum of Art, the installation of a new exhibit, “Sinew: Female Native Artists of the Twin Cities” is on-going.

The exhibit opens with a reception from 6-8 p.m. June 1.

Upcoming

Memorial Weekend Art Along the Lake, a county wide celebration over the Memorial Day weekend is full of all kinds of art activities, events, two art show openings and a lot more.

There’s a bronze pour at Last Chance Gallery in Lutsen, a Pop-Up Made At the Art Colony exhibit at the Grand Marais Art Colony, the opening of the Spring Underground Art Show at Betsy Bowen’s Galleries and Studio, demonstrations and a lot more. The Cross River Heritage Center in Schroeder opens for the season with lots of demonstrations over the weekend as does the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center on the Gunflint Trail.  For the complete schedule, click here, and stay tuned for lots of details next week.

The North Shore Music Association makes history with this one when they host the first-ever live music + silent film event: “The Fall of the House of Usher,” Jean Epstein’s 1928 silent film masterpiece, with an original musical score performed live by the group Pyrrha. Based on Edgar Allen Poe’s Gothic horror story, the film seethes with dreamy visual experimentation and surreal imagery. The music will be fabulous as well. Check out Pyrrha’s work playing for old-time silent movies here.

The performance is June 10 at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Get tickets at www.tix.com and stay tuned for details.

Window Shopping

In Other Art News

 Photographer Nace Hagemann has work  at Kah Nee Tah Gallery in Lutsen, as well as at Joy and Co.

The Grand Marais Playhouse has almost firmed-up the casts for the Summer Theatre Festival.

The cast of “The Games Afoot” is Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, Jane Gellner, Jan Healy, Kevin Kager, Gary Latz, Aliya Marxen, Sam Seitsema and Diane Stoddard.
The Cast of “The Pajama Game” is Mark Abrahamson, Karen Blackburn, John Bragstad, Susan Bragstad, Kate Fitzgerald, Hilja Iverson, Thomas Stamps and Karina Roth. The Playhouse is still searching for one more guy to complete the cast. The Summer Theater Festival is July 20 through Aug. 13. Go to grandmaraisplayhouse.com to see schedule and buy tickets.

In other Playhouse news, visiting director and choreographer Carrie Nath is in town where she will direct “The Games Afoot” and choreograph “The Pajama Game.” Nath comes to Grand Marais from Louisville, where she most recently served as the executive director for The Kentucky Center Governor’s School for the Arts.

While here, she will hold three workshops in June for children and adults and will return this fall to direct Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night” for the Playhouse and do residencies in the schools.

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, May 18:

Boyd Blomberg, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.

Friday, May 19:

• Briand Morrison with Sam Miltich, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Pete K Group, Grandma Ray’s, 8:30 p.m.
• Oak, Steel and Lightning, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 20:

• Pete K, Cascade Lodge Pub, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Pete K Group, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Oak, Steel and Lightning, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 21:

• TBA, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.

 

Here is a potpourri of photos we found this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have a great weekend, everyone!

We hope you enjoyed this week’s issue of NorthShore ArtScene. It takes a lot of time and effort to put this blog together every week. If you’d like to help support NorthShore ArtScene, please consider making a donation.  Thank You!