North Shore Arts Scene

An inland lake by Kathi Polley.

Summer is in full swing this weekend, and here’s an heads-up — this is the last weekend to submit your biggest blueberry to the annual Gunflint Trail Biggest Blueberry Contest.

Sunday is the last day of the Gunflint Trail Biggest Blueberry Contest.

There are still plenty of blueberries on the Gunflint Trail, so you might be the lucky one to win the $100 first-place prize. Click here for more info about how to participate and where to bring your big blueberry.

Meanwhile, there’s lots of other things to do on the North Shore this weekend, too.

First up, North House Folk School will feature rug-hooking demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

North House Folk School will feature rug-hooking demonstrations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, with a hooking workshop scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m.

On Saturday, rug hooker Mary Logue will teach a workshop on how to hook a rug that looks like the rings of an agate. The class will be at 10 a.m. at North House. Cost is $20 per person, or $30 per adult/child pair. The demonstrations are free. To register for the Saturday class, call 387-9762.

Also on Thursday, the Local Food Market will be held from 4;30-6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Cook County Community Center. This week’s demonstration: “Eat It: Don’t Toss It, or how to get the most out of your vegetable dollar. The demo is at 5 p.m. Look for lots of fresh vegetables this week, including tomatoes and peppers, plus fresh flowers, artisan bread and more.

On Friday, the Rendezvous Days and Celebration Pow-Wow begins in Grand Portage at the National Monument and on the Grand Portage Band’s pow-wow grounds nearby. The annual three-day gathering is the community’s biggest and most grand celebration of the year, a time when Grand Portage comes alive and reflects on its rich heritage.

Re-enactors from across the country and Canada gather, camp and challenge each other to games and skills from our historic past. The Encampment Village is open to the public during the day.

Re-enactors gather at the Encampment Village on the grounds of the National Monument in Grand Portage for Rendezvous Days.

Visitors can expect a weekend packed with cultural events from the 1800s to 1900s, including traditional dancing and games, an 18th century music jam, a chance to try old-time crafts like blacksmithing and arts and crafts, as well as sample Native American cuisine.

The Celebration Pow Wow is something to see as well, featuring more than 300 dancers from the region, including Canada, as well as the Stonebridge Singers, among others.  Click here to see a clip of the Stonebridge Singers.

Grand Entry at the Celebration Pow Wow is at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Grand Entry, one of the most exciting times at a pow wow, is at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. All invited.

Also on Friday, join the Grand Marais Art Colony and artist Charles Matson Lume to celebrate the first Pop-up Exhibition at the Art Colony’s newly acquired Downtown  Campus at 21 W. Hwy 61. The opening reception is from 7-8 p.m.

Charles Matson Hume will have a Pop-Up Exhibition in the Art Colony’s newly acquired Downtown Campus building from 7-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9.

Lume will be creating “an installation of light and space,” so stop in and see firsthand how art can transform space through ordinary materials. Lume’s installations have been exhibited at institutions such as: the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, Ireland), Babel Kunst, in (Trondheim, Norway, and Hunter College, in New York City.. He has received fellowships from the Bush Foundation, Jerome Foundation, and the Minnesota State Arts Board. The title of the exhibit is “which mothers forth mud and mint (for Mark Doty),” and was inspired by a poem by Doty entitled “Source.” All welcome to come to the opening

Also on Friday, WTIP’s The Roadhouse welcomes a new band, Freelance Valet, to talk about their music and play a few songs. The band is playing in local venues this weekend. (See music schedule below.) The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m.

Saturday kicks off with the Cook County Market, which is held in the parking lot of the Cook County Senior Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Cook County Market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Senior Center Parking lot featuring work by a variety of local artists and artisans. Pictured are earrings by Jake Carr.

The Market features all local vendors selling a wide variety of art and crafts.

Also, the Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium is hitting the road from the North Shore to the end of the Gunflint Trail Aug. 10-17. This traveling event will coincide with the annual Perseid Meteor shower and a full moon, perfect for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing through a telescope. Th crew will set up a mobile GeoDome Theater for a digital space exploration experience as well as have telescopes on hand for outdoor viewing. They will be at Grand Portage State Park from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday, the Tettegouche Visitor Center on Monday, Aug. 12-13, Voyageur Brewing Co. in Grand Marais on Wednesday, Aug. 14-15 and the Seagull Lake Community Center on the Gunflint Trail Aug. 16-17.

The Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium Geodome will be on the North Shore Aug.10-17.

All events are free, with daily programming that will run from 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m, except where noted. Planetarium shows will be offered on the half hour. In the event of cloudy skies, programming will be limited to the planetarium.

The Grand Marais Summer Theater comes to a close this weekend with two performances of “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline,” featuring Diane Blanchette as Patsy and live music by local musicians.

Performances of “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” will be held at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

The performances are at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Tickets are available at the door.

It’s a really busy weekend in Duluth, too.

The 31st annual Bayfront Blues Festival is this weekend in Duluth through Sunday. To find out more, click here.

And on Sunday, the Festival of Sail, featuring Tall Ships of yesteryear sailing into Duluth, begins. It’s a big event and draws huge crowds. Two years ago, 250,000 people crowded into town to see the beauties.

S/V Denis Sullivan is one of the Tall Ships that will arrive in Duluth on Sunday for the Festival of Sail.

There are lots of opportunities to do everything from visiting the ships to sailing on one. To find out more, see www.lakesuperiortallships .

Also this weekend, Brighton Beach will be the location of the 6th annual Lake Superior Art Festival, featuring a variety of work by local and regional artists.

Nikki Johnson is one of the artists will be showing their work at the Lake Superior Art Festival in Duluth on Saturday.

The festival will be from 9 am. to 4 p.m.  All invited.

And on Wednesday, potter Linda Christianson will give be demonstrating making pots in the ceramic studio at the Grand Marais Art Colony. The presentation, entitled “Making Pots, A Hopeful and Troublesome Effort” will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Hear how Christianson has sustained her interest and inspiration over the years, and watch her demonstrate her techniques. Christianson is one of the founders of the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour.

Potter Linda Christianson will give a presentation and demonstration in the Ceramics Studio at the Grand Marais Art Colonyat 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The event  is free, but due to limited space, pre-registration is requested. Goodwill donations are welcomed. Call 387-2737 to register.

Exhibits:

 Plein air painter Douglas Ross has opened an exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post. Entitled “Lake Superior Circle Tour,” the exhibit features paintings of the landscapes from states bordering the Big Lake.

“Twin Birch” by Douglas Ross is one of the paintings on exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post.

The Heritage Post is 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.

A new exhibit has opened at Tettegouche State Park as well, featuring the work of Kyle Voigtlander.

“Fairy Wren” by Kyle Voigtlander is one of the pieces in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.

Voigtlander makes sketches of birds and then paints and draws in them in whimsical ways. It’s a fun show and will be up through August.

The Tweed Museum of Art is exhibiting recent a series of recent acquisitions.

This painting by David Axel Ericson, entitled “Childhood Pastimes” is a recent acquisition by the Tweed Museum of Art.

And, this is the last weekend to see two exhibits at the the Duluth Art Institute, Allen Killian-Moore’s multi-media show, “I Am What’s Wrong With the World,” and “Strata,” featuring a number of local and regional artists. The exhibits close on Sunday, Aug. 11.

This piece by Allen Killian-Moore is on exhibit at the Duluth Art Institute through Sunday.

 Gallery News:

 The Big Lake is featuring new paintings by Anna Hess.

“Nesting Loon” by Anna Hess.

Yellow Bird Fine Art has just received raku totems by John R. Kevern.

“Three Greeting Tongues” by John R. Kevern, one of the new raku totems at Yellow Bird Fine Art.

 Upcoming:

 The Grand Marais Art Colony will hold Book Arts Weekend, featuring a wide variety of classes, workshops and tours Aug. 16-18. Click here for more info.

Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, Aug. 8:

• Charlie Roth, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & the Wildcats, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Gun Flit Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Eagle Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 9:

• Eric Frost, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Bughouse, Grandma Ray’s, 8:30 p.m.
• Freelance Valet, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 10:

• SonofMel, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 11:

• Briand Morrison, Moguls Grille &Tap Room, 10 a.m.
• Bluegrass Sunday: The Spruce Roots, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.

 Monday, Aug. 12:

• Timmy Haus, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• Ben Kyle, Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 23;

• Joe Paulik, Campfire Music, Bluefin Resort, 7 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

 Wednesday, Aug. 14:

• Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille, 5 p.m.
• J Squared & the Makers, Papa Charlie’s, 6 p.m.
• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

We found lots of photos this week. Here’s a sampling:

First, insects!

Dragonfly by Jim Christianson.

A close-up by Travis Novitsky.

Bee! by Maryl Skinner.

And a flower:

Lilies by Don Davison.

A “tree-scape.”

The root system of a 2-month-old tree by Amy Heline.

A summer campfire:

Summer by Abby Tofte.

Wildlife:

Who’s been eating my blueberries? by Gene Lafond.

A family portrait by Kevin Jacobson.

 Skyscapes and landscapes:

Milky Way from Two Island Lake by Donald Jay Olson.

Grand Marais Light by Paul Sundberg.

Birch Lake in Babbitt by Eric Hoheisel.

Breathe. Duluth, Minnesota by John Heino.

This morning’s sunrise by Roxanne Distad.

The sky was dancing by David Johnson.

A Gooseberryscape:

Gooseberry at sunset by Joe Polechek.

Stormscapes:

Storm’s a’ comin’ by Sara Jorgenson.

A little lightning over Grand Marais by Bryan Hansel.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

“Exploring the shore near Hovland.” Photo by Layne Kennedy.

 Grand Marais is the place to be this weekend if you want to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Fisherman’s Picnic. The event, which has changed a lot over the years, still draws in relatives, classmates and friends from all over the country to celebrate their Cook County roots. It’s also a great time for family fun, competitions, lots of live music, fish burgers, contests and more.

The Fisherman’s Picnic Parade is at 1 p.m. on Sunday. It’s the best parade of the year. Check it out in downtown Grand Marais on Sunday.

There are an extraordinary number of events during the 4-day festival, Thursday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 4. Everything from the Cutest Puppy Contest and a Loon Calling Contest, the Big Fish Contest and a professional Log Rolling Tournament, to name a few, will happen this weekend. And there are softball and tennis tournaments this weekend, as well as a Trail Run on Pincushion Mountain. There’s lots of live music on the Harbor Park stage as well as in the festival tent at Voyageur Brewery. And not to forget, the famous fish burgers, served up by the Lions’ Club, which sponsors and organizes the event as a fundraiser for their projects.

On Saturday night, there are fireworks displays after dark, and the Fisherman’s Picnic Parade is on Sunday at 1 p.m., followed by bagpipers playing on the stage in Harbor Park. For the complete schedule of all the activities, click here. A detailed schedule has also been produced by Northern Wilds, and copies can be found at VisitCookCounty and other venues in town.

And, because there are lots of visitors this weekend, local organizations will serve up a great selection of things to do, too.

The Cook County Market, featuring a number of local artists and crafters will be open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during Fisherman’s Picnic.

The Cook County Market is open for four days during Fish Pic: Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in a new location. It will be held on Wisconsin Street across from the World’s Best Donuts.

It’s in a different location: on Wisconsin Street across from the World’s Best Donuts. (A good placement to get a tasty snack!) All welcome.

North House Folk School has scheduled a variety of activities, including birchbark weaving demos by Beth Homa Kraus Thursday through Sunday. She will also teach a mini-workshop on Saturday. North House will also hold mini-workshops including Try It: Baking  and Try It: Timber Framing. And the good ship The Hjordis is making regular trips on Lake Superior.  Call North House at 387-9762 for more info and to register.

Dan Helmerson will give a presentation at the Johnson Heritage Post on Thursday at 4 p.m. entitled “Memories of Growing Up and Vacationing in Cook County.”

Dan Helmserson will give a talk about growing up in Cook County at the Johnson Heritage Post at 4 p.m. Thursday.

It should be a fun and interesting presentation. He’s bound to show lots of fascinating photos from the past and tell great stories about them. Free. Open to all.

The Local Food Market, featuring locally grown vegetables, artisan breads, fresh flowers and more will be held at the Cook County Community Center’s parking lot from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday.

The Thursday Local Food Market is a popular place to stop on Thursday afternoons from 4:30-6 p.m.

And on Thursday and Friday, check out the Fisherman’s Picnic Raku Firing, which will be held at the Maker’s Market site at 6 North Broadway.

The Fisherman’s Picnic Raku Firing will be held Thursday and Friday nights at the Maker’s Market space on North Broadway.

Each participant will receive a professionally made piece of pottery to decorate. Once the piece is decorated, it will be fired in a raku kiln, and be ready to take home. Firings will at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Thursday and 5:30 and 7 p.m. Friday. Sessions are limited to 10 people. For more info, to register and get tickets, click here.

Also on Thursday night, the Grand Marais Playhouse Summer Theater Festival continues with the staging of “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” featuring Diane Blanchette and Braidy Powers. The musical, which is performed at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts continues with performances on Saturday, Aug. 3, and Aug. 10 & 11. Tickets are available at the door.

On Friday and Saturday, the Bally Blacksmith Shop will be open and demonstrations will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The shop is a project of the Cook County Historical Society and is located near the Co-Op parking lot in downtown Grand Marais.

On Friday evening, the Johnson Heritage Post will host an opening reception for a new exhibit, “Circle Tour Art” by Douglas Ross. The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m.

This painting by Douglas Ross, one of the works featured in an upcoming show at the Johnson Heritage Post.

The exhibit features a great selection of the paintings he did while on a circle tour of Lake Superior. The exhibit continues through August. The Heritage Post is 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.

Also on Friday, the musical, “The Marvelous Wunderettes: Dream On” will be staged at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts, one of the musicals featured the Grand Marais Playhouse‘s Summer Theater Festival.

The Marvelous Wunderettes features KarenBlackburn, Tina Hegg Raway, Karina Roth and Diane Stoddard.

There are only two performances left is this fun show: Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Not to be missed.

Also on Friday, Tettegouche State Park will host an opening reception for Kyle Voigtlander, who will be exhibiting his work through August.

One of Kyle Voigtlander’s intricate works which will be featured at Tettegouche State Park this month.

The opening reception is at 7 p.m. From 6-7 p.m., there will be a coloring activity for all ages in the Great Hall at Tettegouche. All welcome. Free.

On Saturday, Lissa Grover will teach mini-workshops on making glass coasters in the glass studio at the Grand Marais Art Colony. The workshops will be from  9-11 a.m and from 1-3 p.m. The coasters will be fired and ready for pick-up the next day. For info and to register, call the Art Colony at 387-2737.

Also on Saturday, Sugarloaf Cove is offering a creative writing workshop with author Kendra Atleework at 10 a.m.. Entitled “Creative Writing: Setting, Place and Landscape,”  the workshop will consider how authors conjure place as character and how we can evoke setting as more than an arbitrary backdrop and create a landscape that deepens character and  propels plot.

Sugarloaf Cove will host a creative writing workshop on Saturday.

This workshop will take place outdoors, weather permitting. Light refreshments will be provided. Free, but registration is required. Click here to learn more.

 And author Joan Crosby will sign her book, “The Tucker Lake Chronicles” at the Lake Superior Trading Post from 1-3 p.m. Saturday.

And last, but not least, nationally acclaimed mystery writer, Sara Paretsky, will be at Writer’s Salon at Drury Lane Books at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Sara Paretsky will be at Drury Lane Books for a Writer’s Salon at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Paretsky will read from her new V. I. Warshawski mystery, “Shell Game,” take questions from the audience, and sign books. Open to all.

Sunday: The Fisherman’s Picnic Parade: 1 p.m., downtown Grand Marais.

On Monday, Grand Marais’ own author, Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, will tell stories about Brave Girls & Wise Women at the Grand Marais Public Library at 1 p.m.

Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux will tell stories about brave girls and wise women at the Grand Marais Public Library at 1 p.m. Monday.

Hear how Tatterhood battles a band of trolls, Manka solves impossible riddles, and Vasalisa dares to knock at the witch’s door. Daring heroines reclaim fairytales as fierce, funny, and feminine. Program length is 60 minutes, intended for youth ages 7-12, but appropriate and enjoyable for teens, mixed age audiences and adults. Stories will likely be too long for kids younger than 6.  Free.

Upcoming:

A Weekend of Book Arts will be held at the Grand Marais Art Colony Aug. 16-18.

The Grand Marais Art Colony will host a Weekend of Book Arts Aug. 16-18 featuring mini-classes, a studio tour as well as full-day classes on everything from bookbinding to book making. For more info on the offerings, click here.

And the concert, Gunflint Woods, Winds, Strings, and a Little Jazz, will be held Aug. 18 this year featuring a variety of classical and jazz music. This popular event features a number of local and regional musicians and is held at the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department Hall #1 near Poplar Lake.

Gunflint Woods, Winds, Strings … and a Little Jazz. will be held Aug. 18 at the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department Hall #1.

It is a benefit for the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department. For tickets: pbcoleman529@gmail.com . Stay tuned for details.

Gallery News:

Art of the Elements gallery announced it has received the very latest limited edition series of etchings by Hazel Belvo called “Old Trees.”

The Art of the Elements gallery has received new etchings by Hazel Belvo.

Liz Sivertson has new work at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais.

“Spotified” by Liz Sivertson is at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais.

 For a wide variety of artist opportunities and grants, check out the Arrowhead Regional Art Council’s website by clicking on the image below.

 Music: 

 Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, Aug. 1:

• Tom Knutson, Cook County Market, 11 a.m.

Fisherman’s Picnic Harbor Stage:

• Pete Kavanaugh, Harbor Park Stage, 11 a.m.
• Rox ‘n Soul, Harbor Park Stage, 1-2:30 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Harbor Park Stage, 3 p.m.
• 4 Shore, Harbor Park Stage, 7 p.m.

Other Venues:

• Jim Miller, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 2:

• Gene LaFond & Amy Grillo, Cook County Market, 11 a.m.

Fisherman’s Picnic Harbor Stage

• Briand Morrison, Harbor Park Stage, 11 a.m.
• Michael Monroe, Harbor Park Stage, 1 p.m.
• Spruce Roots, Harbor Park Stage, 3 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Harbor Park Stage, 7 p.m.

Other Venues:

• Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7 p.m.
• Kutdown, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Drew Peterson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Paul Huttner & Jackpine Savages, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 3:

Fisherman’s Picnic Harbor Stage

• Joe Paulik, Harbor Park Stage, 11 a.m.
• Michael Monroe,Harbor Park Stage. 1 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms,Harbor Park Stage,  3 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Harbor Park Stage, 7 p.m.

Other Venues:

• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, Cook County Market, 11 a.m.
• North Shore Community Swing Band, Voyageur Brewing Tent, 11:30 a.m.
• One Less Guest, Voyageur Brewing Tent, 2 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Birch Terrace, 3 p.m.
• Billy Johnson, Grandma Ray’s, 5 p.m.
• Rox’n Soul, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Voyageur Brewing Tent, 6:30 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Paul Huttner & Jackpine Savages, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
• Kutdown, Grandma Ray’s, 9 p.m.
• Saturday Late Night Music, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 4:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.

Fisherman’s Picnic Harbor Stage:

• Gillis & Stamps & Youth Collaboration, Harbor Stage, noon
• Bagpipers, Harbor Park Stage, 2:45 p.m.

Other Venues:

• Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 5:

• Billy Johnson, Voyageur Brewing, 5 p.m.
• The Sea, the Sea, Monday Night Songwriter’s Series. Papa Charlie’s, 8:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 6:

• Rox ‘n Soul, Cook County Senior Center, 12:30 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 7:

• Timmy Haus, Mogul’s Grille, 5 p.m.
• Patio Series, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Photographs:

Summer on the North Shore is always spectacular. Here are some photos we found this week;

First, wildlife:

A doe brings her twins in for a drink at our pond by Donald Jay Olson.

Fluffy baby loon waits for its parents to return from fishing. Photo by Paul Pluskwik.

A damp little spruce grouse by David Johnson.

I love surprises like this when I’m camera-ready by Roxanne Distad.

Wildlife and a sailboat…

Around Grand Marais by Layne Kennedy.

Here are a few images from the flower kingdom:

Waterlily reflections by Roxanne Distad.

Fall is coming–the fireweed is blooming by Don Davison.

“It’s lily day!” by Kristofer Bowman.

And we found some gorgeous landscapes and skyscapes:

“Home,” by John Broman.

“Camping” by Heidi Sobanja.

The Big Lake and the Hjordis on a perfect day by Abby Tofte.

Grand Portage by Gary Arands.

“Really strange light at sunset the other day” by Bryan Hansel.

Devil’s Kettle by Amy Hanauer.

“One from tonight at Stoney Point” by Jesse Nord.

And finally, this special moment:

Summer rainbow over Grand Marais by Paul Sundberg.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

(Whew! Lots happening this week! If you’d like to help support this volunteer effort, make a donation today. Just click on the icon below. And Thank You!)

It was a beautiful morning and a beautiful day by Roxanne Distad.

Lots going on this weekend and next — summer is truly here, with all kinds of celebrations. This weekend, look for a music festival, new outdoor art to enjoy, workshops and artist talks. And next week, the 90th annual Fisherman’s Picnic begins …

Here’s what you can look forward to this weekend:

North House Folk School continues its artisan/demo series, with Julie Kean, who will be demonstrating weaving with birchbark from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

On Saturday, Kean will hold a mini-class at North House on how to weave a birchbark star ornament.

Julie Kean will be demonstrating how to weave birchbark at North House Folk School from Thursday through Sunday. She will teach a mini-class on weaving a birchbark star ornament on Saturday morning at 10 a.m.

The class will start at 10 a.m. Call North House at 387-9762 to register and for more information.

Also at North House, a wood-fired baking mini-class will be held on Thursday with two sessions: 1-3 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. Call 387-9762 to register.

Also on Thursday, the Local Food Market will be held at the Cook County Community Center’s parking lot from 4:30-6 p.m. featuring lots of locally grown vegetables and flowers, baked goods, handcrafted mustards and more.

The Local Food Market will be held at the Cook County Community Center from 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday.

This week, there will be a demonstration on how to make waxed pouches to store vegetables instead of using plastic. All invited.

Theater:

The Summer Theater Festival continues at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts with performances Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday. This year, the Grand Marais Playhouse is presenting two musicals; “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” and “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On.”

A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday night and 2 p.m. Sunday.

“The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On” by Roger Dean will be performed on Thursday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.

The musicals are presented in repertory with “The Marvelous Wonderettes” performing at 7 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, “A Closer Walk with Patsy Kline” at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at the door. The Theater festival continues through Aug. 11.

On Friday through Sunday, the Stars of the North Music Festival will be held at the Wunderbar on Friday night (because of the possibility of rain) and Harbor Park in downtown Grand Marais on Saturday and Sunday. The festival will feature a variety of musicians who are members of the Grand Marais Music Collaborative. The outdoor music festival features local and regional musicians playing in support of the Grand Marais Music Collaborative’s youth music lesson program.

The Stars of the North Music Festival will be held this weekend. 

The festival will also feature food trucks and a beverage vendor. See the Music Schedule below for more information.

Also on Friday from 1-2:30 p.m., a Paint-A-Tile class will be held in the ceramics studio of the Grand Marais Art Colony. Participants will explore the colorful world of Majolica glazes and paint two tiles with their own designs.. The tiles will be fired and ready for pick-up on Sunday morning. Call 387-0762 to register.

On Friday evening, musicians Gene LaFond and Amy Grillo will be on WTIP’s The Roadhouse to talk about their music and play a few songs. The program will also feature an interview with photographer Layne Kennedy who will talk about the creative process. The show airs from 5-7 p.m.

Also on Friday night, the Grand Marais Art Colony, in collaboration with Cook County Higher Education, will host an Artist Talk and Author Reading: Art and Cultural Exchange.

An Artist Talk will be held at Cook County Higher Education at 7 p.m. Friday.

The presentation features Shannon Brunette, founder and arts management consultant through the Office of Cultural Work, and author Kathryn Savage, who will read from a manuscript in process. The event will be held at Cook County Higher Education at 7 p.m. Free, but freewill donations are accepted.

In Duluth on Friday, the monthly Downtown Duluth Arts Walk will be held featuring a great selection of art openings, live music, studio tours and more, all held within walking distance in the downtown area.

The Downtown Duluth Arts Walk is on Friday.

Of special interest, a new exhibit at the Prøve Gallery, 21 N. Lake Ave. The exhibit, entitled “You Don’t Know Me,” features work by 12 local artists including Sarah M. Brokke, Shannon Cousino, Emanuel Eisele, Carla Hamilton, Alyssa Johnson, Laura LaValle, Jennifer Marcson, Em Nuckols, Megan Sprenger, Adam Swanson, and Molly VanAlst.

“Only visible at night” by Sarah M. Brokke, is one of the works on exhibit at the Prøve Gallery in downtown Duluth.

The opening reception at the Prøve is from 7-10 p.m. The exhibit continues through August. For more information about all the events on Friday during the Arts Walk, click here.

On Saturday, look for the Cook County Market in the parking lot of the Cook County Senior Center starting at 9 a.m. The market, which features a wide variety of work by local artists and artisans, continues through 1 p.m.

At noon, the Grand Marais Garden Club will hold its annual Flower Show at the Cook County Community Center. This year’s theme is “Veggies and Flowers.”

The Grand Marais Garden Club’s annual Flower Show will from noon to 5 p.m. at the Cook County Community Center. This year’s theme: Veggies & Flowers. (Stock photo)

The exhibit is open to the community. Anyone interested in submitting an arrangement is invited to bring it to the Community Center at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. The event also features a plant sale and a garden tool sale as well as lots of fabulous arrangements and home-baked treats. All invited. Free.

And, at 2 p.m. Saturday, artist Tara Austin will give an artist talk at the Johnson Heritage Post, where she is currently exhibiting her work.

Artwork by Tara Austin. She is exhibiting her work at the Johnson Heritage Post through Sunday.

Austin’s exhibit is entitled: “Boreal Ornament II.” She will walk around her exhibit and talk about her style and technique as well as her inspiration. This is the final weekend to see this phenomenal show. The Heritage Post is 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.

And Wednesday, July 31, the 90th annual Fisherman’s Picnic begins in downtown Grand Marais and continues through Sunday.

This will be the 90th year that Fisherman’s Picnic has been celebrated in Grand Marais. The competitions have changed a little, (see above) but they all add a special flavor to this summer festival. Photo courtesy of the Cook County Historical Society.

The event features lots of visitors, Crazy Days sales, a craft show, lots of contests and prizes, live music, kids’ activities, fireworks on Saturday night and a parade on Sunday. Stay tuned for details. To see the schedule of all the activities, click here.

Ongoing:

The Biggest Blueberry Contest continues on the Gunflint Trail. For all the details, click here.

Outdoor Art in Grand Marais:

There are three new outdoor art projects that have sprung up in the last week or so. All are worth a look.

First, the Felted Forest, an installation developed by felter Marlys Johnson and friends in collaboration with North House Folk School, ISD 166 and the Grand Marais Art Colony. The project, which features wonderful, whimsical felted creatures, flowers, birds and insects,  have been installed in the woods at the Sawtooth Elementary School’s Nature Trail on 5th Street. The paths have been cleared, felters have been creating for a few months, and in the past two weeks, the Felted Forest has been established, thanks to a grant from the Great Place Project.

The Felted Forest can be seen on the Sawtooth Elementary Nature Trail in the woods.

One of the felted animals that can be found in the Felted Forest.

There will be a Grand Opening celebration on Aug. 28 in conjunction with the Open House at ISD166 to meet the artists, create some felt for the forest and enjoy it, although it is open now for people to enjoy. Stay tuned for more.

Another art project was installed this week: “Imagine,” the community paint-by-numbers mural that was developed and installed by Mila Horak, art teacher at ISD 166. The mural, which is installed on the alley wall at Birchbark Books & Gifts, joins a number of other community paint-by-number murals that Horak designed and the community painted.

“Imagine,” the latest community paint-by-number mural has been installed on a wall at Birchbark Books & Gifts. 

Check it out. It’s quite beautiful, as are the other murals.

And last, but not least, take a look at the festive garden shed at the new Community Garden at the Cook County Community Center. The shed used to be the warming house for the hockey rink but was moved to the garden when the new warming shed was built. Thanks to a grant from the Great Place Project, it was possible to bring together a great selection of local talent to fix up and paint the building. It is striped with rainbow colors with a mural of garden vegetables on one side, and a fancy sunflower door.

The new garden shed for the Community Center’s Community Garden.

The garden mural was designed and drawn by Jan Attridge. Painters included Attridge, Carolyn Severaid, Emily Ulhorn. Emma Bradley, Elaine Erickson, Joan Farnam, and Sally Berg. Cook County extension agent, Diane Booth, painted the rainbow stripes on the building itself while volunteers at the Community Garden worked on restoring the building before it was painted. It can be seen from the softball field behind the Community Center.

And, for lots of artist opportunities, check out the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council’s web page… ARAC offers a variety of grants and learning opportunities for artists. Click on the image below to find out more.

  Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, July 25:

• Terry V’s Patio Party, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne,North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Paul Imholte, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, July 26:

Stars of the North Music Festival, Wunderbar

• Jourdan Victoria, 2 p.m.
• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, 3 p.m.
• Vessel, 4:15 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, 5:30 p.m.

Other venues:

• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• North Country Fair, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Blinded by Seagulls, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Southpaws, Grandma Rays, 8 p.m.
• Splimit, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 27:

Stars of the North Music Festival, Harbor Park

• Joe Paulik, 10:30 a.m.
• Michael Monroe, 11:45 a.m.
• Sky Blue Jazz, 1 p.m.
• Wunderdogs, 2:15 p.m.
• April Fools, 3:30 p.m.
• Common Ground, 5 p.m.

Other venues:

• Rox N Soul, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Mainline Daylight, Wunderbar, 6:30 p.m.
• John Russ, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• The April Fools, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Splimit, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• The Cruisers, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 28:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.

Stars of the North Music Festival, Harbor Park:

• Rockin’ Gospel Hour with Chris Gillis, Gordon Thorne & Friends, 10 a.m.
• The Stars of the North Collaborative Youth Jam, 11:30 a.m.

Other venues:

• Briand Morrison, Chik-Wauk Nature Center, 2 p.m.
• Black River Revue, BluegrassSunday, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Music by the Lake, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Open Stage with Pat Flack and Gary Croft, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Monday, July 29:

• Jim McGowan, Voyageur Brewing, 5 p.m.
• Mark Joseph & American Soul, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, July 30:

• Mark Joseph & American Soul, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Campfire Music, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, July 31:

• Timmy Haus, Mogul’s Grille, 5 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Papa Charlie’s, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Photographs:

Summer is here, and we found some neat photographs of plants and flowers. Here’s a selection:

“Only with a leaf can I talk of the forest.” –Visa Zhiti. Photograph by Jan Swart.

Lily in the flower bed by Don Davison.

Pitcher plant in the bog by Sandra Updyke.

And then there are things that “destroy” flowers:

Caught in the act by Roberta Sorenson.

Storm on Lake Superior by Matthew Pastick.

Hail stones that crushed everything in Little Falls recently.

And we found some beauteous landscapes:

Photograph by Jesse Nord

Sunset on Basswood Lake by Paul Sundberg.

Low fog and Split Rock Lighthouse by Reece Hickman.

Waterfalls in summer by Matthew Pastick.

And finally, this beauty:

A summer moose in Cook County by Thomas Spence.

Enjoy the weekend, everyone!

(If you enjoyed reading NorthShore ArtScene this week, consider making a donation. It’s easy. Just click on the icon below. And thank you!)

An afternoon on the North Shore by Jan Swart.

This week we begin one of the highlights of the season: the Grand Marais Playhouse‘s Summer Theater Festival.  This year, for the first time, there are two musicals that will performed in repertory – “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” and “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On.” All performances are at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Thursdays through Fridays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

The Theater Festival opens with the first performance of “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 18 at the ACA. In all, the “A Closer Walk…” is scheduled for eight performances: July 18, 20, 26 & 28 and Aug. 1, 3, 10 & 11.

The musical, “A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline” opens at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 18. It is scheduled for 8 performances during the Summer Theatre Festival.

This is not a reprise of  “A Walk with Patsy Cline” that was performed a few years ago. There are new songs and a new storyline created by Dan Regan. The play stars Diane Blanchette as Patsy Cline and Braidy Powers as “Little Big Man.” Musicians in this live-music show include Mike DeBevec, Mike Roth, Thomas Stamps, Max Bichel and Russ Viton. Performances are July 18, 20, 26 and Aug. 1,3, 10, 11.

On Friday, July 19, the second musical of the festival, “The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On” by Roger Dean opens at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Performances are July 19, 21, 25 & 27, Aug. 2 & 4.

“The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On” by Roger Dean opens at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts on Friday, July 19.

Grand Marais’ Marvelous Wonderettes are, from left, Tina Hegg Raway, Karen Blackburn, Karina Roth and Diane Stoddard. Performances of the musical will be at the ACA July 19, 21, 25 and Aug. 2 & 4.

There’s lots of great music, singing and dancing in this play, which stars Karen Blackburn, Tina Hegg Raway, Karina Roth and Diane Stoddard.

For info on the Summer Theater Festival, click here. For tickets, click here.

There’s lots going on in the county this weekend as well.

North House Folk School continues its weekly demo series. This week, Jess Hirsch will demonstrate wood turning from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. He is also teaching a short workshop on Saturday morning. (See below for details.)

North House is also holding a workshop on baking in a wood-fired oven from 1-3 p.m. and from 4:30 -6 p.m. on Thursday. There’s limited room in this workshop, so register early.

To register for either the baking or the wood turning workshop, call 387-9752. To find out more, click here.

Also on Thursday, the Local Food Market will be held from 4:30 -6 p.m. in the parking lot at the Cook County Community Center.

The Local Food Market on Thursday  will feature vegetables and strawberries as well as baked goods and fresh eggs. Pictured are vegetables grown by Ian Andrus.

This week, look for fresh strawberries grown in Cook County, lots of fresh vegetables and fresh flowers, artisan wood-fired bread and more. Open to all.

Friday is the official start of the Gunflint Trail’s Biggest Blueberry Contest. The contest will run from Friday, July 19 to Sunday, Aug. 11. Blueberries will be measured by weight, and must be picked fresh and not store-bought. There will be three Grand Prizes for the 3 biggest blueberries by weight: $100 cash for the first place winner, $50 cash for the 2nd place winner and $25 cash for the 3rd place winner. 

The Gunflint Trail’s Biggest Blueberry Contest starts on Friday and runs through Aug. 11.

Weigh stations are located at resorts and venues along the Gunflint Trail. In addition to prizes for the biggest blueberries, all submissions will be entered to win randomly selected prize drawings at the end of each week.

Here’s a full list of 2019’s weigh stations : (Click for google map location) Trout Lake Resort , Hungry Jack Canoe Outfitters , Golden Eagle Lodge , Gunflint Lodge , Nor’Wester Lodge and Outfitters , Rockwood Lodge and Outfitters , Tuscarora Lodge and Canoe Outfitters , Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center , Bearskin Lodge and Wilderness Outfitters , Gunflint Pines Resort and Campground , Voyageur Canoe Outfitters , Seagull Outfitters and Cabins , Poplar Haus , Loon Lake Lodge , Way of the Wilderness . For more information about the contest, berry picking and more, click here.

Also on Friday night, “The Marvelous Wonderettes” debuts on the stage at the ACA at 7 p.m. Tickets available on-line or at the door. $25 adults, $15 ages 17-12. For tickets, click here. Performances will also be at 2 p.m. Sunday. See schedule for all the performances.

Saturday is a pretty busy day, too.

The Cook County Market, featuring work by a variety of local artists and artisans, will be held in the parking lot of the Cook County Senior Center.

Weaver Debbie Robinson has a variety of work at the Cook County Market every Saturday.

The market is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  And this Saturday, locally grown strawberries!

At 10 a.m. on Saturday,  Jess Hirsch will give a workshop at North House Folk School entitled “Natural Dyes on Wood”  Participants will learn how to color wood using natural dyes. Using turmeric, indigo, and native plants, they will experiment on wooden beads. Feel free to bring your own raw wood objects to dye as well. Children 8 years and older are welcome to come with an adult. There is a $10 materials fee. To register, call North House at 387-9762.

Jess Hirsch will teach a workshop on how to use natural dyes on wood at North House Folk School on Saturday. at 10 a.m. To register, call 387-9762

On Saturday afternoon, the West End Garden Club will hold its annual Flower Show at the Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte from 1-5 p.m.

The West End Garden Club’s annual show, entitled “Painted Garden” will be held at the Birch Grove Community Center in Tofte from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday.

The title of this year’s flower show is “Painted Garden.” The show features a wide selection of arrangement by club members.  Master gardeners from the local Cook County Extension Office will be on hand to share information and answer questions, as well as provide valuable resources. The event is free, and refreshments will be served. All welcome.

And at 4 p.m. on Saturday, author Ruth Allard will host a presentation on the release of her new book “Stories from Superior’s Northern Shore”  at the historic Chippewa City Church, 1 mile east of Grand Marais.

Ruth Allard will give a presentation on her new book on Saturday.

The book is full of great stories as well as historic photos from the Cook County Historical Society, FFor more information, call the Cook County Historical Society at 387-2883.

And not to forget, this is the weekend for the North Shore Water Festival, which will be held Saturday and Sunday on the harbor in Grand Marais.

The North Shore Water Festival is Saturday and Sunday. It is held on the harbor in Grand Marais.

The water festival will have experts on-hand offering fishing, touring kayak and canoe demonstrations, stand-up paddle board (SUP) demo activities in the harbor, including SUP yoga, plus new water and outdoor gear this year. Most activities are free to the public, and only require signing a waiver and/or registering in advance for SUP board yoga. All ages welcome.

Two Harbors celebrates summer this weekend, too, with the Chalk.a.Lot Festival at Thomas Owen Park on Saturday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.). This is a crazy, wonderful festival where artists and would-be artists of every age get down on their knees and paint sidewalk pads.

The Chalk.a.Lot Festival brings in lots of artists and would-be artists to paint a panel on the sidewalk in Two Harbors.

One of the chalk art paintings created last year at Chalk.a.Lot.

Musicians include John Cron, Gaelynn Lea and THUG. Food will also available. as well as activity booths, face painting and more. Participants can still register. For more information, click here. 

On Sunday, the International Yacht Race from Grand Marais to Thunder Bay will start just outside the Grand Marais Harbor at 11 a.m.  The yacht race is one of the oldest annual races on Lake Superior, although the course has been changed many times over the years. Check it out. The sailboats are fun to watch as they jockey for good positions at the start.

Exhibits:

Tara Austin’s painting exhibit, Boreal Ornaments II continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through July 28.

Tara Austin is exhibiting her work at the Johnson Heritage Post through July 28.

The exhibit includes a wide selection of her work, including rosemaling. The Heritage Post is 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. All welcome. Free.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art continues its exhibit “Asymmetry: Three-Dimensional Works from the Tweed Collection.

Charles Biederman has two pieces in the Asymmetry exhibit at the Tweed.

Four sculptures are featured in the exhibit in the John Steffl Gallery at the Duluth Art Institute: Susanna Gaunt, Russell Prather, Natalie Salminen Rude, Juliane Shibata.

“Bare efficiency, currency of greatest worth, Conquistadors know,” encaustic by Natalie Salminen Rude. Salminen Rude is one of the sculptors in the exhibit at the Duluth Art Institute entitled “Strata.”

 Martin DeWitt, the former director and curator at the Tweed, opened an exhibit with his nephew, Andrew Webster, at the Zeitgeist Arts Cafe in Duluth. The exhibit continues through this month.

Painting by Martin DeWitt. His work is on exhibit at the Zeitgeist Cafe in Duluth.

In Thunder Bay, the Baggage Building Arts Centre is exhibiting work by a number of local artists.

One of the paintings on exhibit at the Baggage Building Arts Centre in Thunder Bay.

And here is poster of the current exhibits at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery is showing a number of exhibits this summer.

Artist News: 

Plein air painter, Neil Sherman, received the Best of Show Award at the Grand Marais Arts Festival last weekend.

 Upcoming:

 Nationally recognized mystery author, Sara Paretsky, will be featured at Drury Lane Books Aug. 3, where she will read from her latest V. I. Warshawski mystery, “Shell Game.” She will also take questions from the audience and sign books. Stay tuned for details.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council offers artists in the Arrowhead a great selection of grant opportunities plus workshops and more. Click on the logo below to visit the website and learn more.

  Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, July 18:

• Terry V’s Patio Party, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Gene Lafond and Amy Grillo, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Billy Johnson, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.
• A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline, Arrowhead Arts Festival, 7 p.m.
• North Shore Swing Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, July 19:

• Christopher David Hanson Band, Wunderbar, noon
• Ian Alexy, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Gene Lafond and Amy Grillo, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p..
• Don Juan Trio, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 20:

• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Birch Terrace, 3 p.m.
• Bluegrass Sundays, The Spruce Roots, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Rob & Jill, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, 7 p..m., www.michaelmonroemusic.com
• Courtney Yasmineh, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline, ACA, 7 p.m.
• Billy Johnson, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Bob and the Beachcombers, Grand Portage Lodge, 8 p.m.
• Pat Ferguson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, July 21:

• Briand Morrison, Moguls Grille, 10 a.m.
• Briand Morrison, Gun Flint Tavern, 2 p.m.
• Pushing Chain, Music by the Lake, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik and Pat Flack, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Pat Ferguson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, July 22:

• Timmy Haus, Voyageur Brewing, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, July 23:

Campfire Music with Joe Paulik, Bluefin Bay, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, July 24

• Timmy Haus, Mogul’s Grille, 5 p.m.

Photographs:

 Since it’s summer, let’s lead off with flowers.

These purple Calla lilies have been blooming for seven weeks so far by Don Davison.

Simple beauty by John Heino.

And wildlife:

Loon family by Paul Sundberg.

And here’s a strange loon shot:

Apparently this loon raised a Mallard duckling, who likes to ride around on its back. Photo by Linda Grenzer. Taken at Baker Lake. 

Just a trout swimming around by Sandra Updike.

An incoming storm:

Harbor storm, July 15 by David Johnson.

After it passes:

Post-storm clouds over Devil Track Lake by Brianna Schueller.

And then a potpourri:

My ancient enemy–stairs by Jamey Penney Ritter.

It’s cooler on the shore by Kristofer Bowman.

Moment of Light by John Heino.

Foggy morning sunrise by Roxanne Distad.

Fog rolling into Grand Marais by Craig Johnson.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

(Consider making a donation to NorthShore ArtScene today if you appreciate this volunteer effort to bring you arts, entertainment and photographic news of the North Shore. Click on the button below to donate. And Thank You. )

“A little moose drool and a beautiful, healthy looking cow in the Superior National Forest”  by Thomas Spence.

We are in the heart of summer here on the North Shore, and a quick glance at the events schedule on visitcookcounty.com proves that well enough. There are 77 events listed between Thursday, July 11 and Sunday, July 14.

Granted, not all are arts and entertainment events, but getting a chance get outdoors and explore the Northwoods or paddle on an inland lake, all qualify as interesting things to do this weekend.

Here in Grand Marais, the fun starts at North House Folk School on Thursdaywith demos and mini-classes. Josh Tolkan will be demonstrating how to make a  paddle at North House from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.

Josh Tolkan will be demonstrating how to make a wooden paddle Thursday through Sunday at North House Folk School. He will also be teaching a mini-class.

Tolkan will also teach a mini course on making a paddle shaft on Saturday morning. To register for the class, call 387-5762. The demonstration on campus is free.

Also on Thursday at North House, children from ages 7-12 are invited to take a mini-course about tie dying using common compostable items like onion skins or beet greens. The students will make their dyes and then tie-dye a T-shirt to take home. Cost is $15. The class will be from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, July 11. To register, call 387-9752.

Also on Thursday, the Local Food Market will be held in the parking lot at the Cook County Community Center from 4:30-6 p.m.

The Local Food Market will feature locally grown strawberries at the Thursday Market.

The market will feature Brian Wilson’s strawberries, fresh vegetables and flowers, and artisan breads. There will also be a demonstration on how to make your own yogurt by Jeanne Wright at 5 p.m. All welcome.

On Friday, the Hopped Up Beer Festival at Caribou Highlands on Lutsen Mountains begins. This 3-day craft beer celebration includes a 4-course beer-paired dinner, a pig roast and live music with Timmy Haus and Big Wave Dave and the Ripples. The event takes place July 12-14. For more information and lodging inquiries visit hoppeduocaribou.com.

Also on Friday, North House will hold Try It: Timber Framing from 10 a.m. to noon where students will dismantle a timber frame and then put it back together. Class limited to 8. Free. Call North House at 387-2737 for more info.

Friday is also Try Days at Joy & Company from 4-7 p.m., where the public is invited to come in and make art from their great art supply selection. Free.

And, not to forget the annual (and delicious)  Planked Trout Dinner, a fundraiser for the Cook County Historical Society, which will be held on Friday night in the Grand Marais Rec Park starting at 5:30 p.m. For more info, call 387-2883.

Also on Friday, the Rich Lewis Band will be on WTIP’s The Roadhouse, to talk about his music and play a few tunes. The program airs from 5-7 p.m. WTIP is holding a membership drive this weekend, too, with lots of live music scheduled for the big tent outside. Check the music schedule below for who will be playing when.

Saturday will be busy.

The Cook County Market, which is held in the parking lot at the Cook County Senior Center, opens at 9 a.m. and runs through 1 p.m., featuring a wide variety of arts and crafts.

Jake Carr makes a variety of wooden items, including these earrings. He is one of the artisans at the Cook County Market, which runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays through mid-October.

The big news this weekend, though, is the Grand Marais Arts Festival, which will be held in downtown Grand Marais on Saturday and Sunday.

This year’s arts festival features 70 artist booths showcasing original artwork by local and regional artists. Work includes painting, prints, ceramics, fiber art, glass, metalwork, woodwork, photography, multi-media pieces and more.

The Grand Marais Arts Festival features a street of white tents filled with art  in downtown Grand Marais. (File photo by Don Davison.)

The booths are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. To see the artists who are participating in the festival, click here.

The 2-day arts festival also features hands-on art-making activities for every age as well as demonstrations and mini-classes. Sharon Giesfeldt-van Ruiswyk will teach a mini-class on making pop-up cards on Saturday morning and Andy Ness will teach a mini-class on making a small sculpture from aqua resin on Saturday afternoon. Check out the Art Colony tent for more info.

Also, the 2nd annual An Artful Evening,  an Art Colony fundraiser, will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday in Harbor Park featuring fine food and drink, an Artful Auction, live music and more. Author and comedian Lorna Landvik will be the featured guest speaker.

Author and comedian Lorna Landvik will be the featured guest speaker at An Artful Evening on Saturday in Harbor Park.

Landvik has recently-released her 12th novel,  Chronicles of a Radical Hag (With Recipes). Other books of hers include the best-selling Patty Jane’s House of Curl and Oh My Stars.  The Artful Auction features new work by a variety of artists. Get a preview of the artists who have donated piece to the auction here.

For tickets, click here. You can also purchase tickets by calling the Art Colony at 387-2737.

And not to forget the Clothesline Sale at the Arts Festival. This historic and popular fundraiser was started in 1947. It features 5” x 7” original works of art hung in the Art Colony festival booth.

Also on Saturday night, blues singer Kelley Hunt returns for another outstanding performance at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts.

Blues singer Kelley Hunt will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7:30 Saturday

The forward-thinking songwriter and pioneer in the blues, roots, and gospel traditions have earned her the respect of thousands of devoted fans across North America and Europe. With over 1,500 performances to her name, six guest appearances on A Prairie Home Companion, and consistent high praise from critics, Hunt is one of those rare independent artists who have forged their own paths to great success.

Check out this video of one of her songs.

Tickets are $20 adults, $10 youth and are available at the door. Or click here to purchase online.

In Duluth, well-known painter Earl Austin is liquidating his artwork in a sale at 8 E. College Street in Duluth. The sale will be from 4-7 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Painter Earl Austin is selling his artwork in Duluth this weekend.

Austin uses a variety of mediums. including acrylic paints, printing, pastels, collage, watercolor and spray paint.

Also, the Tweed Museum of Art is hosting “Intersections Family Day 2: Native Art” on Saturday from 1-3 p.m.

Untitled (Seahorse.FBB) by Frank Big Bear, prism color on paper, is one of the works in the Intersections exhibit at the Tweed Museum of Art.

At the event, Alison Aune and Wendy Savage will lead participants to create mukuk-style paper baskets inspired by George Morrison’s artwork and watercolors based on Carl Gawboy’s paintings. In addition, there will be a station to create Prisma Colors drawings inspired by Frank Big Bear.

The event is free and open to the public. There will be light refreshments in the Special Events gallery space.

On Sunday, the Grand Marais Arts Festival continues, with booths opening at 10 a.m. Artist Bonnie Cuts will hold three sessions of a mini-class,  offering the public an opportunity to create a mixed-media still life. Check out the Art Colony festival booth for details.

Things are pretty quiet in Cook County until Wednesday, when the annual Gunflint Trail Canoe Races will be held at Gunflint Lodge.

The Gunflint Trail Canoe Races will be held at Gunflint Lodge starting at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The races are open to the public with events for the advanced to novice paddler. Even if you don’t sign up for a race, watching the races is always fun. Free.

Exhibits:

Artist Tara Austin has opened an exhibit of her work at the Johnson Heritage Post. The exhibit, entitled “Boreal Ornament II,” features a wide variety of work including paintings, felting, rosemaling and more.

Painting by Tara Austin. The artist is exhibiting her work at the Johnson Heritage Post this month.

The Johnson Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and Mondays, and from 1-4 p.m. Sundays. All invited. Free.

Cameron Norman has a series of her fish prints, or gyotaku at Joy & Co.

This fish print or gyotaku by Cameron Norman is at Joy & Co. 

The process of creating the prints from fresh prints was developed in Japan in the mid-1800’s. ago.

Painter Adam Swanson has opened an exhibit of his paintings at the Pine Knot News office in Cloquet.

Painting by Adam Swanson. He is showing a selection of his work at the Pine Knot News office in Cloquet.

Swanson’s paintings include works on science, humanity, and nature.

The Baggage Building Arts Centre in Thunder Bay has opened an exhibit of photographs by 10 local photographers entitled “Through the Lens: A Northern Focus.”

One of the photographs in the exhibit at the Baggage Building Arts Centre in Thunder Bay.

The exhibit will continue through July.

 Artist News 

Wildlife and landscape photographer/videographer Thomas Spence has a series of clips of videos he took of Canada lynx included in the Animal Planet series: Nature’s Strangest Mysteries: Solved!

Canada lynx by Thomas Spence.

He writes:

“Late this past winter I was contacted by a Warner Brothers media company who were producing a new series for the Animal Planet channel titled Nature’s Strangest Mysteries: Solved! They were interested in some of my video footage of Canada lynx . The episode focuses on a viral video from Ontario of two lynx “screaming” at each other. In the episode titled Big Cat Screaming Match, some of my video clips are mixed in as the narrator and the experts dissect what is going on in the screaming video. They licensed about 5 minutes of video and used a few portions during the segment. The episode originally aired in June, but is being replayed on Friday, July 12 at 4 p.m. Look for it on your TV or online. A pretty exciting moment for me and my wildlife adventures.”

Thank you, Tom! Those of us who follow him on Facebook have really enjoyed the photos and videos he has posted of the Canada lynx in his neighborhood.

And finally, for artistic opportunities, check out the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council. The organization offers a variety of grants, workshops and more to artists in the Arrowhead Region. Click in the image below for more info.

 Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, July 11:

• Rhoda Anderson Habedank, Live, WTIP, 1 p.m.
• Drew Heinonen, Live, WTIP, 4 p.m.
• Terry V’s Patio Party, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Rhoda Anderson Habdank, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Eric Frost, Lutsen Resort, 6 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre/Americana Blues, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.

Friday, July 12:

• Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, Live, WTIP, 1 p.m.
• Rich Lewis Band, Live, WTIP, 5 p.m.
• Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Rich Lewis Band, Live, WTIP, 6 p.m.
• Rox ‘n’ Soul, Roxanne Berglund & Briand Morrison, Wunderba, 7 p.m.
• Rich Lewis Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Timmy Haus, Hopped Up Beer Festival, Caribou Highlands, 8 p.m.
• Brotherless Arms,  (Jim Miller & Drew Heinonen, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Saturday, July 13:

• Timmy Haus, Hopped Up Beer Festival, Caribou Highlands, 1 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Charlie Roth, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, 7 p.m., www.michaelmonroemusic.com
• Kelley Hunt,  Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7:30 p.m.
• Rich Lewis Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Big Wave Dave & The Ripples, Hopped Up Beer Festival, Caribou Highlands, 8 p.m.
• Brothers in Arms, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 14:

• Gordon Thorne on Gospel Truth, Live, WTIP, 8 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Rich Lewis Band, Gun Flint Tavern, noon
• Wayne Suchy, Bluegrass Sundays, North Shore Wintery, 3 p.m.
• Jacob Mahon & the Salty Dogs, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Gary Morris, Live, WTIP, 5 p.m.
• Open Stage with Pat Flack and Gary Croft, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Monday, July 15:

• Rox ‘n’ Soul, Briand Morrison & Roxann Berglund, Live, WTIP, 1 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, July 16:

• Joe Paulik, Campfire Music, Bluefin Bay, 7 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Photographs:

 Let’s start with flowers.

‘Daisies: you’re so simple yet so bold.” by Matthew Pastick.

And then a butterfly.

Ready to launch by Jim Finnegan.

Photographer Thomas Demma writes: I can’t say I’m a big fan of the light here, but it does give you a good view of wing size.”

Baby’s first feeding by Mark Ellis.

Turkey vulture landing by Paul Sundberg.

 Here’s a fascinating photo of the salmon run in Alaska.

A view of the magnificent salmon run in Alaska. Photo courtesy of Back to Nature.

Evidence of wildlife:

Pileated action by Heidi Sobanja.

Skyscapes:

Good night Crex Meadows (Wisconsin) by John Heino.

Smoky skies make for great colors:

Cutface sunrise by Paul Sundberg.

And then cool, cool water:

Foggy morning wave by Christian Dalbec.

And Lake Superior beauty:

Floating along in Lake Superior: Hollow Rock by Roxanne Distad.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Searching for thast orange lupine by David Johnson.

Celebrate the 4th in style this year and plan to go to Tofte for a full day of activities and celebrations. Then put the Hovland Arts Festival on your to-do map for the weekend as well as a note to yourself to visit all the great galleries and shops in Grand Marais. Oh, and not to forget a walk along the waterfront and a hike in the woods.

The 4th starts off with the annual Tofte Trek, which prides itself on the muddy conditions of its trails and the camaraderie of racers who participate from the entire region, including Canada. There are kids races, and a 10K Trail walk/run up the hill and along the Superior Hiking Trail, with lots of glorious mud on the way. (Note: In dry years, the organizers have been known to haul water up to the trails to make sure they were muddy.) The race starts and ends at Birch Grove Community School. Registration online or at 8 a.m. For more info about the race, click here.

Just down the road, the annual Tofte July 4th Celebration begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Tofte with live music, arts and crafts booths, fun events and food vendors. Cook County’s Most Wanted with Joshua Schmidt will play. At 2 p.m., the best 4th of July parade in Cook County is held. All participants are welcome. Just come early and line-up at the start.

In the evening, look for fireworks in Tofte, Grand Marais and Grand Portage starting around 10 p.m. There’s lots of live music in venues around the county as well.

Fireworks on tap in Tofte, Grand Marais and Grand Portage on July 4th, starting at dark. Photo by Bryan Hansel.

Friday is a busy day in the county, too.

The 14th annual Hovland Arts Festival is this weekend, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6 at the Hovland Town Hall.

The Hovland Arts Festival is from 10 a.m.to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday this year at the Hovland Town Hall in Hovland.

More than 30 vendors will be there this year and will exhibit everything from glass to photographs, painting to pottery as well as mixed-media pieces and fiber arts, to name a few of the categories that are represented in this popular festival. The festival also features home cooked food as well as a great selection of live music on both days of the festival. Roxann Berglund & Friends, Jim McGowan and Pushing Chain play on Friday, Joe Paulik, Briand Morrison and Rod & Caribou play on Saturday. The music starts at 10 a.m.

(Note: Jim McGowan will be on WTIP’s The Roadhouse on Friday night to talk about his music and play a few songs. The show airs from 5-7 p.m. He’ll be on about 6:15 p.m.)

There are two art openings in the area on Friday as well.

Tara Austin’s exhibit,  Boreal Ornaments II, opens at the Johnson Heritage Post with a reception from 5-7 p.m. on Friday night.

Painting by Tara Austin, one of the works that will be on exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post.

Austin is a local artist whose paintings are inspired by nordic traditions and natural patterns. She received her Master of Fine Art in Painting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a recently completed a rosemaling apprenticeship funded through the Wisconsin Arts Board. Her work is represented by Joseph Nease Gallery in Duluth. The exhibit continues through July 28.

The Johnson Heritage Post is 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.

And Kat Corrigan will open an exhibit of her paintings in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park on Friday with a reception from 7-8:30 p.m.

“Sky Submerged: Marsh Reflection Series” by Kat Corrigan.

Corrigan is an award-winning, Minneapolis-based artist whose work is widely collected around the world. She is committed to the concept of “A Painting A Day” and posts a daily blog of her work. She shows her work in area galleries and art fairs. The Tettegouche exhibit is a mix of whimsical deer portraits, wetland scenes and paintings of Lake Superior. To find out more about Corrigan and see her work, click here.

Saturday kicks off with the Cook County Market, which is held in the Cook County Senior Center parking lot.

The Market features a variety of work by local artists and artisans as well as live music and snacks. The Market runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

And, not to forget, the Hovland Arts Festival continues, opening at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

For those who want to just get outdoors and explore the woods and lakes in Cook County, the local outfitters offer opportunities to get on the water. Also, there are presentations on the natural world offered daily. To find out more, check out www.visitcookcounty/events/

Drury Lane Books will hold a Writer’s Salon with author Shannon Gibney at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

Author Shannon Gibney will read from her award-winning novel at Drury Lane Books on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Gibney will read from her new young adult novel,” Dream Country,” a Minnesota Book Award 2019 winner. Click here to listen to an interview with her about her book and writing by WTIP’s Lin Salisbury.

On Saturday night, there will be a Four Hands Piano Concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. The concert features Elisabeth Pion, a London, England-based pianist named one of Canada’s 2018 “ 30 under 30 “ musicians by the Canadian Broadcasting Co., and Ian Tomaz, University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate and Emerging Artist Resident at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance in Nova Scotia.

Ian Tomaz and Elizabeth Pion will present a Four-Hands Concert at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The pianists will present music for one piano, four hands by Franz Schubert and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

Upcoming:

The Grand Marais Arts Festival, featuring work by 70 local and regional artists, plus lots of fun hands-on activities, the Clothesline Sale, a food truck, An Artful Evening and more will be held in downtown Grand Marais Saturday, July 13 and Sunday, July 14.

The Grand Marais Arts Festival is next weekend, July 13-14.

This year’s festival should be even bigger than last year, with lots of activities for children and adults as well as mini-classes, demonstrations and more. Here’s a link to all the activities, as well as participating artists.

 Art News

The Grand Marais Art Colony announced a major expansion in downtown Grand Marais with its purchase of the former North Shore Pharmacy building.

The Grand Marais Art Colony announced on Thursday that it had purchased the former North Shore Pharmacy building in downtown Grand Marais.

The $500,000 development project will begin this summer and expand the nonprofit’s studio and public space by more than 5,000 square feet, according to Thursday’s announcement. The Art Colony currently occupies a former mission church, built in 1916, that serves as a multi-purpose studio, and the CC Graham Studio building, built in 2005, that has studios for glass, clay and printmaking. The Art Colony is located at 120 3rd Ave. W. in Grand Marais.

The expansion will involve the North Shore Pharmacy Building, formerly the Arrowhead Pharmacy, located at 21 W Hwy 61. “We have worked over the past decade to grow our programs, our infrastructure, and our staff,” said Ruth Pszwaro, artistic director of the Art Colony. “And we’ve found that our artistic community has responded with increased interest and engagement. This includes both our local community as well as non-local members who consider us their creative home, many who have been coming here annually for 30 or more years. We are now operating our current facility at 125 percent, and we look forward to having the opportunity to expand our mission in a physical way and increase access to the arts.”

Art Colony representatives talked about the new space the Art Colony recently purchased. Pictured, from left are Sally Berg, board president, Kathi Polley, development manager, Ruth Pszwaro, artistic director, and Lyla Brown. executive director.

The project, which involves private and public funding, will be carried out in several phases. Lyla Brown, the Art Colony’s executive director said: “Our intent is that the new GMAC facilities will open in the first half of 2020 and include new studios, exhibition space, a small but state-of-the-art gallery store, and a potential community gathering space.”

The Art Colony’s current buildings at 120 3rd Ave W, will remain classroom and studio space, although reconfigured. The administrative offices of the organization will also remain at the current location. To find out more click here.

The Art Colony will hold an open house for the public to see the new space during the Grand Marais Arts Festival, July 13 & 14.  Listen to this interview by Rhonda Silence from WTIP Community Radio, who recently interviewed the representatives about the new building.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council provides a wide variety of services and grants for artists who live in the Arrowhead. Click on the image below learn more.

 Music:

Here’s the music schedule for this week:

Thursday, July 4:

• Cook County’s Most Wanted with Joshua Schmidt, Tofte 4th of July Celebration, Tofe, noon
• Jim Miller, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Plucked Up String Band, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Space Monkey Mafia, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• KutDown, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Friday, July 5:

• Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland, Roxann Berglund & Friends, Jim McGowan, Pushing Chain, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dave Cofell, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• The Sprigs, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Space Monkey Mafia, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Don Juan Trio, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 6:

• Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland: Joe Paulik, Briand Morrison, Rod & Caribou, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Jim MGowan, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, rural Grand Marais, www.michaelmonroemusic.com, 7 p.m.
• The Gentleman’s Anti-Temperance League, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Joshua Schmidt, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Space Monkey Mafia, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Cook County’s Most Wanted, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 7:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Black River Revue, Bluegrass Sundays, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m.
• Spruce Roots, Music by the Lake, Skyport Lodge, 4 pm..
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik & Pat Flack, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.
• Drew Peterson, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, July 9:

• Joe Paulik, Campfire Music, Bluefin Bay, 7 p.m.
• Teague Alexy, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 10:

• Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille Patio, 5 p.m.
• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Photographs:

And now, for the photos …

First, some wildlife shots:

Northern Flying Squirrel babies by Paul Sundberg.

Loon family out on a calm morning by Matt Herberg.

Pileated woodpeckers– parent and youngster by Paul Sundberg.

This Calico Pennant Dragonfly appeared out of nowhere for a photo op by Roxanne Distad.

And some weather shots:

Sunrise in Fog City, Duluth by Ken Harmon.

Storm clouds by Norita Escuro.

A perfect rainbow sunset over Grand Marais by Bryan Hansel.

Good morning World by Jan Swart.

And a few beauteous Northwoods photos:

Love that this place is home by Jessica Markusen.

High Falls at Tettegouche State Park by Christian Dalbec. (drone photo.)

Hollow Rock by Roxanne Distad.

And this…not a photograph, but what summer in Cook County is all about.

“At the Cabin,” print, by Rick Allen, is at Sivertson Gallery.

Happy 4th of July everyone! Celebrate by making a donation to NorthShore ArtScene today! Click on the image below. And Thank You!

“Summer Scenes” by Thomas Spence.

There are a whole potpourri of events happening this weekend and into next week, as we prepare for the 4th of July.

First up is the launch of North House Folk School‘s mini courses that will be held throughout the summer: The Try-It series, which offers mini skills-learning workshops on Thursdays and Fridays through August.

On Thursdays, North House will hold Wood-fired Bread mini courses where students will learn about baking bread in a wood-fired oven.

North House Folk School will hold wood-fired breadbaking mini courses this summer.

There are two sessions per day, from 1-3 p.m. and from 4:30-6 p.m. Cost is $20 per session or $30 for adult and child. Limited to 8 participants for each session, which run through August. For more info and to register, call North House at 387-9762.

And the Local Food Market will be held in the parking lot of the Cook County Community Center from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursdays, featuring vegetables in season, wood-fired artisan breads, fresh flowers and fresh eggs.

The Local Food Market will be held in the Cook County Community Center parking lots from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday.

North House Folk School is holding Timber Frame mini courses on Friday mornings from at 10 a.m. to noon through the month of August.

North House will hold timber framing mini-courses on Fridays this summer.

Students will learn about timber framing tools and joinery, and put up a timber frame and then take it apart. For info and to register, call 387-9762 or click here.

Hands-on opportunities continue on Friday with a Paint-A-Tile workshop at the Grand Marais Art Colony from 1-2:30 p.m.. Participants will learn about Majolica glazing techniques and then decorate two tiles with their own designs. The tiles will be fired and ready for pick-up on Sunday, June 30. To register, call the Art Colony at 387-2737. Cost is $25.

And Joy & Co. will hold Try-Days on Friday from 4-7 p.m. where the public is invited to come into the shop and make are from their wide selection of art supplies. Free.

On WTIP’s The Roadhouse on Friday night, Nate Cannon, the trans activist, trainer and author who will be speaking at the Grand Marais Library on Saturday, will talk about his work. Also on the Roadhouse, bluesman Randy Casey, who will be performing at the Wunderbar this weekend, will be on the show to talk about his music and play a few tunes. The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m.

If you’re going to be in Duluth on Friday evening, head downtown for the Downtown Duluth Arts Walk from 5-8 p.m. This is the First anniversary celebration of the event, which has been held on the last Friday of the month in galleries and a variety of venues in Downtown Duluth from 5-8 p.m. It’s always full of new discoveries.

This print by Jeffrey Schmidt of Downtown Duluth will be available during the Arts Walk.

Of particular interest: An opening at the Joseph Nease Gallery, 23 W. 1st St. Artist Matthew Kluber will open his exhibit, “I’m in Love,” featuring new and recent work, featuring three large-scale paintings with computer projections.

Matthew Kluber opens an exhibit at the Joseph Nease Gallery on Friday.

The opening will be from 5-8 p.m. All invited.

Saturday opens with the start of the Lutsen 99er, an ultra-marathon mountain bike race, catering to bikers of all ages and abilities. The race is sold out, but observers are welcome. It starts at 8 a.m. at Lutsen Mountains.

Then, at 9 a.m., the Cook County Market opens in the Senior Center parking lot in downtown Grand Marais, featuring a variety of work by local artists and artisans.

The Cook County Market opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday in the Senior Center parking lot.

On Saturday night, author Sheila O’Connor will read from and discuss her new middle-grade novel, “Until Tomorrow Mr. Marsworth” at Drury Lane Books starting at 7 p.m.

Author Sheila O’Connor will be at Drury Lane Books at 7 p.m. Saturday to read from her latest book.

The Park Point Art Fair in Duluth will be held Saturday and Sunday.

The booths are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and feature clay, fiber, glass, painting, printmaking photography, jewelry, woodwork and sculpture. Free.

Painting the Light by Kat Corrigan. She will give an Artist Talk at Cook County Higher Education at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 3.

• Tofte: Look for a great small-town 4th of July celebration in Tofte. It kicks off with the Tofte Trek 10K Trail Run at 8 a.m. from the Birch Grove Community School. A little later in the morning, in “downtown” Tofte, look for live music with Cook County’s Most Wanted and Joshua Schmidt, food vendors, a beer garden and a craft fair. The 4th of July Tofte Parade is the best. It starts at 1 p.m.
• Grand Marais: the Bazillions play in Harbor Park, and at 10 p.m. Fireworks over the Grand Marais Harbor,
• Grand Portage: Fireworks at 10 p.m. at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.

A selection off Alexa Caron’s paintings currently on exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post.

This week, the Heritage Post will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday, It will be closed July 1-4 to mount a new exhibit by Tara Austin. The opening reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. Friday, July 5. Stay tuned.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art continues its exhibit, Asymmetry, featuring three-dimensional works for its collection.

One of the works in the Tweed’s exhibit, “Asymmetry.”

Also in Duluth, former Grand Marais printmaker Kelly Dupre is exhibiting a collection of her linocuts in the City Hall Rotunda in Duluth. She currently resides in Duluth.

Artwork by Kelly Dupre.

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery in Thunder Bay, has opened a new exhibit by Joane Cardinal-Schubert, an artist, activist, curator, poet, writer and mentor from Western Canada.

The Thunder Bay Art Gallery has opened a new exhibit by Joan Cardinal-Schubert.

The exhibit continues through the summer

Upcoming:

 The Hovland Arts Festival is next week, Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6, at the Hovland Town Hall.

The Hovland Arts Festival is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. next week,July 5 & 6.

The event features work from more than 40 local artists and artisans including paintings, fiber art, photographs, pottery, woodwork, multi-media work and more. There will also be live music, and food will be available. All invited.

The following weekend, July 13 & 14, the Grand Marais Arts Festival will be held in downtown Grand Marais, featuring original work by 70 local and regional artists.

The Grand Marais Arts Festival will be held in downtown Grand Marais July 13-14. File photo by Dennis Chick.

The festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 13 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. The festival also includes hands-on activities, demonstrations, and the Clothesline Art Sale. To see all the events and the artists who will participate, click here. Also, the event features An Artful Evening, a fundraiser for the Art Colony that is held on Friday night in Harbor Park and features fine food and drinks, live music, an Artful Auction, and a chance to support the work of the Art Colony. To find out more and purchase tickets, click here.

And, the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council offers a wide variety of grants for artists. To find out more, click on the icon below.

 Music:

Thursday, June 27:

• Terry Valdiva & Friends, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Music by the Campfire, Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 6:30 p.m.
• Frozen Britches, Cascade Lodge, 8 p.m.
• Bug Dope, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Friday, June 28:
• North Country Fair, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Randy Casey, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Josh Cleveland Band, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 29:

• Randy Casey, Wunderbar, 5 p.m.
• Gene Lafond and Amy Grillo, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Briand Morrison, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Luke Callen, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• The Cruisers, Grandma Ray’s. 8 p.m.
• the 4onthefloor, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 20:

• Briand Morrison, Moguls’ Grille, 10 a.m.
• Sunday Bluegrass, Ben Suchy, North Shore Wintery, 2 p.m.
• Music by the Lake, Cookie, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik and Pat Flack, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.

Monday, July 1:

• Mark Joseph & American Soul, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, July 2:

• Music by the Campfire, Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Mark Joseph & American Soul, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, July 3:

• Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille, 5 p.m.
• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 5 p.m.

Thursday, July 4:

• Tofte 4th of July Celebration, Cook County’s Most Wanted, Joshua Schmidt, noon
• Jim Mller, Cascade Lodge Restaurant, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne & Friends, North Shore Winery, 7 p.m.
• Space Monkey Mafia, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• KutDown, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Friday, July 5:

• Live Music, Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland Town Hall, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Don Juan Trio, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 6:

• Live Music, Hovland Arts Festival, Hovland Town Hall, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Jim McGowan, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Log Cabin Concerts with Michael Monroe, rural Grand Marais, 7 p.m., www.michaelmonroemusic.com

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

First, wildlife:

“A visitor stopped by” by David Johnson.

A Black Bear and dandelions by Paul Sundberg.

Fox kits by Keith Crowley.

And flowers:

Pink Ladyslippers by Paul Sundberg.

The bloom of a red osier dogwood by Mona Abdel Rahman.

June in the Superior National Forest by Thomas Spence.

And moving water:

Spooky Glass by Christian Dalbec.

Seven Bridges Road (in Duluth) by Glenn Blaszkiewicz.

Falls in the Boundary Waters by Bryan Hansel.

 On the way to water:

Summer Solstice Dawn by William Hurst.

Rocks & Water:

Rock picking is most certainly a favorite pastime by Danielle Fortin.

Black Beach by Ken Harmon.

Clear, calm Lake Superior by Thomas Spence.

The moon and Lake Superior:

Strawberry Moonrise by Bryan Hansel.

Water reflections:

Early morning sunrise on Poplar Lake by Beth Robinson.

Happy Solstice by Christian Dalbec.

And finally, Boundary Waters:

Captured in Cook County near the BWCAW by Ryan Tischer.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

(Greetings!  If you enjoyed my blog and found it useful this week, please consider making a donation.  Just click on the image below. And Thank You!)

“Lupine” by John Heino.

This weekend we can look forward to one of the best celebrations of summer: the Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival at North House Folk School.

The event draws in crowds from all over the region and beyond to spend a weekend connecting with wooden boats on Lake Superior.

The Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival is at North House Folk School this weekend.

The festival features everything from a boat parade, craft demonstrations,  a Contra Dance, the Boat and Tool Auction, workshops and presentations, plus the Lake Superior Chowder Experience, to name a few of the experiences and events of this great summer celebration in Grand Marais..

This year’s featured speaker is Douglas Brooks, who spent time in Japan learning from traditional boatbuilders. He will teach and demonstrate throughout the weekend as well as give a presentation at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.

And, not to forget the iconic feature of this festival: the Summer Solstice Pageant presented by the Good Harbor Hill Players. The pageant is always funny, with lots of people on stilts, and puppets and amusing songs and situations, and is not to be missed. The title of this year’s production? “Let’s Go Camping.” (One has to assume that there will be lots of vignettes about bugs, since they’ve been so pervasive this year.)

The Good Harbor Hill Players will present “Let’s Go Camping,” their Summer Solstice Pageant, in the Commons at North House Folk School at 8 p.m. Saturday.

The pageant starts at 8 p.m. Saturday in the Commons at North House. Bring a chair and a jacket or blanket, and get ready to enjoy the show. For all the details about the weekend events, click here.

There are lots of other events going on this weekend, too.

On Thursday, the Local Food Market, featuring locally grown vegetables, baked goods, including wood-fired breads, fresh eggs as well as fresh flowers, will be held in the parking lot at the Cook County Community Center from 4:30-6 p.m.

Trevor Huggins sells his wood-fired artisan bread at the Local Food Market on Thursdays.

On Friday, watercolor artist Spence Meagher will give a demonstration at the Grand Marais Art Colony at 7 p.m.

Amber Evening by Spencer Meagher. He will be demonstrating at the Art Colony at 7 p.m.

Meagher will share how he lets color and value tell the story in his work. His paintings have been featured in publications such as Plein Air Magazine and Plein Air Today. This event is free and open to all. Goodwill donations are welcome.

In Thunder Bay, the Magnus Theatre will be screening the controversial film, “There Are No Fakes,” which explores the alleged forgery of thousands of Norveau Morrison’s works. The Anishinaabe artist died in 2007, but during his lifetime he became known as the grandfather of Indigenous art in Canada and the “Picasso of the North.”

The film, There Are No Fakces,” will be screened at the Magnus Theater in Thunder Bay on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m.

The painter started what has become known as the Woodland School of Painting and was a prolific painter himself. Tickets for the film are $15.

On Saturday, local artists and artisans gather in the parking lot of the Cook County Senior Center for the weekly Cook County Market. The Market features clothing, fiber art, pottery, woodwork, jewelry, glass and more.

Jake Carr has new wooden earrings this year at the Cook County Market.

The Market is held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekly through mid-October.

The Wooden Boat Show continues at North House Folk School with the Boat to Tool Auction, Lake Superior Chowder Experience, Boat Parade and the Summer Solstice Pageant.

Also on Saturday, Sivertson Gallery will host a Summer Solstice Party from 5-7 p.m. Photographer Christian Dalbec will speak.

Photographer Christian Dalbec, who is well-known for his up-close-and-personal photographs of Lake Superior, will be the featured speaker at the Summer Solstice gathering at Siverson Gallery on Saturday from 5-7 p.m.

And in Thunder Bay on Saturday, the Thunder Bay Potters Guild will hold a Pottery Fair at Mariners Hall on the waterfront.

The Thunder Bay Potters Guild will hold a Pottery Fair at Mariners Hall on the waterfront on Saturday.

The Pottery Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (EDT).

On Wednesday next week, the West End Market at Mountain Inn will be held from 4-6:30 p.m. featuring local artisans and vegetables in season.

Also on Wednesday, colored pencil artist Kristy Kutch will demonstrate the versatility of colored pencils at the Grand Marais Art Colony at 4:30 p.m.

Artwork by colored pencil artist Kristy Kutch. She will be demonstrating at the Art Colony on Wednesday, June 26.

The event is open to the public. All invited.

Exhibits:

 Minnesota artist Alexa Carson is exhibiting her work at the Johnson Heritage Post. The exhibit features her extraordinary wildlife paintings and drawings.

Red-tailed hawk by Alexa Carson is one of the pieces on exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post.

The exhibit is entitled “Calling” and features paintings that invoke the call of the wilderness– the call of the chickadee, the loon, the wolf. The Heritage Post is 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.

Also, the Heritage Post has selected George Morrison as the Artist of the Month. A number of his prints are on view at the gallery this month.

George Morrison is the Artist of the Month at the Johnson Heritage Post.

In Duluth, the Tweed Museum of Art is exhibiting a fascinating selection of sculptures from its collection.

Striker Fan I by Daniella Dooling is on exhibit at the Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth. It is part of the “Asymmetry: Three-Dimensional Works.”

The exhibit is entitled “Asymmetry: Three-Dimensional Works.”

The Duluth Art Institute is featuring an exhibit entitled “Strata.”

Multi-Media Pice by Natalie Salminen-Rude is one of the pieces in the “Strata” exhibit at the Duluth Art Institute.

In Minneapolis, Hazel Belvo and Marcia Cushmore are exhibiting work created during their travels around the country at the Opening Night Framing Services Gallery, 2836 Lyndale Ave. S.

Hazel Belvo and Marcia Cushmore have opened at exhibit at Opening Night Framing Services Gallery.

The exhibit continues through June 20. This will be the last exhibit at Opening Night. The shop will close, after 40 years in service.

Artist News:

 Photographer Roxanne Distad is a new artist at JNS Gallery in Lutsen.

Lovely Lake Superior by Roxanne Distad. Her work is being exhibited at the JNS Gallery in Lutsen.

Painter Jeanne Hedstrom has work at Yellowbird Fine Art in Grand Marais.

Jeanne Hedstrom has work at Yellowbird Fine Art in Grand Marais.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council will be at the Grand Marais Art Colony for  an Info Session and Grant Consolation starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday. All artists are invited to attend.  For more info and to schedule an individual grant consultation, contact the Art Colony at 387-2737.

For more info about ARAC and the grants it offers, click on the image below.

  Music:

 Here’s the music schedule for the week:

Thursday June 20:

• Billy Johnson, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Gun Flint Tavern, 6 p.m.
• Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, June 21:

• Pushing Chain, Voyageur Brewing, 4 p.m.
• The Portage Band, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
• Don Juan Trio, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• North Shore Community Swing Band, Poplar Haus, 7 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Black River Revue, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Jon Kallberg, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.

Saturday June 22:

• Pushing Chain, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, 7 p.m.
• Jim Miller, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• The South Paws, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• Jon Miller, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 23:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Black River Revue, Bluegrass Sundays at the Lutsen Winery, 3 p.m.
• Cook County Most Wanted, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Open Stage with Joe Paulik and Pat Flack, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, June 26:

• Timmy Haus, Patio Series, Mogul’s Grille, 5 p.m.
• Jam Session, Gun Flint Tavern, 7 p.m.

Photographs:

 We were lucky again this week to find a great selection of photographs.

Let’s start with wildflowers.

Looking up through the daisies by Jeff Grotte.

“Rhapsody in Violet– birdsfoot violet by John Heino.

Yellow Lady’s Slipper by Paul Sundberg.

And a few wildlife photos.

A rare sighting of a Yellow Rail in the McGregor Marsh by Sparky Stensaas.

Wolf in tall grass by Thomas Spence.

Little ones in the spruce bog with Mom by David Johnson.

Helping a turtle cross the road by Kristofer Bowman.

Here’s a crusty moon:

Another clear night, another stellar moon by Jamie Strickland.

And a few landscapes and seascapes:

Return to Elbow Lake by Tim Young.

How we rock in my neighborhood by Don Davison.

Shelf Cloud by Jamie Rabold.

That beautiful view from Split Rock Lighthouse as the fog swept along the shore by Roxanne Distad.

Split Rock Lighthouse by Amber Nustad Sprague.

Northwoods Sunrise by Ryan Fischer.

Last night’s sunset over Devil Track Lake by Bryan Hansel.

And last, but not least, the Hjordis.

A hazy afternoon in Grand Marais by Norissa Meininger.

Grand Marais in the summer– North House Folk School‘s The Hjordis passes by the light house. Photo by Matthew Pastick.

Summer seems to have arrived on the North Shore with warm temps and lots of sun – and we can see that the Hjordis is out plying the waters. (Click on the link to reserve your spot.) This weekend there’s lots to do and see, too, as well as taking a trip on Lake Superior.

The week’s events kick-off with the season’s opening of the Local Food Market. It will be from 4:30-6 p.m. on Thursday, June 13 in the parking lot at the Cook County Community Center, and every Thursday afternoon through Oct. 17,

The Local Food Market opens on Thursday at the Cook County Community Center from 4:30-6 p.m. The market is held every Thursday through Oct. 17.

The Local Food Market, a project of the Northwoods Food Project, features locally grown vegetables in season, baked goods and fresh flowers and, often, fresh eggs, as well as other locally produced foods. Everyone is invited.

Also this week, the Grand Marais Art Colony is holding the Findings Jewelry Symposium, featuring nationally known jewelry artists teaching workshops, giving Artist Talks and participating in a Trunk Show on Saturday evening from 5-7 p.m.

As part of the Symposium, jewelry artist Anna Johnson, will give an Artist Talk at Cook Higher Education entitled “Artistic Symbiosis” at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Anna Johnson, the keynote presenter at the Grand Marais Art Colony‘s Jewelry Symposium, will give an Artist Talk about her work at Cook County Higher Education at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 13.

Johnson will talk about jewelry in the world and share about her work and process, as well as talk about professional practice. This event is free and open to all. Goodwill donations are welcome. The event is held by the Art Colony in partnership with Cook County Higher Education.

Colleen Myhre will be a guest on WTIP’s the Roadhouse on Friday  She will talk about her music and play a few songs. The Roadhouse airs from 5-7 p.m. The musicians usually come on about 6:15 or so.

On Saturday, the Grand Marais Art Colony will host a jewelry Trunk Show from 5-7 p.m. at the Art Colony.

Jewelry artists participating in the Grand Marais Art Colony‘s Findings Jewelry Symposium will hold a Trunk Show at the Art Colony from 5-7 p.m. Saturday. Open to all. (File photo)

The Trunk Show will feature handmade work by a number of jewelry artists including Anna Johnson, Danny Saathoff, Becky McDonah, Lissa Flemming, and Susan Crow, among others. For more info about the symposium, click here. The Trunk Show is open to the public.

There are a lot of other activities this weekend as well.

On Friday and Saturday, potter Ann Ward will  have Pots for Sale at 418 4th Ave.E. . located behind the IGA in Grand Marais. She is participating in a 3-family garage sale at that location.

Potter Ann Ward will have a variety of pots for sale at 418 4th Ave.W. from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

And first thing on Saturday morning, the Cook County Market opens at the Senior Center parking lot in downtown Grand Marais. The Market, which runs from at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., features a wide variety of work by local artists and artisans. including woodwork, pottery, fiber art, books and more, as well as a massage table, fresh eggs and live music.

The Cook County Markets held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Cook County Senior Center.  Jeff Liljestrand makes birdhouses on a stick.

A Seedling Support Project will be held at Pincushion Recreation Area on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.

Volunteers will support tree seedlings by clearing back competing plants and making sure protective tree cages are intact. Meet at the Pincushion Recreation Area parking lot at noon. Volunteers should bring water and a snack. Wear long pants, a long-sleeve shirt and closed-toes shoes. Gloves and tools will be provided. The project is a partnership between the Northwoods Volunteer Connection, Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District and the US Forest Service.

Also this weekend, the Cook County Historical Society is celebrating the history and heritage of Cook County, from Schroeder to the Gunflint Trail and along the shore to Grand Portage in a series of events. presentations and tours at museums and heritage sites. They are calling the event Passport Weekend. There are lots of things to see. Check out the image below.

One of the highlights of the event will be a presentation by Don Halverson about the community of Hovland, entitled “Hovland: The Unintentional Settlement.”

In this old photograph, the Easton is at the Hovland Dock where it has just unloaded oats for the horses in the logging camps. Photo courtesy of Don Halverson. Halverson will give a talk about Hovland at the Johnson Heritage Post at 4 p.m. Saturday.

The presentation will include lots of great old photographs and stories and will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Johnson Heritage Post. All invited. Free.

Also on Saturday, Minnesota and Anishinaabe writer Linda Legarde Grover, will read from and discuss her latest novel, “In the Night of Memory” at Drury Lane Books at 7 p.m.

Linda Legarde Grover will read from her latest novel at Drury Lane Books at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The event is free and open to the public.

And, on Wednesday, the West End Market will be held at Mountain Inn on Ski Hill Road in Lutsen from 4-6:30 p.m. The market features arts and crafts as well as vegetables in season.

Exhibits:

 A new exhibit has opened at the Johnson Heritage Post featuring the wildlife paintings of Minnesota artist Alexa Carson.

Jerome, by Alexa Carson is one of the paintings currently on exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post.

The exhibit continues through June 30. The Heritage Post is 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. Sundays. Free.

Plein air artist Neil Sherman has new work at the Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais.

Approaching Weather by Neil Sherman is at Sivertson Gallery.

Betsy Bowen’s Studio Gallery has just received new carved wooden boxes by Peter Kess of Ely. They are carefully made of fine woods and carved.

Wave Boxes by Peter Kess are at Betsy Bowen’s Studio Gallery.

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

At Tettegouche State Park, an exhibit of the watercolor paintings by Susan Wright continues through the month of June.

“Cascades” by Susan Wright.

The paintings are on exhibit in the Great Hall at the park.

In Duluth, painter Sue Rauschenfels is exhibiting a series of new work in acrylics at Pizza Luce.

Sue Rauschenfels is exhibiting new work at Pizza Luce in Duluth.

The Tweed Museum of Art is featuring a number of exhibits, including “Intersections,” Native American art chosen from its collection.

“From Every Direction” by Julia Buffalohead is at the Tweed Museum of Art.

Artist Allen Killian-Moore is exhibiting his videos and photographs at the Duluth Art Institute.

“Still from Late Stage Catastrophe” by Allen Killian Moore, is one of the works on exhibit at the Duluth Art Institute.

The exhibit continues through Aug. 11.

In Thunder Bay, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery is featuring the exhibition: “Northwest Coast Masks: Selections from the Permanent Collection.”

“Portrait Mask” by Beau Dick is one of the Northwest Coast masks currently on exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

The exhibition continues through Sept. 12.

Upcoming:

North House Folk School‘s Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival will be June 21-23.

The Wooden Boat Show and Summer Solstice Festival is June 21-23.

Look for rows of unique watercraft, a boat parade, craft demonstrations, an evening square dance, Boats-to-Tools auction, mini-courses as well as the Summer Solstice Pageant. Stay tuned for details and/or click here for more info.

The Hovland Arts Festival is Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6 this year.

The Hovland Arts Festival is Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6 this year.

The festival is held at the Hovland Town Hall and features lots of arts and crafts, music and food. Stay tuned for details.

The Grand Marais Arts Festival will be July 13 & 14 this year in downtown Grand Marais. The event features an incredible variety of artists and artwork, a fundraiser (An Artful evening) as well as food and music. Click here for more information.

The Grand Marais Arts Festival is held along the harbor in Grand Marais. Northwoods Fiber Guild members yarn-bombed the bear statue a few years ago to celebrate the festival.

Artist News:

John Bragstad has recently published a book of his poetry.

John Bragstad has published a book of his poems. They available in Grand Marais bookstores.

Blogger Lizanne Lately has written a great little piece about Things to do in Grand Marais on her adventure/lifestyle blog.

Photo courtesy of Lizanne Lately.

You can read her article, here.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council will hold an Info Session and Grant Consultation in Grand Marais on Saturday, June 22, from 9 a.m. until noon at the Grand Marais Art Colony.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council will be in Grand Marais for an info session and grant consultation on Saturday, June 22 at the Grand Marais Art Colony.

Grant consultation appointments will be from 10 a.m. until noon. Call the Art Colony for an appointment at 218-387-2737. Or, if you’re not able to make it to the information session but would like more information about grants, call at (218) 722-0952 to talk with our grants manager or make an appointment to talk in-person. You can also read about the ARAC grants here.

 Music:

Thursday, June 13:

• Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
• Music by the Campfire, Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, June 14:

• Briand Morrison, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
• Rox n’Soul, Briand Morrison & Roxann Berglund, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 15:

• Common Ground, Cascade Lodge, 6 p.m.
• Pete K–Outdoor Set, Wunderbar, 6:15 p.m.
• Wunderdogs, Wunderbar, 7 p.m.
• Gordon Thorne, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
• Colleen Myhre, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
• Don Juan Trio, Grandma Ray’s, 8 p.m.
• SFO: A Tribute to Journey, Grand Portage Lodge & Casino, 8 p.m.
• DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, June 16:

• Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille, 10 a.m.
• Briand Morrison,  Jazz & Blues Afternoon Matinee,  Gunflint Tavern, 2-4 p.m.
• Mysterious Ways, Music by the Lake, Skyport Lodge, 4 p.m.
• Joe Paulik & Pat Flack, Open Mic, Wunderbar, 6 p.m.

Photographs:

We are lucky to have great photographers out shooting on the North Shore every day. Here is a selection of the photos we found this week.

First of all,  lots of wildlife youngsters:

Young moose on the Gunflint Trail by Eric Sherman.

Figuring it out by James Hall.

Seven little ducklings. Photo by David Johnson.

And here are a few photos of adults being adults in the spring.

Dad bringing an oversize meal to a young chick by Jeff Henningsgaard.

American kestrels mating in Yellowstone by Root River Photography.

And a wolf sighting on the Gunflint Trail.

Wolf on the Gunflint Trail by Eric Sherman.

Waterfalls continue their magic.

The Cascade, courtesy of Lake Superior Trading Post.

This is also the season to take great photos of the Milky Way over Lake Superior, too. Here are two examples we found this week.

Near Silver Bay by Matt Herberg.

The best kind of nights by Justin Vrba.

And this beauty, an evocative cedar forest:

Never miss an opportunity to walk through a cedar forest on a foggy day by Mick Rollins.

And a surprising sunrise …

Exploded rainbow by Christian Dalbec.

And then, this:

Up close and personal by Kelly Marquart.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

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