March-ness = Art Shows, EATS & Signs of Spring

by Joan Farnam on March 22, 2018

“Stoney Point. Lake Superior” by Mark Mathison.

Celebrations of community and artistic commitment marks this 4th week of March, with community art shows, artist talks, an education fundraiser and a community choir gather, to mention a few.

First up is the EATS or Enriching Academics Through Sustenance event at ISD 166 on Thursday night. This special taste treat will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. at ISD 166, featuring delicious finger foods prepared by Cook County restaurants and venues as well as the culinary classes at the school.

EATS 2018 will be held at ISD 166 on March 22 and will be held from 6-7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $25, and the funds will be used to support projects through the ISD 166 Education Foundation, supporting special projects for teachers that enhance the curriculum. Only 150 tickets will be sold, and there just might be some left. They can be purchased through the school or at Java Moose, the Bluewater Cafe or a school board member. The event will also feature live music and a silent auction.

The Spirit of the Wilderness community art exhibit, “Chaos … Cracks … Creativity” continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through Sunday. The exhibit features a broad selection of work by local artists of every age. It’s a fun show and highly recommended. Here’s a quick selection of some of the works in the exhibit.

“Resilience” ceramic sculpture by Kat Gabrielsen.

A selection of paintings on view at the Heritage Post exhibit.

“Waster Water” by Louise Ramberg, CCHS student.

The Johnson Heritage Post is open from 1-4 p.m. Thursday and Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The show closes on Sunday.

On Friday, fused glass artist Jeffrey Stenborn, who is an invited artist-in-residence at the Grand Marais Art Colony, will give a demonstration of printing on glass at 10 a.m. Stenborn teaches glass throughout the United States, including at Bullseye Glass and The Studio at the Corning Museum of Glass and received his MFA in glass sculpture from Tulane University.

Jeffrey Stenborn will give a printing on class demonstration at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Grand Marais Art Colony. Free, but pre-registration is requested due to limited space in the studio. Call 387-2737 to register.

Pre-registration is requested due to limited space in the glass studio. Call 387-2737 for more info.

On Friday night, WTIP’s the Roadhouse will feature an interview with Karl Jacobs, director of “Cold November”, a coming-of-age film about a young girl’s first deer hunt, shot in northern MN with an all-MN cast. The film popens Friday in Hibbing and Grand Rapids. The Roadhouse will also have the Thunderheads Trio in the studio to talk about their music and play a few songs.

On Saturday, the North Shore Winery will hold a Paint & Sip party at the winery from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. The event features Cheers Pablo from Woodbury to lead its second Paint and Sip party. Chriscell Bedard will be leading the class again this year. No painting experience necessary– just come ready to have some fun. The Winery will provide the canvas, easel, brushes, paints, apron. At the end of the class (2 to 3 hours) each participant will have a great piece of art to take home. The cost is $45, and include a glass or wine or cider. For more information and register, call (218) 481-9280 or email: info@northshorewinery.us.

On Saturday night, Voyageur Brewing will screen, “Saving Snow,” a documentary about how global climate change is impacting winter sports. The screening is free and starts at 7 p.m.

“Saving Snow,” a documentary about how climate change is impacting winter sports, will be screened at Voyageur Brewing Co. at 7 p.m. Saturday. Free.

Check out the trailer here.

On Sunday, Bethlehem Lutheran Church will host a “Community Choir Gather: Singing for Joy” at 4 p.m. The event will feature four Cook County choirs. Each choir will share several of their favorite songs. Coffee and treats will follow. All invited.

Exhibits:

Masterpiece Art, works by students at William Kelly Elementary School, continues in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.

“After Van Gogh” by Randy.

The show features artwork inspired by master artists through the ages.

At the Zeitgist Cafe in Duluth, Adam Swanson’s exhibit continues through the end of the month.

“I’m just like you” by Adam Swanson is at the Zeitgist Cafe in Duluth.

At the Tweed Museum of Art, the exhibit “Treasures From Home: An Anthology of Gifts from Collectors,” continues with a wide selection of art.

Large corked jar by Burch Holden is on exhibit at the Tweed Museum of Art.

Upcoming:

A new exhibit will open at the Johnson Heritage Post on March 30 with a reception from 5-7 p.m. Entitled “Chroma | Creature | Vessel | Vision,” the family exhibit features work by Josie Lewis, Forest Lewis and Corrie Steckelberg with father Joel Lewis.

This painting by Joel Lewis is one of the works to be exhibited in the upcoming show at the Johnson Heritage Post.

Corrie Steckelberg and Joel Lewis will give an tour at the Heritage Post at 1 p.m. on March 31.

Sign up to Make-a-Bowl for Empty Bowls at the Grand Marais Art Colony on Friday and Saturday, April 13-14. There are several sessions each day where participants will throw a bowl on the wheel and make a handbuilt bowl. They will be donated for the Empty Bowls fundraiser, which is held in the the fall. For more information and to register, call 387-2737.

The First Congregational Church will host “Celebrating 100 Years of Shared Community Space” with a benefit concert of jazz and gospel music featuring Chris Gillis, Thomas Stamps and Friends on Sunday, April 15 at 3 p.m. Stay tuned for details.

Hungry Jack Outfitters is teaming up again with plein air artist, Neil Sherman, for a plein air painting trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Sept. 3-6.

Paint in the Boundary Waters! Plein Air trip planned in September.

For more info, click here.

Artist News

The Plucked Up String Band has launched a Kickstarter campaign for the final push to make their debut album, “Rooftop to the Floor.”

Jeff Kniesen created the artwork for the cover of Plucked Up String Band's debut album.

Jeff Niesen created the artwork for the cover of Plucked Up String Band’s debut album.

For more information on this exciting project, click here.

Ron Piercy has moved into his new gallery, Yellowbird Fine Art Gallery, at the corner of Second Street and Highway 61. The gallery’s current hours at 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, Saturday or Sunday, or by chance.

Ron Piercy has opened the doors to his new gallery, Yellowbird Fine Art.

The gallery will hold its Grand Opening over the Memorial Day weekend.

Melissa Wickwire is working on a new series of tiles in her studio.

Tile in process by Melissa Wickwire.

A photo by Travis Novitsky is featured on the cover of the latest Lake Superior Magazine.

Travis Novitsky took this photo of the High Falls at Grand Portage.

And finally, David Gilsvik has new work at Sivertson Gallery.

This painting by David Gilsvik is now at Sivertson Gallery.

Here’s the music for the week:

Thursday, March 22:

John Russ, Mogul’s Grille, 4 p.m.
Maria Nickolay, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
Joe Paulik, Gun Flint Tavern, 8 p.m.
DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Friday, March 23:

Gordon Thorne, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
Joe Paulik, Voyageur’s Brewing, 4 p.m.
Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
Pete K, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
North Shore Community Swing Band, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
Thunderheads, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
Billy Johnson, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 24:

Billy Johnson, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
Jon Cron, North Shore Winery, 3-6 p.m.
Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
Michael Monroe, Log Cabin Concert, 7 p.m., rural Grand Marais, michaelmonroemusic.com
Brothers in Arms, Wunderbar, 8 p.m.
Thunderheads, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
The Suburbs, Papa Charlie’s, 9 p.m.