Potpourri IV

How newsy is NorthShore ArtScene? That’s a question we’ve been asking this week, as we face reporting on a devastating fire that destroyed three family businesses in downtown Grand Marais on Monday, April 13. White Pine North, owned by Jessica & Tyler Dean, The Crooked Spoon owned by Sara & Nathan Hingos and Picnic and Pine, owned by Kelsey Kennedy & Peter Klinker were destroyed in the fire. The cause of the fire is not known at this time. No one was injured.

Whipped by winds gusting over 20 mph, volunteer firemen from four different volunteer fire departments, Grand Marais, Maple Hill, Colvill and Lutsen, battled the blaze. The three businesses could not be saved. Sven & Ole’s, which is across the alley, was saved and suffered only minor damage.

The horror, heartbreak and sadness at first overwhelmed this small community, already reeling from the closures of local businesses due to Corvid-19.  But, like the strong community that it is, Grand Marais has rallied to help in any way it can.

A GoFundMe Fire Relief Fund, launched by Abby Tofte and Tina Hegg Raway, has been set up to accept online donations to help the businesses get back on their feet. As of this morning, it had raised more than $25,000 from donations across the region and the country.  Click here to donate and find out more about the fundraiser. Grand Marais’ mayor, Jay Arrowsmith DeCoux, set up three accounts at the Grand Marais State Bank for relief donations as well. Checks can be sent to Grand Marais State Bank, PO Box 100, Grand Marais, MN 55604.

There is more to report, unfortunately.

The Hovland Arts Festival, scheduled for the July 4th weekend, has been cancelled. “We waited as long as we could to make this difficult decision.” the Hovland Arts Festival Committee wrote to its neighbors. “It’s based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat. Just having one person get sick if we proceed is too many. Please join us next year on the 4th of July weekend!”

North House Folk School has cancelled all courses through June 19. They write: “We are extending our course cancellation period through June 19 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and protect our students, instructors, staff, and neighbors. If you are registered for a course during this time frame, you should have received an email regarding your refund options. If you didn’t, please email us at info@northhouse.org or call us at 218-387-9762.”

The Grand Marais Art Colony has cancelled all programming through Aug. 31, “including all on-site classes and activities, and our annual Arts Festival, in order to protect the health and safety of your community. We are exploring ways to pivot our programming to an online platform. Look for GMAC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to find information and ways to engage.”

And the Cook County Market, featuring work by a variety of local artists and artisans, will postpone its opening at least through July. The Market, which is held in the Senior Center parking lot, usually opens over Memorial Day Weekend.

For all updates on cancellations, new hours of operations for local businesses, check visitcookcounty.com , WTIP Community Radio, and Exploring the North Shore. You can also check these sites for re-openings and new events.

We are hopeful, here on the North Shore — the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness will open Tuesday, May 5 and the Fishing Opener is Saturday, May 9.

And, since we are still in stay-at-home mode, here is this week’s potpourri to watch and enjoy this week:

Virtual:

North House Folk School has developed a series of online videos entitled “Crafting in Place.” This week’s offerings:

Watch Beth Dooley make a quick and easy Spiced Lentil Stew on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 16.

Click on the links to see:

• Live at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 16: Life Aboard a Sailboat with the Gordon Family Zoom Webinar
• April 17, 10 a.m., Seed Starting with Ian Andrus of Creaking Tree Farm video on Facebook and YouTube.

The Arrowhead Regional Arts Council is holding a Virtual Town Hall for the Arts on Thursday April 16 at 4 p.m. ARAC will talk about two new emergency grant programs they have developed as well as other ways it can help artists and arts organizations and give a preview of what to expect from the state funding system in the next six months. It’s a town hall, so they’re asking artists to weigh in. What are your challenges? How are you helping each other? It’s Zoom meeting, so everyone is invited. To sign up, just send an email to info@aracouncil.org and we’ll send you the virtual sign-in information.

The American Craft Council is holding a Zoom conference/forum at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 17, on education disruptions and opportunities.

To register, click here. 

The Duluth Art Institute is hosting a free,  in-depth seminar entitled  “Visual Arts on Camera with Philip Gilpin Jr from Catalyst Stories.” It will include practical details on the steps of development, writing, physical production, post-production, and distribution of your videos. Click here to register. Free.

Watch a movie:

Watch an Artist’s Talk by Nan Onkka, as she describes the pieces she was scheduled to show at the Johnson Heritage Post Gallery this month. When the gallery closed, she rescheduled her show to 2021, and decided to to a virtual opening this month, too.

Here’s a music/dance video filmed in Iceland that might be of interest:

 How about watching Shakespeare at the Globe Theater in London? They’re streaming The Bard’s greatest plays on YouTube.

 Or, watch the “Les Miserables” cast, in concert (and in costume) on this video.

 Artists:

Artists continue to work, too. Here’s a look at what some of them are doing.

Lee Ross has completed a series of works in glass for a glass exhibit that was scheduled for May at the Johnson Heritage Post. That show has been rescheduled, but the artists involved had already made lots of work for it. Here’s one of her pieces.

Dave Steckelberg has been working in his studio.

Jo Wood has been working as well

Duluth painter Adam Swanson‘s latest:

Also in Duluth, Carolyn Olson has been documenting the times:

Potter Jason Trebs is getting ready for the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour, which is online this year over Mother’s Day weekend. Click here to learn more.

Marty Harris is still printing beautiful work in his Minneapolis studio.

And thank you! to Betsy Bowen for regularly posting inspiring work in her Comfort series on her Facebook page.

And here’s an image from a long time ago. The Tweed Museum of Art, which is also closed, has been posting images of works from its collection. This is one:

There are grants and opportunities to help artists during this difficult time. Click  and scroll down here to find resources.

Music:

Here are just a few music videos for you to enjoy. Again, a potpourri.

Bochelli in Milan:

 Trampled by Turtles:

Blues: Taj Mahal and Keb Moe, filmed in the French Quarter:

 Sami singer, Mari Boine:

 Photographs:

We found lots of great work this week. Here’s a selection:

Let’s start with this photograph we found on space weather.com. It’s a sun halo. The photographer was stunned to see this on Easter morning.

And here are some favorite wildlife shots.

Landscapes and lakescapes:

And finally, a little levity for you:

May your week go well. Be Safe.

P.S. Send me images of what you’ve been doing in your studio! Email me at Joan.farnam@gmail.com

Also, if you’d like to help support NorthShore ArtScene, click on the icon below to donate. And thank you!