Fall is like a firecracker/Explosions of color. Photograph by Sarah Allen.
We’re in for it now– Fall has arrived on the North Shore and the woods are beginning their final show of the season.
First maples by Paul Sundberg.
And with that comes two showy fall events: Grand Marais Plein Air and North House Folk School’ s Unplugged, both happening this weekend, modified by Covid-19 protections. And then, in two weeks, the 10-day Art Along the Lake Fall Studio Tour begins, again modified for Covid.
The good news? There will be lots to see, and even do, this year.
Grand Marais Plein Air draws painters from all over the region to spend a week painting what they see around Cook County, culminating in an exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post. The event has been modified this year, so artists who don’t want to travel can paint in place and still participate in the competition by uploading their completed paintings on www.pleinairgrandmarais.org It’s a fun site to visit, because it changes every day as competitors upload their pieces.
But, there are still lots of plein air painters out there. They can be spotted on roadsides, on the shore, in neighborhoods …
Plein air painter Kathy Weinberg works on a piece for Grand Marais Plein Air. Photo by John Weinberg.
And this Thursday, those who are in town will carry their painting gear out to Artists Point for the Quick Paint Competition. It starts at 3:30 p.m. and runs through 5 p.m., in which time the work has to be completed. Everyone is invited to watch, with masks and social distancing rules in place. It’s a fun event. WDSE made an award-winning video of the Quick Paint several years ago. They called it The Plein Air Brush Off.
The WDSE film crew and Karen Sunderman interview Scott Lloyd Anderson and Neil Sherman for the Plein Air Brush Off, which won a regional Emmy in 2011.
Check out the video here. And wander down to Artists Point to see what’s happening this year.
There will be a virtual opening at the Johnson Heritage Post on Friday, Sept. 18, and the gallery will be open to the public on Saturday, Sept. 19, with Covid protocols in place. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1-4 p.m. on Fridays.
Cascade Off the Grade by Paula Gustafson, one of the painters participating in Grand Marais Plein Air this year.
On Saturday, check out the two local artisan markets, the Cook County Market and the Maker’s Market.
The Cook County Market is held in The Hub’s parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Marker’s Market is held in the alley next to the Beaver House on Thursdays through Sundays.
Also on Saturday, the North Shore Winery continues its Plein Air Art events featuring demonstrations and sales by local artists. This week, Bonnie Gay and Howard Hedstrom will be featured — Howard with his wood turned bowls and Bonnie Gay with her mixed media works, including felting and painting.
Bonnie Gay and Howard Hedstrom are the featured artists at the North Shore Winery’s outdoor event on Saturday.
This outdoor event is weather-dependent and requires reservations. Covid protocols are in place. To make a reservation, click here or call 218-481-9280.
And, on Saturday night, North House Folk School will present “Unplugged 2020: Bringing It Home Online. To kick off the show, the Plucked Up String Band will play. Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of “Braiding Sweetgrass” is the featured speaker and her presentation will be followed by a live auction and Fund-a-Need opportunities. Then Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Eliza Gilkyson will take to the on-line stage.
Eliza Gilkyson will be featured for North House Folk School’s Unplugged 2020 Online on Saturday. She will be interviewed on WTIP’s The Roadhouse on Friday night.
To find out more about Unplugged and get tickets, click here.
Upcoming:
The Art Along the Lake Fall Studio Tour, which runs from Sept. 25-Oct. 4, has a new online component because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Art Along the Lake Fall Studio Tour is Sept. 25-Oct. 4 this year and many artists are offering online options to view their work.
This year’s tour features 23 art studios and galleries, many of whom will be exhibiting online. The artists have been making lots of new work. If you can’t make the tour in person, visit the artist and gallery websites here. You can also visit the Art Along the Lake page from North Shore Arts League, which features many of the Fall Studio Tour artists. Stay tuned for more next week.
Artist Opportunities:
The North Shore Artists League has put out a call for member artists to participate in the Johnson Heritage Post 2nd Annual Member Show. The exhibit will open Dec. 11. Artists may submit up to three pieces. The opening reception will be a live Facebook event, with the gallery open over the weekends during the show. For more information,
The Grand Marais Art Colony has opened a Virtual Mentor Program, featuring artists from a variety of media who will be available for one-to-one mentoring sessions.
Sun Yung Shin, who edited “A Good Time for the Truth” is one of the mentors in the new Grand Marais Art Colony program.
Sun Yung Shin, Shannon Gibney, Denise Walser-Kolar, Donna Bruni, and Ernest Miller are the selected mentors for these sessions. For more information, click here.
Artists at Work:
“Navigating,” collage, by Lee Ross. Lee has created a number of intriguing collages for the Fall Studio Tour.
Linda Baudry designed this logo for T-shirts to be given to MN Responds Covid-19 volunteers for their service in the county for the last six months. The Cook County Emergency Operations Center (EOC), the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) and Set Out Screen Printing collaborated on the project. To date, 210 individuals have logged 4,802.75 hours, helping out with everything from food delivery, staffing the Community Support Help Line, helping seniors and more.
Lou Pignolet has completed work for the Fall Studio Tour. This display is in his studio in Hovland.
Betsy Bowen continues her letter “W” series with Wolf. “Keep watch, Little Red Riding Hood,” she writes.
“Teal ovals in their natural environment,”collage, by Maxene Linehan. Her work can be seen at Betsy Bowen’s Studio Gallery during the Fall Studio Tour.
Justin Roth’s descaled earthenware mug, Owl and Deer, can be found at Upstate MN.
Fall into Winter, fused glass, by Sharon Frykman, one of her pieces for the Fall Studio Tour.
Tom McCann’s “Mountain Lake” from his series, Post Cards from the True Country.
The Cook County Historical Society has created a number of interesting videos. Here’s one:
Virtual Music:
Live Music:
Thursday, Sept. 17:
- Eric Frost, Date Night at the North Shore Winery, 6 p.m., outdoors, reservations required at https://www.exploretock.com/northshorewinery
or call at (218) 481-9280.
Saturday, Sept. 19:
- Boyd Bump Blomberg, Cook County Market, 10:30 – 1 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 20:
WineDown with Eric Frost, North Shore Winery, 3 p.m., reservations required. Reservations at https://www.exploretock.com/northshorewinery
or call at (218) 481-9280.
Photographs:
We found some good photographs this week. Let’s start with plants, mushrooms and flowers.
A gathering of mushrooms by Nimue ADay.
A sturdy one by Kristofer Bowman.
My sunflowers are getting taller than me by Jeanette Paulson.
And here are some wildlife photographs:
Wasp nest by Ron Piercy.
Barred owl feather by Betty Hemstad.
Sparring near St. Paul by Thomas Demma.
A nice group of Spruce Grouse by Thomas Spence.
Wolf pack: Out calling moose the other day, but what shows up– a pack of 6 or 7 wolves. By David Johnson.
A fabulous fall view across the swamp by Thomas Spence.
Punk birds of the North Country: mergansers on a rock. Photograph by Ilena Hansel.
Orb spider, Araneus marmoleum, commonly called the Marbled Orb Weaver by Shawn Perich.
And here are some landscapes/skyscapes/waterscapes.
Hot air balloon sunrise by Wayne Ortloff.
Cool, quiet dawning by Nancy Seaton.
The colors are coming by David Johnson.
Clouds over Lake Superior by Trish Francis.
ADusk by Don Davison.
And a few Peoplescapes:
A beautiful fall day on the harbor by Paul Sundberg.
Ricing with Staci Drouillard.
A Peoplescape without people. Photograph by Kjersti Vick.
Have a great weekend, everyone. And stay safe!
P.S. If you enjoyed reading NorthShore Artscene this week, please consider donating today by clicking on the button below.
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