Frozen Harbor, Grand Marais. Photograph by Don Davison.
Greetings from the North Shore, where Omicron is attempting to ravage us, like it seems to be doing everywhere else in the country right now. Be safe, please.
In honor of this challenge, we have compiled a potpourri of interesting stuff this week, indoors and out, that might take your mind off Covid-19 for a few minutes, at least. Enjoy.
First thing to notice is that, honestly, we have lots of snow this year, and it shouldn’t go to waste. Conditions for skiing, skating (yes, the ice rinks are open in Grand Marais, Tofte and at some resorts on the Gunflint Trail), snowmobiling, sledding and snowshoeing are prime right now.
And this weekend, the Norpine Fat Bike Classic Tour offers all kinds of opportunities for people to explore the fat bike trails. It’s a non-competitive event – ride with family and friends to experience the Northwoods in winter in Cook County. Complete the tour anytime between Saturday, Jan. 15 through Friday, Jan. 28.
The Norpine Fat Bike Classic starts this weekend. The non-competitive event continues through Jan. 28. Click here to learn more. (Photographer unknown)
On Saturday evening, consider doing the Norpine Fat Bike Classic Full Moon Tour, an evening guided tour on the Norpine trails for those wanting to experience night riding (under a full moon, weather permitting). The tour begins and ends at Cascade Lodge.
And, for waterfall lovers, Caribou Highlands will hold a guided frozen waterfall tour from 1:30-3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15.
Caribou Highlands will hold a frozen waterfall tour on Saturday starting at 1:30 p.m. Click here to learn more. Photo by Max LaRochelle.
Also on Saturday, The Big Lake will hold a Pop-up at the North Shore Winery from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The event will featured a wide variety of wall art, ceramics, jewelry gifts, crafts and books reflecting life on the North Shore.
Exhibits:
Dropping Anchor, a new exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post opened last weekend.
Dropping Anchor, a new exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post, continues through Jan. 30.
The Heritage Post is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Monday, and from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. The gallery is requesting that masks be worn by guests.
Opportunities:
Photographer J Grammond will be featured in a Zoom event through Cook County Higher Education entitled “A Road Trip Around Minnesota: Lakes and Waterfalls” on Jan 26.
A cure for cabin fever. Photograph by J. Grammond.
The event costs $20, but scholarships are available. For more information and to registers click here.
The Grand Marais Playhouse announced this week that the One-Act Play performance dates have been postponed until late February. The group of actors who gathered on Monday have decided to look for more shows. The One-Act(s) will be directed by Rose Arrowsmith. It is still possible to sign-up to perform. A stage manager and lightboard operator and sound person are also needed. All participants must be vaccinated to the highest level they can be and masks are mandatory during rehearsals. The participation fee is $100. Scholarships are available. For more information, contact Sue Hennessy at sue@grandmaraisplayhouse.com
The Grand Marais Public Library is distributing Create a Comic Take and Make kits created by Duluth author and illustrator Chris Monroe. The kits are geared toward third graders on up to adults.
Duluth author and illustrator Chris Monroe’s Comic Take and Make kits are available through the Grand Marais Public Library.
In the kits, participants create their own wacky characters using draw-along instructions to determine the character’s looks, style, emotions, and ability to take a fall. They then insert the characters into a comic strip using the cartoon-panel pages and felt tip pen provided. For more information, contact the library at 387-1140 or visit online here.
The Grand Marais Art Colony is offering a great selection of online/virtual demonstrations this spring. The series is entitled Artistic Appetizers. To learn more, click here.
The Duluth Art Institute is seeking teaching artists to lead workshops, classes, lectures, professional development opportunities, and more.
Beyond being a catalyst for positive growth in the community, teaching can be a great professional opportunity for artists looking to branch out and share their knowledge and skills. For more information, visit duluthartinstitute.org/Teach to fill out a proposal form. Email completed forms and inquiries to espooner@duluthartinstitute.org.
A little further afield, Hyperallergic, an online art site, puts out a monthly Opportunities Listings to provide a resource to artists and creatives looking for grants and paid gigs to further their work.
As the arts sector navigates the coronavirus pandemic, these paid opportunities for independent artists and cultural organizations are more important now than ever.
Carl Gaertner, “The Pie Wagon” (c. 1926), oil on canvas; unframed: 41 5/8 inches x 60 1/4 inches (image courtesy the Cleveland Museum of Art, gift of Mrs. Carl Gaertner/Open Access)
Opportunities in the list include grants, opens calls, commissions, residencies, fellowships and more. To find out more, click here.
Artists at Work:
Pete Larson with an 80-pound fossil from Black Hills Institute of Geologic Research in Hill City in South Dakota. Photograph by Layne Kennedy.
Poinsettia, acrylic , by Kathy Fox Weinberg.
Embroidery by Kim Knutson. The piece is at the North Country Gallery in Lutsen.
Quilt top by Kristofer Bowman.
Siena, a 10th grader at ISD 166, works on her self-portrait.
All of a sudden, color kicks orange out of the bed and a new peace descends, Photograph by Mary Beams.
An Experience:
Online Findings:
Elena Karneeva: Shoots Kids With Animals In A Most Unbelievable Way.To see her photographs, click here.
Check out this huge archive of drawings of the complex root systems of plants:
Here’s an interesting illustrated story: “Fatal Victorian Fashion and the Allure of the Poison Garment.
Fashion Victims. Illustration from the article Fatal Victorian Fashion. To read the article, click here.
Video: Grizzly Bears Saved My Life:
Online Music:
Live Music:
Thursday, Jan. 13
- Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille, 4 p.m
- Fred Anderson, Date Night at the Winery, North Shore Winery, 6 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 14:
- Gene LaFond, Mogul’s Grille, 4 p.m.
Photographs:
We were lucky again this week. Here’s a selection of what we found:
Wildlife:
A Snowy at sunset by Hayes Scriven.
Bohemian waxwings by Bill Marchell.
They walk among us by Debbie Benedict.
Here comes the boss by John Alexander Kay.
Which way do we go, anyway? Photo by Bill Marchel.
This one probably fits in the wildlife category.
Surfing the Big Lake by John Keefover.
Landscapes, Skyscapes, Icescapes & Boatscapes:
The Edgar R. Speer entering Duluth at sub-zero temps by Jeffrey Doty.
The quiet beauty of hoarfrost by Rosanne Distad.
Ice sculptures by Paul Sundberg.
Surf’s Up by James Joerke.
The bench by Don Davison.
River in winter by Bryan Hansel.
Black Beach sea fog by Roger Nordstrom.
At -12F by Ron Benson.
Ice creature by Jeffrey Doty.
Lake Superior ice by Andy Keith.
Lake Superior ice siren by Ron Benson.
The air might be crisp this morning but the corduroy is crisper. Photograph courtesy of Golden Eagle Lodge.
The beauty of cold and ice by Patty Doherty.
Sea smoke and sea stacks at sunrise by Ken Harmon.
Peace to all. Stay Safe.
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