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An Art Opening, a Fireside Chat & Lots of Music

Hollow Rock at Sunrise by John Gregor.

Hollow Rock at Sunrise by John Gregor.

 

We can always look for great things to do in the middle of winter in Cook County. This weekend is no exception.

Wool and all things fiber are featured at the Northern Fibers Retreat this weekend.

Wool and all things fiber are featured at the Northern Fibers Retreat this weekend.

First up is the Northern Fibers Retreat, co-sponsored by North House Folk School, the Grand Marais Art Colony, and the Northwoods Fiber Guild.

Classes and workshops will be held throughout the weekend. To find out more and to register, visit www.northhouse.org and www.grandmaraisartcolony.org .

Community events include Lunch & Learn events at North House on Friday and Saturday. Registration is required for a catered lunch, although participants may bring their own.  The events are free. To sign-up, call 387-9762.

Laura Ricketts is the featured speaker this year. She will give a presentation entitled “The Sami and their Textiles” at North House Folk School at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Grand Marais Art Colony will host The Instructors Show in the Founders Hall, an exhibit of works by the Fibers Retreat instructors. The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. Friday. Refreshments will be served. All invited.

Bead paintings by Jo Wood, part of her No Place Like Home series.

Bead paintings by Jo Wood, part of her “No Place Like Home” series. Wood is one of the instructors who is exhibiting in the show.

The exhibit includes a fantastic variety of fiber work including felting, weaving, beadwork, cut paper art as well as pottery and more. The exhibit continues through Feb. 28.

Al Pacino plays Danny Collins.

Al Pacino plays Danny Collins.

Also on Friday, the Grand Marais Public Library continues it’s film series with the screening of “Danny Collins.” In the movie, an aging rocker (Al Pacino)  decides to change the course of his life after receiving a long-undelivered letter from the late John Lennon. To see the trailer, click here. The movie is free.

One of the highlights of the winter season is Sivertson Gallery‘s Fireside Chats.

“The Art of Story” featuring printmaker and illustrator Kari Vick and author Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux will give a “chat” at the gallery at 6 p.m. on Saturday.

"Moose in Boots," by Kari Vick.

“Moose in Boots,” by Kari Vick.

The women will talk about their book “The Sock Goblin” as well as their lives as artists and writers. Vick will be releasing several of her prints as well. All invited. Refreshments will be served.

The Menogyn Adventure Film Festival will be held at Lutsen Resort on Saturday from 7:30 to 10 p.m. The festival will feature adventure films and raffle prizes, celebrating human-powered exploration of the outdoors. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 kids.

In Duluth, the Duluth Art Institute will hold an opening reception for two new solo exhibits: “Public Domain: Photographs by Ken Bloom” and “Land of Wonder: New Work” by Shawna Gilmore.”

"Speaking with Bears" by Shawna Gilmore.

“Speaking with Bears” by Shawna Gilmore.

The exhibits continue through April 2.  Other exhibits at the Depot in Duluth include the 2016 Membership Exhibition and Emerging Photographers 2016. Both exhibits continue through Feb. 21.

In Thunder Bay, “For Better or Worse: The Comic Art of Lynn Johnston” continues at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

"For Better of Worse: The Comic Art of Lynn Johnston" continues at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

“For Better of Worse: The Comic Art of Lynn Johnston” is at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery.

The show will be up through March 6. Also on exhibit is “Unconstrained: Comic Art by Five Emerging Artists.” Also on view is “Garments of Everyday Life,” pieces selected from the gallery’s permanent colletion. This exhibit continues through March 27.

Three concurrent exhibits opened at Definitely Superior Art Gallery in Thunder Bay last weekend.

Painting by Boy Roland, one of the artists exhibiting at Definitely Superior Gallery in Thunder Bay.

Painting by Boy Roland, one of the artists exhibiting at Definitely Superior Gallery in Thunder Bay.

The exhibits include “Isolation/Insulation,” a collaborative exhibit of work by Scott Poluyko, Katie Lemieux and Susan Kachor Conlon; “Odeum,” an installation by boyRoland; and “Artists’ Proof,” a selection of prints from Lakehead University. The exhibits continue through March 5.

And not to forget, the Ely Winter Festival continues this weekend, with the Ely Artwalk, featuring 400 pieces by local and regional artists exhibiting in storefronts. The snow sculpture competition is not to be missed, either.  To learn more, click here.

Upcoming

  • The final Community Conversation for the season will be held at the Grand Marais Art Colony at noon Thursday, Feb. 18, featuring Lynn Speaker, who will talk about the Critical Response Critique Model. Free. All invited.
  • Rendezbrew 2016, a celebration of Voyageur Brewing Company’s first anniversary will feature a wide variety of bands on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19-20. Bands include: Timmy Haus, Pete Kavanaugh, Eric Frost & Friends, Gene LaFond and Amy Grillo, Heck Yeah Holler String Band, Jim & Michele Miller and the Plucked Up String Band. Stay tuned for details.
  • The Emerging Writers Grant Information Session with The Loft’s program director, Bao Phi will be held at the Grand Marais Art Colony at 1 p.m. Feb. 27. Bao will briefly discuss the $25,000 McKnight Fellowship for Writers as well as The Minnesota Emerging Writers’ Grant and other opportunities for Minnesota writers. Preregister with Bao at bphi@loft.org.
  • Alison Scott, a Minneapolis soul singer who regularly sells out at the Dakota Jazz Club, will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts March 12. The concert is sponsored by the North Shore Music Association.

In other art news, Sandi Pillsbury-Gredzens was awarded Best of Show and first in the oil/acrylic painting category in a show at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in St. Paul recently.

"Lake Superior Landscape:Spring in Castle Danger" by Sandi Pillsbury-Gredzens.

“Lake Superior Landscape:Spring in Castle Danger” by Sandi Pillsbury-Gredzens.

This annual show, called “Art and Community,” is up through April 8. Hazel Belvo was juror for the show.

Tim Young is taking a course through California College of the Arts called  “Comics: Art In Relationship.” The idea is to develop Young’s series, “The Adventures of Flash Meridian” into a graphic novel.

Flash Meridian by Tim Young.

Flash Meridian by Tim Young.

Sivertson Gallery is making prints of his paintings and they will be available on canvas and paper. He will have an exhibit at the Coho Cafe in Tofte March 31-May 31.

Here’s the music for this weekend:

Thursday, Feb. 11:

  • Boyd Blomberg, Moguls Grille, 3:30 p.m.
  • Gordon Thorne, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 12:

  • Joe Paulik, Moguls Grile, 3:30 p.m.
  • Rod & Caribou, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
  • Portage Band, American Legion, 6 p.m.
  • Pushing Chain, Bluefin Grille, 8 p.m.
  • TBA, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
  • Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13:

  • James Moors, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
  • Heck Yeah Holler String Band, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
  • Pete Kavanaugh, Papa Charlie’s, 6:5 p.m.
  • Jim & Michelle Miller, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7 p.m.
  • Joe Paulik, Lutsen Resort, 7 p.m.
  • TBA, Gun Flint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
  • Step Rockets, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 14:

  • Shane Martin, Papa Charlie’s, 3:15 p.m.
  • Yvonne Caruthers, classical cello, Bluefin Bay, 6 p.m.
  • Brian Morrison, Papa Charlie’s, 6:45 p.m.
  • Joe & Jessi, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7 p.m.
  • Plucked Up String Band, Lusten Resort, 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 15:

  • Briand Morrison, Moguls Grille, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 16:

  • Joshua Schmidt, Poplar River Pub, 6 p.m.
  • Open Mic Night with Eric Frost, Papa Charlie’s, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 17:

  • Sarah Krueger, Spotlight North, Papa Charlie’s, 8 p.m.

Here are some of the photos we found this week.

First up, wildlife!

Ghost of the Forest--Canadian Lynx by David Johnson.

Ghost of the Forest–Canadian Lynx by David Johnson.

 

Wolf Snoozing by Jeff Henningsgaard.

Wolf Snoozing by Jeff Henningsgaard.

 

In my yard by Sandra Updyke.

In my yard by Sandra Updyke.

Here’s a great shot that doesn’t really qualify as wildlife, but is wild, for sure.

Portrait of Jamie Rabold spinning by Brian Rauvola.

Portrait of Jamie Rabold spinning by Brian Rauvola.

 

We found some great landscape shots, too.

Cool Yellow Sunrise This Morning by David Johnson.

Cool Yellow Sunrise This Morning by David Johnson.

 

Lake Superior-- your Superior View by Christian Dalbec.

Lake Superior– your Superior View by Christian Dalbec.

 

Crescent Moon, the Island and Lake Superior by Bryan Hansel.

Crescent Moon, the Island and Lake Superior by Bryan Hansel.

 

Kjersti Vick took this evocative shot of the ski lifts on Lutsen Mountains the other day.

Happy Sunday on Lutsen Mountains.

Happy Sunday on Lutsen Mountains.

 

And, in Duluth, a not so snowy day.

Marcie Crain calls this: Raindrops on bridges early  this morning in Canal Park. She shot this on Feb. 7.

Marcie Crain calls this: Raindrops on bridges early this morning in Canal Park. She shot this photo on Feb. 7.

 

And with lots of wet snow, then warm weather, snowmen often look like this great character.

"Happy Friday!" by Bryan Hansel.

“Happy Friday!” by Bryan Hansel.

 

And here, to celebrate new life…

Jess Smith took this incredible photograph of Danielle Fortin and her new daughter. Enjoy!

Jess Smith (Oullis Photography) took this photograph of Danielle Fortin and her newborn daughter, Ella. Enjoy!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

 

 

 

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