January ice riffs by Lake Superior by John Heino.
Greetings from the North Shore, where our January thaw is pretty obvious this year, especially by Lake Superior. That’s fine with us. It’s been warm and perfect weather to get outside and enjoy the snow. And it’s probably fair to also say that this is the time of the year when many local residents recharge from the busy summer and fall seasons, although that sure doesn’t apply to the West End, Lutsen Mountains and Papa Charlie’s where all the action is this time of year.
Indoors, there are a number of events and exhibits to enjoy this month.
First up is the community art exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post. Entitled, “Deep Winter Dreaming,” the community art exhibit organized by the Spirit of the Wilderness Episcopal Church, invited artists of every age to engage with the quiet of winter with all its muted beauty. Both professional and aspiring artists and crafters’ work is represented.
Shawl by Julie Arthur is one of the pieces in the Heritage Post exhibit.
Edge of the Harbor by Karen Neal.
Birth of Light by Michele Flynn.
The exhibit continues through Jan. 29. The Heritage Post is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. It is open from 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday through Saturday and from 1-4 pm Sundays. Free. Open to all.
For those who want to make a little art of their own this month, artist Janet Moore will be leading a watercolor class at Cascade Lodge on Saturday.
Lake Superior winter view, watercolor, by Janet Moore. Moore is teaching a painting class at Cascade Lodge on Saturday from 3-5 pm.
The class is entitled Winter Adventures in Watercolor and will be held from 3-5 pm in the main room at the lodge, offering stunning views of Lake Superior. All materials are provided for use during the class and all experience levels are welcome. The class is $40. Register here.
Next Friday, Jan.27, the Cook County Historical Society and the Johnson Heritage Post will host a Culture Crawl, offering the public an opportunity to explore both locations.
The Culture Crawl is from 5-7 pm on Friday, Jan 27.
Stop by either the Cook County History Museum at 8 Broadway Ave. or the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery at 115 W Wisconsin St. to begin the evening and pick up an event card. Each site will provide you with a sticker to place on your card, and a completed card can be exchanged for a free glass of beer, wine, or non-alcoholic beverage at the Gunflint Tavern, located at 111 W Wisconsin St. Completed event cards are only valid for the evening they are handed out, so don’t miss your chance to take advantage of this fun-filled culture tour.
This event is free, though all donations go toward supporting the Cook County Historical Society and our mission. Questions? Email jhp@boreal.org for more information.
On Sunday, Jan. 29, the 39th running of the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon begins at 10 am at Billy’s Bar in Duluth. All four categories for the race are full, with 17 mushers competing in the 300-mile marathon that ends at the Grand Portage Lodge and Casino.
A Beargrease racer by Mark Subiakika. File photo.
This is always a fun race to follow, whether live or virtual. A few great places to watch the marathon is at Trail Center, where there’s lots of action, and the Sawbill Trail mandatory rest stop, which is calm and serene as the mushers and dogs sleep. For lots more information about the race, the mushers, maps and more, click here.
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the annual Cook County Fireplace Tour opens, with opportunities to sit by beautiful fireplaces in various locations throughout the county.
Cook County Fireplace Tour is from Feb. 1 through Feb 28.
And finally, the Tettegouche State Park Visitor Center will host an opening reception for photographer Gordon Dietzman from 7 to 8:30 pm. on Friday, Feb 3.
Gordon Dietzman opens an exhibit in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park on Feb.3.
Dietzman has photographed nature for 40 years and has traveled extensively throughout North America, Southeast Asia, and his own backyard. His photography spans a wide range of wildlife including tiny insects to North America’s largest mammals. The exhibit continues through February.
Exhibits:
The People Behind Northern Nights, Starry Skies, presented by the Grand Portage National Monument at the Heritage Center continues through the end of this month. The exhibit features work by Grand Portage photographer, Travis Novitsky and painter Carl Gawboy.
Northern Nights, Starry Skies continues at the Grand Portage Heritage Center featuring the paintings of Carl Gawboy and the photographs of Travis Novitsky.
This exhibit is in conjunction with a PBS documentary, celebrating stars and dark sky places, Indigenous star knowledge, and stewardship of the night sky. The work of Carl Gawboy and Travis Novitsky are on display upstairs at the Heritage Center. The exhibit continues through Jan. 31.
The Duluth Art Institute has opened new exhibits for the winter season, including “Midwest,” prints by Laura Manney.
“Midwest” by Laura Manney is one of the exhibits on view at the Duluth Art Institute.
A new exhibit at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, NWO, NOW, features work by more than 60 Northwest Ontario artists.
Nuthatch, a woodcut by Brian Holden, is on view at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery in the NWO, NOW exhibit.
Upcoming:
Mark your calendars for Feb. 13-20, which is Fiber Week at North House Folk School.
Fiber Week is Feb. 13-20 at North House Folk School this year. Click here for more info.
The event features classes, demonstrations, speakers and public events. For more information and to register for classes, click here.
- Sunday, Jan, 22 | Open 10a-1pm Only
- Monday, Jan. 23 CLOSED
- Tuesday, Jan. 24 CLOSED
- Wednesday, Jan. 25 CLOSED
In Art Colony News:
Applications for the 32nd Annual Grand Marais Arts Festival are now open.
Grand Marais Arts Festival will be held July 8-9.
Artists of all mediums are invited to submit quality, original artwork for this juried art fair. The Grand Marais Arts Festival is a microcosm of the dynamic Midwest art scene. Nestled between the horizon line of Lake Superior and the wilderness of boreal forests and serene lakes, the Festival draws over 8,000 visitors. The Festival will return this year to the downtown corridor along Lake Superior. The art fair will be held July 8-9. The application deadline is Feb. 28. The notification date for applicants will be March 16. The application can be found here .
The Art Colony’s 2023 theme is AIR — OPENNESS. The Art Colony will explore this theme through a variety of classes, its summer exhibition, and other events.
Winter buffet, watercolor, by Mary Petersen.
Waawaashkeshiinh gaa-zhaabaakwabatooc, Runs Through Woods Like Deer by Sam Zimmerman.
Bathed in Sunday by Mary Beams.
Outdoor observations by Larry Weber is aired on WTIP every Saturday at 9:30 am. Illustration by Stan Fellows.
Personal by Adam Swanson.
Online Findings:
Carl Hansen and Chester Floyd opened for a Trampled by Turtles concert in Atlanta, GA.
Carl Hansen is a videographer based in Bozeman, Mont. who grew up here in Cook County. His family has long owned Sawbill Canoe Outfitters and he graduated from Cook County High School. A part-time musician accomplished on drums and bass, he calls into the Scenic Route with Will Moore to talk about how his job, along with a wild set of circumstances, led to him and his friend Chester Floyd playing their first gig together opening for bluegrass band Trampled By Turtles at a large venue in Atlanta, GA. Carl’s story is a must-listen for fans of the famed Duluth-based band and local music lovers alike. Listen to it here.
The Good Harbor Hill Players’ Winter Solstice Shadow Puppet Play was on the Solstice. Here’s a video by Bear Witness Media, in case you couldn’t go.
Will Moore interviewed Gregg McVicar recently about his retirement from producing UnderCurrents, a popular nationwide radio show.
Gregg McVicar and Gabriella of UnderCurrents, which is aired on WTIP most afternoons from 1-3 pm and from midnight to 6 pm most evenings.
To listen to this great interview, click here.
Here’s a story about a Viking woman who sailed to America and walked to Rome.
The amazing life of “Gudrid the Far-Traveled”.
To read the Viking woman’s story, click here.
Alison Kinnaird with two of her pieces at her home in England. She was an art school reject. To read her story and see more photos, click here.
Online Music:
Live Music:
Thursday, Jan. 19:
- Timmy Haus, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 4-6 pm
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6-9 pm
Friday, Jan. 20:
- Jim McGowan, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 4-6 pm
- Joe Paulik, Bluefin Grille, 7-9 pm
Saturday, Jan. 21:
- Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9-11:30 pm
Monday, Jan. 23:
- Jim McGowan, Bluefin Grille, 7-9 pm
Tuesday, Jan. 24:
- Eric Frost, North Shore Winery, 4:30-6:30 pm
Thursday, Jan. 26:
- Timmy Haus, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 4-6 pm
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6-9 pm
Friday, Jan. 27:
- Jim Miller, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 4-6 pm
- Southpaws Duo, Bluefin Grille, 7-9 pm
Saturday, Jan. 28:
- Timmy Haus, Papa Charlie’s, 9-11:30 pm
Monday, Jan. 30:
- Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 7-9 pm
Tuesday, Jan. 31:
- Eric Frost, North Shore Winery, 4:30-6:30 pm
Thursday, Feb. 2:
- Timmy Haus, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 4-6 pm
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6-9 pm
Photographs:
We lucked out again this week and found some great photographs. Take a look:
Wildlife:
Blue Jay by Josh Romaker.
Spruce Grouse by Christian Dalbec.
Snow-covered by Katie Mumm.
An Eastern Towhee in Tofte by Thomas Spence.
Moose crossing! By Katie Mumm.
Chilly by Christian Dalbec.
Snowshoe by Jim Brandenburg.
You never know what you’ll find in the early morning by Thomas Spence.
One of those days. Photographer unknown.
A winter weasel by Paul Sundberg.
A mama’s kiss. Photographer unknown.
Potpourri:
Magic everywhere after a snowstorm by Layne Kennedy.
Snow muffins by Maryl Skinner.
Happy New Year, friends by Ian Andrus at Creaking Tree Farm.
Ice fog magic by Kristofer Bowman.
Deliciousness by High Mowing Organic Seeds.
Cuddles by Ilena Hansel.
Landscapes, Skyscapes, Winterscapes, and Waterscapes:
Winter sunset by Mark Tessier.
Winter storm by Jim Brandenburg.
Cliff face by Mark Tessier.
Frozen falls on the Devil Track River by Andy Keith.
Lake Superior cave by Matthias Mullin.
Duluth harbor at night by Scott Bjorklund.
Winter island by Ken Harmon.
Winter Moon Dog over pines by Layne Kennedy.
A deer broke trail for me today by Adam Swanson.
The full Wolf Moon over Grand Marais.
Sunrise waves by David Johnson.
The Wolf Moon by Paul Sundberg.
Snow by Kathy Vanderwall.
Frosty morning by David Johnson.
Stoney Point sub-zero sunrise by Jeffrey Doty.
A peaceful morning watching Lake Superior by Dominic Ricci.
Magnetic Rock courtesy of the Gunflint Trail Association.
Another view of Split Rock by Nicholas Narog.
Pretty slick sunrise by Brian Johnson.
Snowshoe highway by Alisa Berns.
A happy sunrise by Kristofer Bowman.
Washington Pines by Paul Sundberg.
Sunrise on Superior by Bryan Hansel.
Can’t find my skates by Jim McGowan.
Yesterday by Kristofer Bowman.
Sunset over Lake Superior by Bryan Hansel.
Have a great weekend everyone!
We continue to accept donations to NorthShore ArtScene. If you like this blog and want to support it, please do. Just click on the icon below or send a check to NorthShore ArtScene, PO Box 1232, Grand Marais, MN, 55604. And Thank You!
A special Thank You goes out to all our contributors and supporters who were extra-generous with their year-end donations. And Thank You to the artists and arts organizations that make this blog possible. I am also grateful and thankful for the behind-the-scene volunteers for live music listings, music videos, corrections, proofreading, and technical support. They include Jeremy Lopez, Yvonne Mills and Kari Carter. Thank you!
The next issue of NorthShore ArtScene comes out on Feb. 2. See you then!
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