Sunrise over Lake Superior and the Grand Marais Harbor by Bryan Hansel.
Greetings from the North Shore, where we are grateful that the heat dome that is embracing most of Minnesota this week is largely ignoring us. Instead, cool weather continues to dominate our days, setting us up for the coming fall. Not that everyone or everything is enjoying this. Our tomatoes, for example, would probably like that heat dome to get a little closer so they could finish ripening. Hope for the best on that front.
Meanwhile, the final days of August have arrived, with lots of things to do in Cook County, and, of course, the Minnesota State Fair is opening in Minneapolis this weekend.
Here in Grand Marais on Thursday, Joy and Company will hold Art Night, a weekly art-making event held at the shop to experiment with different art materials. This week participants will paint rocks.
Painting rocks is the activity for this week’s Art Night at Joy and Company.
Art Night is free, with a suggested donation, and will be held from 4-6 pm at the shop. Open to all.
Also on Thursday, the Grand Marais Farmer’s Market will be held in the parking lot of the Cook County Community Center from 4:30-6 pm.
It’s tomato time at the Grand Marais Farmer’s Market. Pictured is Ian Andrus of Creaking Tree Farm, one of the vendors at the market.
At the market, look for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, potatoes, and more, as well as localy harvested maple syrup, artisan bread, and baked goods, including gluten-free and more. SNAP accepted.
This is the week that the Pickup Truck Opera will be performing “Romeo and Juliet” in three locations in the county.
This modern adaptation of the beloved tragedy promises laughter, gorgeous bel canto melodies, and calamitous romance. This timeless tale of star-crossed lovers careening towards doom is tragically hopeful and hopefully tragic. Continuing Mixed Precipitation’s tradition of musical ingenuity, this production also features the music of Fleetwood Mac, the Fugees, and the Pixies – Star-crossed bands where passionate romance and feuds play out in their music.
Getting ready for the wedding. Pictured are Capellio, Juliet, the Chorus, and Lorenzo during the performance of the Pickup Truck Opera’s Romeo & Juliet.
All are welcome and nobody will be turned away for lack of funds. Tickets can be purchased beforehand, and are on a sliding scale according to your ability to pay. Click here for tickets and more information.
Here’s the schedule of performances:
On Friday, the opening reception for the new exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post, “Botanical Forays,” will be held from 5-7 pm.
A new exhibit entitled “Botanical Forays” opens at the Johnson Heritage Post on Friday from 5-7 pm.
The exhibit features works by Corrie Steckelberg, Cheryl Larsen and Jo Wood in a variety of media. Refreshments will be served. The exhibit continues through Sept. 17.
The Heritage Post is open from 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday through Sunday. It is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Free and open to the public.
Also on Friday, watercolor painter Andy Evansen will give a watercolor demonstration at Studio 21 from 5-6 pm.
North Shore watercolor, by Andy Evansen. The artist will give a watercolor demonstration at Studio 21 on Friday.
Evansen began painting as a change of pace from his career as a medical illustrator, and he is now recognized as one of the top watercolor artists in the country. He became a signature member of the prestigious Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA) in 2012 and served as president from 2015-2017. His paintings have won numerous awards, including the Bronze and High Winds Medals from the American Watercolor Society. The event is free and open to the public.
Saturday opens with the Cook County Market, which is held in the parking lot of The Hub, formerly the Senior Center, from 10 am to 2 pm.
Kim Knutson, who makes hand-crafted balms and lotions, is one of the vendors at the Cook County Market.
The market features work by local artists and artisans and includes pottery, paintings, woodworking, leatherwork, weaving, glass, Lake Superior stones, books, and more. Everyone is welcome.
This is the last Saturday to participate in the mini-class, Developing A Nature Sketchbook, at Studio 21.
A mini-class on sketching from nature will be held at Studio 21 on Saturday from 11 am to noon. Free and open to all.
The event is from 11 am to noon and offers participants the opportunity to learn how to develop a nature sketchbook and draw from nature. It is taught by Janet Moore and is free.
On Saturday evening, Drury Lane Books will host an Author Talk and Book Launch for Jennifer Shoals’ latest book, The Next World: Our Expanding Consciousness.
Drury Lane Books will hold a book launch for Jennifer Shoals’ latest book, The Next World: Our Expanding Consciousness, at 6 pm.
The book is the third in her series, Inspiring Deeper Connections. The collection shares a series of messages from spiritual teachers transmitted through channeled writing. In this book, the Teachers acknowledge that we are immersed in a time of change, a monumental shift in energy, and are urging us to actively participate in it. They are encouraging us to expand our consciousness and to live in harmony with ourselves, each other, and the planet. They are asking us to move to the next level of spiritual evolution.
Shoals will be at Drury Lane Books from 6-7 pm. All invited.
On Sunday, Cook County Higher Education will hold its 2nd annual Block Party with live music, refreshments, food, games, and more.
Cook County Higher Ed will hold its 2nd annual Block Party Aug 27.
The North Shore Community Swing Band will play. The party will be held on campus at 300 W. 3rd St. from 1-3 pm. Everyone invited. Family-friendly.
At 2 pm on Sunday, Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center will host a presentation by Sherry Abts, the “Ely Loon Ranger” and Minnesota DNR Loon Watcher Survey volunteer with a lifelong passion for loons. Thirty-five years as a public educator has taught Abts how to get people excited and interested in the natural world around them.
Shery Abts, the Loon Ranger, will give a presentation at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center on Sunday at 2 pm.
Abts will talk about her experiences watching loons and more on Sunday. The presentation is free and open to all.
And, for lots of outdoor activities planned for this weekend, click here.
Exhibits:
This is the last weekend to see Air – Openness, the Grand Marais Art Colony’s summer exhibition at Studio 21.
Air-Openness is on view at Studio 21 through Aug. 26.
This is also the last week to see works by landscape painter, Lonnie Broden in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.
Grand Marais, acrylic by Lonnie Broden, is one of the paintings currently on view at Tettegouche state Park.
Members of the Lake Superior Watercolor Society are exhibiting work at the Cedar Coffee Company in Two Harbors.
The Lake Superior Watercolor Society is exhibiting work at the Cedar Coffee Company in Two Harbors.
Artists include Kris Trembley, Anita Curtis, Chris Dillon, Sandy Maxwell, Sue Rauschenfels, Margie Helstrom, Edna Stromquist, Linnea Rose, Linda Gerga, Judy King, and Mary Peterson. The exhibit continues through October.
The Duluth Art Institute is featuring a variety of exhibits, including Matthew O’Reilly’s “Shed Self.”
Casting Credulity, clay, by Matthew O’Reilly. He is exhibiting at the Duluth Art Institute through Sept. 12.
The exhibit continues through Sept. 12.
At the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Wiigwas Manidoog/Descendants, works by Helen Pelletier, continues through Sept. 17.
Helen Pelletier with one of her baskets.
This is the first solo exhibition of works by Pelletier. Her etched baskets, objects, garments, and accessories express her relationship with Wiigwas or birchbark, and reflect the love she feels for the land.
Upcoming:
Music concerts next month:
The final line-up of performers at the 16th annual Radio Waves Music Festival, Sept. 8-10, has been released.
Twenty-two local, regional, and national acts will take the stage this year, including R&B legend John Ellison and The Carpenter Ants, who will perform a 90-minute gospel set on Sunday morning of the festival.
To see the complete list of performers, click here. Click here to order tickets.
The weekend after that, Sept. 14-17, North House Folk School’s Unplugged will be held at the Big Top on campus, featuring a wide variety of local and regional musicians, activities, and presentations.
Tickets are now on sale for Unplugged 2023 which will be held at North House Folk School Sept. 14-17.
Unplugged 2023 features two unforgettable nights of music on Thursday and Friday evenings, along with a free family concert on Saturday morning. Celebrate North House at the Birch Bark Bash on Saturday evening with a delicious meal by Chef Scott Graden of the New Scenic Café. The Points North Auction is also a feature of this event as is the Folk Artisan Marketplace and Speaker Series which are open to all. For more information about unplugged and tickets to the concerts, click here.
Other upcoming events:
Cook County Higher Education will hold a Royal Tea Talk Fundraiser on Sept. 6 at the Johnson Heritage Post. Dr. Karen Halbersleben returns after a two-year hiatus to regale us all with tales of current and past British Royal Family squabbles in “Royal Family Feuds: The Next Generation. When Warring Brothers Happen to be Royal Princes.”
A Royal Tea Fundraiser for Cook County Higher Education will be held at the Johnson Heritage Post Sept. 6 from 4:30-6:30 pm.
The event promises to be an evening of enjoyment and goodwill as the community comes together to support CCHE’s vision of inspiring, preparing, and empowering all individuals to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals to the benefit of all. For more information, click here.
The After-School Theater Club will be held again this year and will start Sept. 11. Scholarships are available.
Registration is now open for the After-School Theater Club.
For more information and to register, click here.
The Art Along the Lake Fall Studio Tour is set to begin on Sept. 22.
The Art Along the Lake Fall Studio Tour is from Sept. 22 – Oct. 1. Click here for more information:
This year’s event features 30 studios. many with guest artists. Gallery guides can be found at Visit Cook County and participating galleries. For more information, click here. And stay tuned.
North House Folk School will hold Hide Week the first week in October.
Hide Week Gathering Day, a public event at North House Folk School is Friday, Oct. 6. To read more about Hide Week, click here:
Artists at Work:
Summer Still Life by Ginny Sims. Sims was a resident artist in the Art Colony’s clay studio several years ago. She currently works and exhibits in Minneapolis.
The band, The Swongos, was featured on Will Moore’s show, The Scenic Route, on WTIP Radio Friday. It was a great show. Take a listen here.
Ship ladder coming soon to a Lutsen Mountain new-build. The ladder will provide access to a musician’s loft overlooking Lake Superior. Ladder by Greg Mueller.
Work in progress, Uppgaard, Solheim, Norway by Arna Rennan.
Not winter yet. White Pines on the Trail, black and white infrared. Photo by Bryan Hansel.
Leatherwork by Jamie Rabold.
Walking Onions, beadwork and felted wool by Jo Wood, one of the pieces that will be in the Johnson Heritage Post exhibit.
Online Findings:
Nibi Chronicles by Staci Drouillard: A Beaver Named Annabelle, Her Kin and Us
Amik/Beaver. Photo by Ryan Blaisdell.
To read the column, click here.
Here’s a photo essay about a muralist who creates lace patterns on buildings.
Delicate Lace Patterns Overlay Facades in Ornate Large-Scale Murals in European cities by Polish artist NeSpoon. Click here to see more.
28 Must-See Exhibitions Opening Across the United States This Fall
Bahsir(Robert Gowens)(1975) oil and acrylic on canvas, by Barkley L. Hendricks, is on exhibit at the Frick in New York. To see more examples, click here.
Online Music:
Live Music:
Thursday, Aug 24:
- Andrew Huber, Cascade Restaurant and Pub, 6-8 pm
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 7-9 pm
Friday, Aug 25:
- The Lost Marbles, Up Yonder, 8:30-11:55 pm
Saturday, Aug 26:
- Frozen Britches (Tom VanCleve & Eric Hahn), Senior Center Parking Lot, 10 am
- Eight Months Winter (8MW), Birch Terrace, 5-8 pm
- Portage, Colvill Town Hall, 7-9 pm
- DJ Birthday Gurl!, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 7-10 pm
- The Lost Marbles, Up Yonder, 8:30-11:55 pm
Sunday, Aug 27:
- Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 10-12 pm
- Joe Paulik, Raven’s Nest at Gunflint Tavern, 1-4 pm
- North Shore Swing Band, CCHE Block Party, 1-3 pm
- Don Bauer Duo, Harbor Park, 1:30-3 pm
- Mary Bue, North Shore Winery, 3:30-5:30 pm
- Mahon Brother’s, Skyport Lodge, 4-7 pm
- Sofa Kings, Tofte Town Park, 4-7 pm
- Jim Miller, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 5-7 pm
- Open Mic Hosted by Pete K, Up Yonder, 5-8 pm
Tuesday, Aug 29:
- Eric Frost, North Shore Winery, 5:30-7:30 pm
Wednesday, Aug 30:
- Pat Eliasen, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 4-6 pm
Thursday, Aug 31:
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 7-9 pm
Friday, Sept 1:
- Jim McGowan, Birch Terrace, 5-8 pm
- Dan Nelson Trio, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 7:30-9 pm
- The Federalies, Up Yonder on 61, 8-11:55 pm
Saturday, Sept 2:
- Frozen Britches (Tom VanCleve & Eric Hahn), Senior Center Parking Lot, 10 am
- Sky Blue Jazz, Cascade Restaurant and Pub, 6-8 pm
- DJ Birthday Gurl!, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 7-10 pm
- The Moss Piglets, Gunflint Tavern, 8-11:55 pm
- The Federalies, Up Yonder on 61, 8-11:55 pm
Sunday, Sept 3:
- Briand Morrison, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 10-12 pm
- North Shore Swing Band, Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center “Ice Cream Social”, 1-3pm
- Joe Paulik, Raven’s Nest at Gunflint Tavern, 1-4 pm
- Sugar on the Roof, North Shore Winery, 3:30-5:30 pm
- Michele Miller, Harbor Park, 5-6:30 pm
- Jim McGowan, Mogul’s Grille & Tap Room, 5-7 pm
- Open Mic Hosted by Pete K, Up Yonder, 5-8 pm
Photographs:
We found a lot of photos this week. Here’s a selection:
Breaking News:
Nortth House Folk School’s Yellow House was moved to a new location on Thursday, Aug. 24, to be used as a home for a Cook County resident. North House will build on the now vacant site. Photo by Matthew Brown.
Wildlife:
Canvasbacks on the Move by Michael Furtman.
Early Morning Stroll by David Johnson.
Frog on deck by Kent Jones.
Broad-winged Hawk waiting for lunch to appear by Michael Furtman.
Backyard borage and bees by John Jacobson.
An Osprey’s Tongue by Mark K. Smith.
Owlets. Photo courtesy of Birdsonearth.
Apple Hunting by Paula Sundet Wolf.
Got the OK from the new quality control officer! Man, I’m glad I bought a new bag of almonds today! Photo by Jamie Rabold.
Hummingbird in Summer by Paul Sundberg.
Flowerscapes & Plantscapes:
Summer Orchids by Bob LaMettry.
Lots of berries on the spikenard, Aralia racemosa, this year, by Betty Hemstad.
Happy World Photography Day by Roxanne Distad.
Spotted Touch-me-nots, harbingers of the end of summer by Annie Possis.
Wild aster in the morning by David Johnson.
Nodding Trillium seed pods by Betty Hemstad.
Potpourri:
Breaking News– A Smooth Move. Nortth House Folk School’s Yellow House is moved to a new location on Thursday, Aug. 24. Photo by Matthew Brown.
High Summer! by David Welch.
Leaving the hotel in Sancti Spiritus, Cuba by Layne Kennedy.
Smelting at Carlson Creek 1972. Photo by Sue Nichols.
Gang violence must stop, courtesy of dogsdoingthings.
Lake Superior First Responders on their way out for a rescue by Adam Bjornberg.
One of the oldest games. Photographer unknown.
Landscapes, Skyscapes, Waterscapes & Rockscapes:
The landscape of Artist’s Point by Layne Kennedy.
Kekabeka Falls, Thunder Bay by Lin Salisbury.
Lake Superior and the Northern Lights by Thomas Spence.
Slated for my 2024 calendar by Bryan Hansel.
The Boundary Waters in Fall by Ralph Nordstrom.
Sunrise on Brighton Beach by Ken Harmon.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
From jazz musician Wynton Marsalis: “The beauty of jazz is that there are so many great people that, at any given moment, can play something you never even thought of before. It’s like life. On any day, at any moment, a person can lift you up and show you another way to view the world.”
Sharing the inspirational beauty of life and art is one of the things that ArtScene tries to do. If this resonates with you, consider making a donation today. Just click on the button below or send a check to NorthShore ArtScene, PO Box 1232, Grand Marais, MN 55604.
Thank You!
Here are the people who make this blog possible: Myself, Joan Farnam, content & photographs; Jeremy Lopez, Live Music Schedule, proofreading, technical expertise, and some music videos; Yvonne Mills, proofreading and Kari Carter, caption corrections and research.
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