America the Beautiful by Chuck Olsen.
Greetings from the North Shore where this weekend will be totally packed with fun things to do and see. More on this later.
Meanwhile, the Northwoods is such an inspiring place, and summer is certainly one of our premier times. Chuck Olsen’s photograph, above, says a lot, but I was also tempted to lead with this photo from Michael Furtman– it is so beautiful.
Long-necked duck hen with brood (Aythya collaris) by Michael Furtman.
New life is so inspiring, and, in many ways, the events this weekend celebrate that. Artists, musicians, authors and more are offering up new this weekend.
First up, Art Night at Joy and Company. The “new” in this event is the fact that participants will be able to try their hand at plein air painting on Artist’s Point with Dan Olson and Rachel Rae.
Roughed in painting by Dan Olson. He and Rachel Rae will lead a plein air painting session on Artist’s Point on Thursday.
Participants will meet at Joy and Company at 3:30 pm and walk to the Point, where they will set up and paint what they see. Plein air kits will be available for purchase, but participants can bring their own oil paints or sketch books if they wish. The plein air session will continue through 6 pm. Free, with a suggested $5 donation.
New at Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center — Dark Sky Pano Shows every Thursday starting at 3 pm.
Chik-Wauk will hold Dark Sky Pano Shows on Thursday afternoons..
The Chik-Wauk staff will show photographs of the night sky visitors and travel the cosmos from inside Chik-Wauk Nature Center. The showings start at 3 pm and run every 20 minutes until 4 pm.
The showings are free and open to the public. Donations are always appreciated.
Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center is located 55 miles up the Gunflint Trail National Scenic Byway (Cook County Highway 12), 1/4 mile off of UT Cty Rd 81 on beautiful Saganaga Lake.
Also on Thursday, the Grand Marais Farmer’s Market will be held in the parking lot of the Community Center starting at 4:30 pm.
The Grand Marais Farmer’s Market is held in the parking lot of the Cook County Community Center from 4:30-6 pm on Thursdays.
The Farmer’s Market is a great place to find locally grown produce as well as baked goods, fresh flowers, fresh quail eggs, Kimchi, balms and more. SNAP is accepted. Open to all.
The market supports and encourages a sustainable local food system and is operated as a partnership between the Northwoods Food Project (a 501c3 non-profit organization), the Cook County Community Center, and Cook County U of MN Extension. Local farmers and food producers gather to offer their produce and goods to the community each week. The market is a vibrant, family friendly place to shop.
On Friday, visit the Bally Blacksmith and Metal Shops and step back in time.
The Bally Blacksmith and Metal Shops will be open from 1-4 pm Friday. Historic photo courtesy of Historic Cook County.
They once housed three generations of Bally family blacksmiths and witnessed the economic progression of the area from 1911-2009. There will be demos of techniques used with metal from 1-4 pm. Open to the public. Free. The Bally Shops are located across from the Cook County Co-op.
Saturday is a busy day.
First up is the Grand Marais Arts Festival, which will feature artists in every media exhibiting their work in 60 booths in downtown Grand Marais.
Here is what you can look forward to during the Grand Marais Arts Festival July 13-14.
Look for painters, photographers, printmakers, potters, fabric artists, collage artists, metal artists, glass artists, wood artists, jewelers, and rock artists, just to name a few.
White tents, art and art fans are featured at the Grand Marais Arts Festival July 13-14.
There is always lots of pottery to choose from at the Arts Festival.
Glass artists exhibit interesting work at the Arts Festival.
There are lots of other activities planned for the event as well. Harbor Park will host entertainment and live music. Rose Arrowsmith will tell Scandinavian tales and live music will be performed by Emma Tweten, Mark Zierath, Fred Anderson & Ben Obinger, Neil Pederson & Chandler Litterst, Zahir Orest, AbbyZak LeGare (Ginger Bones), and Dre, AKA Jamaican.
Mila Horak will be doing a watercolor-painting-on-postcards art activity for youth and adults by the harbor during the festival and the Bad Seed Food Truck will be parked in Harbor Park as well. Crosby Bakery will have cookies and more at the Grand Marais Art Colony Booth and WTIP Radio (90.7 FM) will be interviewing artists live on Saturday morning.
The Art Festival is open from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and from 10 am to 4 pm on Sunday. The public is invited. If you would like to find out more,including about the 60 artists who will be there, click here.
Also on Saturday morning, the Cook County Market opens at 10 am in the parking lot of The Hub.
The Cook County Market is open from 10 am to 2 pm in the parking lot of The Hub.
The market, which features a wide variety of work by local artists includes pottery, paintings, jewelry leather work, knit hats and scarves, glass, handmade balms, local Superior rocks and more. Sometimes there are dandelion shortbread cookies made by our favorite 10-year-old artist and, if we’re lucky, there’s usually a de facto dog parade around noon.
New this week: baked goods by Karissa Tofte of Cedar Sweets. She makes the desserts for the Angry Trout, so her offerings are bound to be delicious.
The market is free and open to all.
Also on Saturday, Lutsen Lutheran’s Annual Rummage Sale will take place from 9 am – 2 pm at the church in Lutsen.
Lutsen Lutheran’s Annual Rummage Sale is Saturday.
Look for housewares, furniture, tools, Toys, sporting gear, locally-made crafts & baked goods, a silent auction, a boat with motor and trailer and at least one canoe. Hot dogs and caramel rolls will be available.
Proceeds will benefit North Point Youth Center in Grand Marais, Care Partners of Cook County, and Lutsen Lutheran Church. (If you’d like to donate items to sell, drop-off times are July 9-12. No clothing, electronics, books, headboards, cribs, car seats, or holiday items will be accepted. For further information, please call Sharon at 218-391-3580 or Louise at 218-370-8900.)
At noon on Saturday, there will be a Haiku Poetry Reading and Workshop at the Grand Marais Public Library.
Poet Sandra Hisakuni will read from The Northland Beckons, her book of haiku about the Boundary Waters, at the Library on Saturday starting at 12;30 pm..
Poet Sandra Hisakuni will read from her book of haiku, The Northland Beckons, revealing her inspiration from both Japan and the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, as well as proclaiming the power of haiku to create profound connection and lasting memories. Her daughter, Sofia Hisakuni, illustrated her book and will be available via live-stream to talk about the artwork that accompanies each haiku.
Sandra will present her approach to using figurative language and sound devices when composing her haiku. Additionally, she will teach how to write a haiku and guide participants through the process of writing their own haiku and illustrating them. There will even be an opportunity for participants to share their haiku if they like.
The event will run from 12:30-2 pm. Free and open to the public.
On Saturday afternoon, the West End Garden Club’s annual flower show will be held at the Waves of Superior Cafe from 1-5 pm.
The West End Garden Club’s flower show is this Saturday from 1-5 pm.
This year’s theme is “Garden Party” and will feature a great selection of bouquets from club members’ gardens.Open to all. Refreshments will be served.
Drury Lane Books will hold an Author Talk with best-selling author Leif Enger from 6-7 pm on Saturday. A booksigning will follow.
Leif Enger will give an Author Talk at Drury Lane Books on Saturday.
Enger will talk about his new novel, I Cheerfully Refuse.
The event is free and open to the public.
And last, but not least, singer/songwriter, Ray Bonneville will be in concert at the Arrowhead Center for the Arts at 7 pm on Saturday night.
Singer songwriter Ray Bonneville will play at the ACA on Saturday.
Bonneville, who is originally from Quebec but grew up in Boston, has been touring for years. Here’s an example of one of his songs:
Further afiewld. it’s Bay Day in Silver Bay this weekend. The two-day festival features arts and crafts booths, live music, games, food and more. Local potter Kari Carter will be exhibiting there.
Potter Kari Carter will be at Bay Days in Silver Bay this weekend.
To find out more about Bay Days, click here.
Another local artist, Nancy Seaton, will be traveling to a festival this weekend, too. She will be exhibiting her work at the Wine Meets Art Festival at the St. Croix Vineyards in Stillwater.
Fused glass plates by Nancy Seaton.
Seaton is a fused glass artist and is the co-owner of Hungry Jack Outfitters on the Gunflint Trail.
The festival is Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm and features food and wine and live music. Free and open to the public. To find out more about the festival, click here.
On Sunday, there will be an Open House in the studios above Betsy Bowen’s Gallery from noon to 4 pm. There are five studios in the space. Four of them are currently occupied by artisans in North House Folk School’s Artisans in Residence program: Mary Tripoli, wood working; Tara Austin, rosemaling; Caroline Feyling, weaving, and Liz O’Brian, fiber arts, natural dyeing.
Hand-carved spoon by Mary Tripoli.
One of Tara Austin’s Dala horses.
Caroline Feyling weaving samples.
Liz O’Brian used natural dyes for this yarn, including lupine, which results in the lime green color you see.
The Northern Lights Pottery Group, which includes Ann Ward, Bob Tamanaha and Joan Farnam, also has space on the second floor of Bowen’s Studio Gallery.
Northern Lights Pottery Group will hold an Open House at their studio above Betsy Bowen’s Gallery on Sunday.
They will also be there during the Open House. The public is invited.
Next Wednesday, head up the Trail for the annual Gunflint Trail Canoe Races held on the lake at Gunflint Lodge.
The Gunflint Trail Canoe Races are Wednesday, July 17. Photo furnished.
The canoe races are an incredibly popular community event with food, arts and crafts, raffles and canoe races of every variety.
The event begins at 4:30 pm on the south shore of Gunflint Lake, at the Gunflint Lodge harbor. Watch teams from Gunflint Trail outfitters compete for the Trail Cup Trophy and enjoy food served by the Gunflint Lodge culinary team.
The underlying mission of the Races is to support the efforts of the Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department (GTFD) while bringing together residents and visitors to the Trail for an evening of Northwoods-style fun. Benefit raffle tickets and a limited number of T-shirts will be available at the races. All funds raised go toward supporting the Fire Department. The public is invited.
Exhibits:
Embodying the North Shore, an exhibition of work by well-known North Shore artists continues at Studio 21.
Batik by Jan Sivertson, 1982, is one of the pieces in the Embodying the North Shore exhibition at Studio 21.
Thanks to the Gene and Bonnie Martz estate, the Grand Marais Art Colony has been gifted an in-depth body of artwork that solidly embodies and reflects the North Shore landscape, created by this group of North Shore artists.
The exhibit includes works by: Betsy Bowen, Jim Brandenburg, Dave Gilsvik, Keith Havens, Gene Martz, Lee and Dan Ross, Elaine Sivertson, Howard Sivertson, Liz Sivertson and Jan Sivertson.
The exhibit continues through Aug. 31. Studio 21 is open from 10 am to 4 pm Thursdays through Saturdays. Free.
At the Gallery Store at Studio 21, photographer Mary Stafford is exhibiting a series of photographs entitled “Grace in the Garden.”
Lily by Mary Stafford from her “Grace in the Garden” exhibit.
The exhibit continues through the month of July.
This is the last weekend to see the Karen Nease exibit at the Johnson Heritage Post: Found Horizons: Imagined Topographies.
The Hill Between Two Lakes by Karen Nease.
The exhibit features a series of paintings by the artist who explores the relationships between the land and the water.
The Heritage Post is open from 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday trhough Saturday and from 1-4 pm Sunday. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Pastel artists Michelle Wegler and Cheryl LeClair-Sommer are exhibiting work in the Great Hall at Tettegouche State Park.
Flowing, pastel, by Michelle Wegler, is one of the works in the show.
Northern Meander, pastel, by Cheryl LeClair-Sommer.
The exhibit continues through the end of July.
The Member Show continues at the Duluth Art Institute‘s gallery in the US Bank Building in downtown Duluth.
The Member Show has opened at the Duluth Art Institute‘s new gallery space on the 4th Floor of the US Bank Building in downtown Duluth.
The multi-media exhibit features work by 130 member artists. Open to the public. Free. The gallery is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday.
Upcoming:
The Grand Marais Playhouse Summer Theater Festival features two plays this year: “I’ll Be Back Before Midnight and Curtain Up! are set to begin next weekend.
The Grand Marais Summer theater Festival is next weekend.
The plays are in repertory, with performances different nights. For more info, visit www.grandmaraisplayhouse.com and stay tuned.
The Lutsong Music Festival is at Caribou Highlands July 16-21 featuring a great selection of musicians, an arts and craft fair and more.
The Lutsong Music Festival on Ski Hill Road starts next Thursday.
Storyteller Shannon Crossbear will have a special event at the Hovland Town Hall July 21.
Shannon Crossbear will tell stories at the Hovland Town Hall on Sunday, July 21.
She will tell a compilation of stories of laughter and loss, pain and promise and and the importance of every remarkable life. The event starts at 2 pm. Free, but freewill donations will be accepted.
Artists at Work:
Red Pines, new hand-painted woodcut by Betsy Bowen, ready for the Arts Festival, Booth 32. The print will also be at her gallery..
“Beyond the Light” by Layne Kennedy has been published and is available for purchase. It includes outstanding photographs and stories about making them. For more info, click here,
Handmade knife by William Youmans. He will be at the Grand Marais Arts Festival this weekend
Self-portrait by photographer Christian Dalbec.
Lupine splendor by Tim Vahle. His gallery is open this weekend during the Art Festival. It is located at 11 Birch Alley, Suite 2.
Potter Jason Trebs is exhibiting work at the Gallery Store.
Mona Lisa barn painting, Photo by Layne Kennedy.
Online Findings:
Devil Track Wildflower Sanctuary Surrounds with Multiple Paths for Exploration
Story and photos by Jennifer Janasie at Boreal Community Media
Chris and Anne Hegg possess a palpable passion for restoring and maintaining the Devil Track Wildflower Sanctuary and its adjacent former Hedstrom Lumber mill site, both easily accessed a few miles up the Gunflint Trail on County Road 60 in Grand Marais.
Chris and Anne Hegg Photo by Jennifer Janasie.
The 2019 addition known as Fern Gully. Photo by Jennifer Janasie.
For more photos and rest of story, click here.
Online Music:
Live Music
Thursday, July 11:
- Pat Eliasen, Raven Rock Grill at Skyport Lodge, 6-8 pm
- Bump Blomberg, Gunflint Tavern’s Rooftop Bar, 6-9 pm
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6:30-8:30 pm
Friday, July 12:
- Pat Eliasen, Birch Terrace Supper Club, 6-8 pm
- Bump Blomberg, Moguls Grille and Tap Room, 7-9 pm
- The Thirsty River, Gunflint Tavern Raven’s Nest, 8:30-11:30 pm
- Josh Cleveland Band, Up Yonder, 8:30-11:30 pm
Saturday, July 13:
- Various Musical Acts, Grand Marais Arts Festival, 9-5 pm
- Fred Anderson & Will Moore, Cook County Saturday Market (Senior Center Parking Lot), 10 am
- Shore Thing, Tettegouche State Park Amphitheater, 6:30-8:30 pm
- Kenna Rose, Birch Terrace Supper Club, 5-8 pm
- Adam Moe, Bluefin Bay behind Bluefin Grille campfire on the beach, 6-9 pm
- Ray Bonneville, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7-9 pm
- Pete Kavanaugh, Moguls Grille and Tap Room, 7-9 pm
- Josh Cleveland Band, Gunflint Tavern’s Rooftop Bar, 8:30-11:30 pm
- The Thirsty River, Up Yonder, 9-11:55 pm
Sunday, July 14:
- Various Musical Acts, Grand Marais Arts Festival, 10-4 pm
- Medicine River, Gunflint Tavern Raven’s Nest, 3-6 pm
- Bump Blomberg, North Shore Winery, 3:30-5:30 pm
- Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille and Tap Room, 5-7 pm
- Joe Paulik, Gunflint Tavern Raven’s Nest, 6-9 pm
Tuesday, July 16:
- Eric Frost, North Shore Winery, 5-7 pm
- Joe Paulik, Bluefin Bay behind Bluefin Grille campfire on the beach, 6-9 pm
- Open Stage, Up Yonder, 6-9 pm
Wednesday, July 17:
- Joe Paulik, Gunflint Tavern Raven’s Nest, 6-9 pm
Thursday, July 18:
- Gordon Thorne and “The Interlopers”, The Clubhouse at Superior National Golf Course, 6-8 pm
- Bump Blomberg, Gunflint Tavern’s Rooftop Bar, 6-9 pm
- Lutsong Music Festival, Various Venues in Lutsen
- The Scarlet Goodbye Duo, North Shore Winery Stage, 6-6:45 pm
- Sarah Morris, North Shore Winery Stage, 7-8 pm
- North Shore Swing Band, Up Yonder, 7-9 pm
Friday, July 19:
- Lutsong Music Festival, Various Venues in Lutsen
- Stonebridge Singers, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 3:30-3:55 pm
- The Brothers Burn Mountain, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 4-4:45 pm
- Molly Maher’s Open Road, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 5-5:45 pm
- Alpha Consumer, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 6-6:50 pm
- Joe Pug, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 7:30-8:35 pm
- Caribou Campfire Guitar Pull, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 9-11 pm
- Medicine River Band, Birch Terrace Supper Club, 4-8 pm
- Rich Lewis Band, Up Yonder, 8:30-11:30 pm
Saturday, July 20:
- Briand Morrison, Cook County Saturday Market (Senior Center Parking Lot), 10 am
- Lutsong Music Festival, Various Venues in Lutsen
- Morning Hike and Concert with Sarah Morris, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 9:30-11 am
- Ryan Holweger, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 12-12:45 pm
- Ferris Wheel Moon, Caribou East Stage, 12:45-1:15 pm
- The Holy North, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 1:15-2 pm
- Haley E Rydell, Caribou East Stage, 2-2:30 pm
- Maygen and Birdwatcher Trio, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 2:30-3:15 pm
- Nikki Lemire, Caribou East Stage, 3:30-4 pm
- Laamar, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 4:15-5 pm
- Lutsong Community Jamalong, Caribou East Stage, 5-5:30 pm
- Clare Doyle, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 5:30-6:30 pm
- Ryan Necci & the Buffalo Gospel, North Shore Winery, 7:30-8:35 pm
- Metal/ Foundry Demo with Greg Mueller, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 9 pm
- Caribou Campfire Guitar Pull, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 9-11 pm
- Rich Lewis Band, Gunflint Tavern’s Rooftop Bar, 7-10 pm
Sunday, July 21
- Lutsong Music Festival, Various Venues in Lutsen
- Ben Suchy’s Folk Brunch, Caribou Highlands Tent Stage, 10-11:30 pm
- Rich Lewis Band, North Shore Winery, 3:30-5:30 pm
- Medicine River, Gunflint Tavern Raven’s Nest, 3-6 pm
- Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille and Tap Room, 5-7 pm
- Morning Bird, Raven Rock Grill at Skyport Lodge, 6-8 pm
Photographs:
Here is a selection of photographs found this week:
Wildlife:
Following Mom by David Johnson.
Getting the best ride. Photographer unknown.
Hello, Luna by Jim Boyd.
Lower Crab Spider attacking a fly taken at Hungry Jack Lake area by Dennis Chick.
Potpourri:
Eyelash Pixie Cup fungus by Chuck Olsen.
Happy Independence Day from Tofte (I can never remember what those little blue flowers are called) by Thomas Spence. (Hey Tom! They’re Forget-Me-Nots!)
Jessie gets to try the big camera. Photo by Paul Sundberg.
Fireworks, Landscapes & Waterscapes:
Grand Marais fireworks by Dennis Chick.
Grand Marais Fireworks by Paul Sundberg.
Zooming in on the fireworks by Dennis Chick.
Grand Marais fireworks 2024 by David Johnson.
Good night! by Michael Furtman.
Trees and water at sunset by Bryan Hansel.
Our Dark Skies by Bryan Hansel.
The morning’s natural fireworks by David Johnson.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Note: A donation toward the production of NorthShore ArtScene would be greatly appreciated. It takes hours of research as well as a lot of knowledge about what’s happening in the local community to put this together every week. A one-time donation would be great, and so would a sustaining contribution. It all makes a big difference. We’d love to hear from you.
A contribution also thanks those who help with ArtScene including Jeremy Lopez, Live Music schedule, tech advice; Yvonne Mills, proofreading; and Kari Carter, photo captions. Adam Hirsch recommended a music selection. We all appreciate your support. Thank you.
Just click on the icon below to contribute:
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