Aurora on the Gunflint Trail by David Johnson.
Greetings from the North Shore, where list-making is probably one of the activities we’re all doing a lot of these days with Christmas and Hannukah less than one week away.
The practical reality is that after the Winter Solstice on Saturday, the days will start getting longer as we march toward Spring.
Grand Marais Sunrise by Paul Sundberg.
It also means the next two weeks will be loaded with last-minute shopping, organizing, cooking, conversation, parties, and enjoying time with friends and family indoors or out.
This also means that things will be pretty quiet in Cook County.
But not too quiet. Here are some of the events coming up.
First, Joy and Company will hold a paper snowflower-making event during Art Night at the shop on Thursday from 3:30-5 pm.
Make paper snowflowers during Art Night this week at Joy and Company.
This is a great time to experiment with different colored papers and textures to make a perfect snowflower. The event is free. To register, click here.
Thursday, Dec. 19, is the last day to take a Modern Dance Class at the Log Building.
Drop-In Modern Dance classes will be held at the Log Building on Thursdays through Dec. 19.
The event is open to all levels and is held from 5:30-7 pm. Freewill donations are accepted.
Also on Thursday night, the North Shore Swing Band will play for Jazz Night at Up Yonder from 7-9 pm.
The North Shore Swing Band will be at Up Yonder on Thursday from 7-9 pm.
This is always a great evening of music–and dancing– at Up Yonder. Free and open to all.
Painter Charlotte Durie has a Pop-up Exhibit of her North Shore paintings at Betsy Bowen’s Studio Gallery. Meet and Greet the artist from noon to 2 pm on Saturday.
Into the Wilds, oil, by Charlotte Durie.
Durie currently lives in Wales, England, but has deep roots on the North Shore and visits often. The public is invited to see her paintings of a deeply loved place.
Saturday is the Winter Solstice and the Good Harbor Hill Players will present their iconic Winter Solstice Shadow Puppet Show outdoors at North House Folk School at 6 pm.
The Winter Solstice Shadow Puppet Play is on Saturday at 6 pm outdoors at North House Folk School.
The title of this year’s play is “Whoo Shall I Say is Calling?” and undoubtedly will feature a funny, wonderful plot, cool shadow puppets, and live music.
There will also be a bonfire, where participants can toss in their Gloomies so their worries can go up in smoke. The show will be followed by a community potluck indoors. The event is free, although goodwill donations are accepted. Open to everyone. Celebrate the Winter Solstice and the promise of longer days to come.
Wednesday is Christmas Day and Hanukkah. Joy to all!
A wild tree. It’s far from perfect. But then, so are we, by Michael Furtman.
There are plenty of opportunities to dine out during the holiday, too. Click here to see the options.
The week after Christmas, New Year’s parties will be held at several venues in the county. Here’s what we know so far:
The Grand Portage Lodge and Casino will hold a New Year’s Eve Party with the Sensational Hot Rods.
Cascade Restaurant and Pub will hold a celebration on New Year’s Eve.
Stay tuned.
Exhibits:
Kim Dayton’s exhibit at the Johnson Heritage Post, Celestial Navigation, continues through Dec. 29.
And the Stars Fell Down, acrylic, pastel, gesso by Kim Dayton.
The exhibit features an inspiring selection of her multi-media works as well as her photographs.
The Heritage Post is open from 10 am to 4 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays through Saturdays and from 1-4 pm Sundays. It will be closed on Christmas Day. Free and open to the public.
The Holiday Art Underground Show at Betsy Bowen’s Studio Gallery continues. It features a great selection of work by local and regional artists as well as Bowen’s woodcut prints, cards, and books as well as her 2025 Calendar.
Betsy Bowen has a new calendar for 2025. Click here to order:
The art exhibit in the hallways at North Shore Health continues.
Deep Wood Shadows, oil, by Paula Gustafson is currently on view at North Shore Health. She is exhibiting several small paintings there.
The Tweed Museum of Art is exhibiting a new video installation by Los Angeles-based artist Jennifer Steinkamp.
An image from From the Future, a video installation at the Tweed.
Steinkamp is a pioneer in the field of 3-D animation. The exhibit continues through March 14.
Opportunities:
North Shore Health has put out a Call for Artists to exhibit in the public spaces of the health complex starting Feb. 1.
North Shore Health has put out a call for art submissions.
For more information about the type of art required, deadlines, etc., email Todd Ford here.
Artists at Work:
Langur, ink on watercolor paper, by Ralph Keating.
I made this portrait out of Monopoly money in 2016. It aged well, by Staci Drouillard.
Movement Series in Blues 1 by Elizabeth Kuth.
Today was yellow with a little bit of red by Mary Beams.
Life on the line. I have thought about doing a photography project where I photograph laundry lines around the world. Photograph by Niko Lator.
Print by Robb Quisling. He and Jonathan Thunder exhibited their work in the show, Loaded, at the Kruk Gallery on the UWS campus recently.
Mixed medium, by Sue Rauschenfels, is part of her For the Love of Trees series.
Stone Road in Portugal by Layne Kennedy.
Online Findings:
Online Music:
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Live Music:
Thursday, December 19:
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6-8 pm
- North Shore Swing Band, Up Yonder, 7-9 pm
Friday, December 20:
- Joe Paulik, Bluefin Grille, 7-9 pm
Sunday, December 22:
- Boyd ‘Bump’ Blomberg, North Shore Winery, 3-5 pm
Tuesday, December 24:
- Eric Frost, North Shore Winery, 4:30-6:30 pm
- Open Stage hosted by Pete K, Up Yonder, 6-8 pm
Thursday, December 26:
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6-8 pm
Saturday, December 28:
- Unity DJ Black and White Party, Up Yonder, 8-11:55 pm
Sunday, December 29:
- Boyd ‘Bump’ Blomberg, North Shore Winery, 3-5 pm
Photographs:
Photographer Michael Furtman‘s Northwoods Wildlife Album:
Two of three Canada Lynx kittens near our cabin by Michael Furtman.
Northern Hawk Owl on alert by Michael Furtman.
Pine Marten (Martes americana) by Michael Furtman.
Male Pine Grosbeak by Michael Furtman.
Bull moose a few weeks ago not far from the cabin by Michael Furtman.
Short-tailed weasel by Michael Furtman.
Male Spruce Grouse by Michael Furtman.
The Pounce by Michael Furtman.
The Boreal Owl in snowfall by Michael Furtman.
Grumpy looking male Evening Grosbeak at the cabin by Michael Furtman.
Great Gray Owl by Michael Furtman.
Boreal chickadee by Michael Furtman.
Snowshoe Hare by Michael Furtman.
Grey wolf near the cabin by Michael Furtman. The alpha female is truly a neighbor these days, Furtman writes.
Here’s a foxy series by photographer Roxanne Distad
Foxy Shenanigans 1 by Roxanne Distad.
Foxy Shenanigans 2 by Roxanne Distad.
Foxy Shenanigans 3 by Roxanne Distad.
Foxy Shenanigans 4 by Roxanne Distad. The fox is eating the birdseed ball hung in the tree.
Here are some other wildlife photographs we found:
Boreal Owl by Paul Sundberg.
My favorite duo by Katie Slanga Photography.
Potpourri:
Window Frost by Paul Sundberg.
Bentleyville from a different perspective by Schauer Photography.
Santa Takes a Coffee Break, photograph by Mary Ellen Mark.
I guess even Santa needs a proofreader Photo courtesy of Annie Possis.
Don’t get caught out in the cold this year. Bunndle up by Matthew Pastick.
Minus -30 degrees F temperatures in northern Minnesota today by Layne Kennedy.
Landscapes, Waterscapes, Sunscapes & Harborscapes:
Sea Smoke by Paul Sundberg.
The sun adds a bit of color to the harbor and sea fog by Schauer Photography.
New fallen snow by Ken Harmon.
Winter Sky by Travis Novitsky.
Sea smoke gathering like ghosts on the Big Lake today by Lin Salisbury.
Blues and greys by Bruce Block.
The sea smoke behind the Grand Marais lighthouse by Bryan Hansel.
Sunset in Grand Marais by Chuck Olsen.
A little chilly this morning by David Johnson.
Winter beauty by Gary Arands.
On extremely cold days by Layne Kennedy.
Armstrong Lake at sunset by Paul Pluskwik.
Sea smoke sunrises are the best by Chuck Olsen.
A Winter’s Night by Sherry Phillips.
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Note: Welcome to the season of giving. If you would like to support ArtScene, click on the icon below. Your contributions make a big difference in keeping ArtScene alive and well. I received the 2025 Maddie Simons Arts Advocate Award from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council last week, an incredible honor. Your support helps me keep doing the work.
A special thank you goes out to Jeremy Lopez (Live Music schedule, tech advice, music suggestions), Yvonne Mills (proofreading), and Kari Carter (caption corrections.) And a big thank you to Visit Cook County for its awesome Events Calendar.
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