Grand Marais in its summer glory. This aerial panoramic was “stitched” together from a number off different aerial photographs by Bryan Hansel. Enjoy!
Here’s to the last weekend in August! Perfect weather, art opportunities, art openings, author talks and lots of live music fill this weekend, as we look ahead to an art-packed September.
First up are our trusty Arrowhead Sketchers, who have been meeting every Thursday afternoon this summer at various locations to sketch, draw and paint what they see. Everyone is welcome to join in. This week, they will meet at the Cascade River parking area on the lakeside of Hwy. 61 to sketch the river, Lake Superior or the historic, stone buildings of Cascade Lodge. They will gather at 5:30 p.m. and sketch until 7 p.m. and then come together and share sketches. If it rains, they will meet in the Cascade Lodge Pub & Restaurant. Stay tuned for examples of the sketches next week.
Learn about and paint migrating insects at Sugarloaf Cove on Friday.
On Friday, Sugarloaf Cove will offer “Rock Painting Insects” from 1-3 p.m. with Sandy Danus and naturalist Margie Menzies. Participants will learn about migrating insects ( who’s a migrator, how far do they migrate, do they actually come back here to Northern Minnesota?) and then paint an insect on a rock. Bring a smooth, 4-6 inch rockand Danus will provide supplies and step-by-step cheerful instruction. Cost is $12 nonmember, $10. Sugarloaf Cove is located at 9096 Hwy. 61 in Schroeder, near the county line.
On Friday night, the Johnson Heritage Post opens a retrospective exhibition and sale of work by the late Ranier artist and teacher Genevieve “Gene” Ritchie Monahan. The exhibition features more than 70 painting in oil, and includes North Shore seascapes and landscapes, as well as the impressionistic portraits for which Monahan was best known.
Gene Monahan’s portrait of famed pianist Van Cliburn.
According to an article in the International Falls Journal, “Monahan earned many local, regional and national awards in a career spanning more than 60 years. Her work has been shown at the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Walker Art Center, among other venues, and is held in private and corporate collections in the U.S., Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan and New Zealand.”
The exhibit also includes many of her award winning works as well as marine paintings of boats and people along Lake Superior, Staten Island and other locales.
“LIfeline” by Gene Monahan.
The opening reception is from 5-7 p.m. Friday. All welcome. Refreshments will be served. The exhibit continues through Sept. 11.
Also on Friday, Steve Blexrud and the Thunderheads will talk about their music and play afew songs on WTIP’s The Roadhouse, which airs from 5-7 p.m. The musicians perform at the Gun Flint Tavern this weekend.
On Saturday, the Cook County Farm & Craft Market opens the day at 9 a.m. in the Senior Center Parking lot. The market features a wide variety of arts & crafts as well as baked goods and more.
Jeff Liljestrand is one of the artisans at the Cook County Farm & Craft Market.
Three authors are coming to town to talk about their books.
At 12:30 p.m., Saturday, author Andrea Thalasinos will speak at the Grand Marais Public Library. She has recently released her third book, “Fly By Night,” set on the North Shore.
Then at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Mary Casanova will present at a Writer’s Salon at Drury Lane Books. She will talk about her two new books, “Ice-Out” and “Wake Up, Island.”
Author Mary Casanova will talk about her latest books at Drury Lane Books on Saturday at 5 p.m.
And then next Wednesday, author Faith Sullivan, who is teaching a writer’s workshop at the Grand Marais Art Colony, will present at a Writer’s Salon at Drury Lane Books at 4:30 p.m.
Minnesota author Faith Sullivan will talk about writing and her books at a Writer’s Salon at Drury Lane Books on Wednesday, Aug. 31, at 4:30 p.m.
There are other cool things to see and do this Saturday, too.
At 1 p.m., Kathy Weinberg will give an oil painting demonstration at the Grand Marais Art Colony. Free and open to the public.
And there will be a Bronze Pour at Four at Last Chance Gallery in Lutsen. Bronze sculptor Tom Christiansen will be pouring his hummingbird series at 4 p.m. this Saturday. Aug. 27. All welcome.
“Hummer,” bronze, by Tom Christiansen. He will be pouring these hummers at 4 p.m. Saturday.
The Minnesota State Fair starts this week and Cook County will have great representation there.
First up is WTIP Community Radio, which will broadcast from the Fair from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 31. “Radio-on-a-Stick” will feature lots of interviews and music throughout the day. This is the second year that WTIP has broadcast at the Fair.
WTIP staff and volunteers at the Minn. State Fair last year included Ann Possis and Bob Carter, front, and Jeff Nimitz and Matthew Brown.
This year, WTIP program director Matthew Brown and station manager Deb Benedict will be there, as well as a number of volunteer hosts, including: Julie Carlson, Sherrie Lindskog, Mike Reeves, Ann Possis, and Bob Carter. WTIP engineer Jeff Nemitz will be on hand to take care of the technical details; and Visit Cook County director Linda Kratt and her team will also be on hand to meet and greet fair-goers with information about Cook County. They will be broadcasting from Ampers booths (#9 and 10), in the Education Building.
During the WTIP radio show, artist Michael Sweere, who exhibits at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais, will be interviewed. Sweere, a mosaic artist, created the Minnesota State Fair’s 2016 Commemorative Art piece this year. He crafted it out of colorful cardboard packaging.
The Minnesota State Fair’s 2016 Commemorative Art work created by Michael Sweere features Lucky the Llama with iconic images of the fair.
The original will be displayed at the Fine Arts Center through Labor Day. Posters are also available.
Two other local artists will be “working” at the Fair, too. Betsy Bowen and Neil Sherman.
Bowen is a featured author at the Fair and will be interviewed on WTIP during the show at the Fair next Wednesday, Aug. 31. She will be in the Alphabet Forest in Baldwin Park at the fair on Saturday, Sept. 3, demonstrating how to make bookmarks. She is bringing all kinds of printmaking materials with her for kids to use. They’ll be making bookmarks around the theme of ABC, which is the title of her popular children’s book: “Antler, Bear, Canoe: A Northwoods Alphabet.”
“Antler, Bear, Canoe” has been in print for 25 years.
“Antler, Bear, Canoe” celebrates its 25th year in print this fall. There will be a big extravaganza celebration at the Betsy Bowen Studio Gallery in Grand Marais Oct. 8. Stay tuned for details.
Also at the Fair, Neil Sherman will be the artist-in-residence in the Fine Arts Building at the fair from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4. He’ll be working on a couple of studio paintings as well as giving Artist Talks.
Neil Sherman will be working on developing a painting from his study of the Brule River when he is the artist-in-residence at the Minnesota State Fair Sept. 4.
Opportunities
Calling All Potters! Sivertson Gallery has put out a call for local potters (North Shore & Duluth) to consider submitting mugs for the “Behold the Mug” exhibit which will be held at Sivertson Gallery in Grand Marais and Siivis in Duluth Sept. 24.
Sivertson Gallery director, Abby Toftey writes: “Our aim with this event is to help customers find their “perfect mug” before the big winter chill sets in. Fresh coffee, donuts and cookies have been ordered, now all we need are the exquisite, locally made mugs!”
Show requirements include 8-20 mugs, which will distributed between the two galleries. The mugs must arrive by Monday, Sept. 19. A small bio with a photograph will be included with each potter’s display. To apply, send photographs and prices of your work to abby@sivertson.com.
Upcoming
The list of upcoming events in September is daunting. There are lots of fun things to do and see. Here’s what we know so far, and please, stay tuned for details.
Monroe Crossing, Arrowhead Center for the Arts, 7 p.m., Sept. 1. Concert includes appetizers from Alyce’s. Deadline to sign up for appetizers if Friday, Aug 26. To make reservations online, go to tix.com to get your Monroe Crossing tickets and at the end of the sale there will be an additional option to purchase a ticket for the food. Tickets are $25, $10 for appetizers.
Radio Waves Music Festival, Sept. 9-11, Sweetheart’s Bluff in the Grand Marais Rec Park. More than 30 musical acts under the Big Tent, on-site food, children’s tent & more. Tickets at the door: $10 per day, $20 weekend.
Plein Air Grand Marais, an outstanding plein air competition, show and sale organized by the Grand Marais Art Colony. Competition is Sept. 9-16, exhibit and sale at the Johnson Heritage Post Sept. 17-Nov. 13. Click here for more info.
Unplugged XV & Unplugged Folk Artisan Marketplace, Sept. 15-18. Concerts, Singer/Songwriter Circles, jamming sessions, public programs and workshops, demonstrations and more. For tickets, click here.
Lake Superior 20/20 Studio Art Tour, Sept. 23, 24 & 25. Tour branches out from Two Harbors. For more info, click here.
Crossing Borders Studio Tour & Sale, Sept. 23-Oct. 2, celebrating 20 years along the North Shore. Tour includes art studios along the North Shore from Duluth to Grand Portage. For more info, click here.
In other art news:
Author Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux, has organized a Grand Marais Writer’s Guild which meets each month in the meeting room at the Cook County Co-op. The next meeting is Monday, Sept. 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. All writers invited. Meanwhile, check out the Guild’s Facebook page where she posts story starter ideas frequently.
Here’s an example of a story starter that Rose Arrowsmith DeCoux posts on her Facebook page.
Other story starters posted recently include: “They found the box of wooden matches on the workbench in the old shed…” “The old man beckoned from the shadows. “Come here, Jonah. I have something …” and “If she didn’t know better– but she did.”
Gunflint author Tim McDonnell has come out with a new book: “The Contemplative Paddler’s Compansion.” Published by North Star Press, it can be found at Birchbark Books and Gifts.
This is Tim McDonnell’s second book. His book: “The Whole Forest for a Backyard.”
Kah-Nee-Tah Gallery has just received new antler baskets by
Antler basket by Cathryn Peters.
A new gallery has opened in Knife River on the Scenic Highway. It is called 47 Degrees and features a variety of local artists and artisans, including Kelly Dupre.
Kelly Dupre has artwork at the new gallery in Knife River, 47 degrees.
And finally, here’s a sign of the changing seasons. Sivertson Gallery has just received packets of holiday cards for 2016. The cards include artwork from favorite local and regional artists.
One of Rick Allen’s holiday cards.
Here’s the music schedule for this week:
Thursday, Aug. 25:
- Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire. Lutsen Resort, 6 p.m.
- Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers, Gunflint Tavern, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 26;
- Pushing Chain, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
- Portage, Grandma Ray’s, 6 p.m.
- Joe Paulik, Music by the Campfire, Eagle Ridge Resort, 7:30 p.m.
- Thunderheads, Gunflint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
- Angel Hair Rasta, Grandma Ray’s, 8:30 p.m.
- Jim Miller, Bluefin Grille, 9 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 27:
- Gene Lafond & Amy Grillo, Voyageur Brewing Co., 4 p.m.
- Axtel, Papa Charlie’s Deck, 6 p.m.
- Pete K., Sydney’s Frozen Custard, 6 p.m.
- Jim & Michelle Miller, 7 p.m. Lutsen Resort Lobby, 7 p.m.
- Billy Johnson, Cascade Lodge Pub, 7:30 p.m.
- Thunderheads, Gunflint Tavern, 8:30 p.m.
- Bughouse, Grandma Ray’s, 9 p.m.
- DJ Beavstar, Papa Charlie’s, 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 28:
- Billy Johnson Band, Mogul’s Grille, 5 p.m.
- Steve Blexrud, Gunflint Tavern, 7:30 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 29:
- Laney Jones and the Spirits, Monday Songwriter Series, Papa Charlie’s, 7:30 p.m.
- Eric Frost, Gunflint Tavern, 9 p.m.
Here are some of the photos we found this week.
The Tall Ship Festival was all over the news last weekend. Here’s a great photo of the Spanish galleon, one of the many Tall Ships that visited Duluth.
Photo by Patty Doherty.
Here’s a study in contrasts.
Peace:
“Out My Kitchen Window” by Martha Russell.
Aggression:
“Fear the bird,” by Thomas Demma.
Here’s a peaceful beauty by Paul Sundberg.
Grand Marais Waterfront by Paul Sundberg.
And another view of the harbor a little earlier in the evening.
“Currently Unfiltered-Home” by Sarah Jorgenson.
Studies of rocks:
“Rowboats-are-my-favorite-these-rocks-are-my favorite-these-lichens-are-my-favorite -this-lake-is-my-favorite” by Melissa Wickwire.
And the iconic rock on the North Shore:
Photo by Amy Peterson.
And inland waterways:
Full moon over the Cascade River by Travis Novitsky.
Magney State Park. Gauthier Creek by Tom Fiero.
And finally, this powerful photo of a mother and son.
“Tall Ships stir our imaginations,” posted by Erin Watson.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
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