Towards the Canopy, linocut, hand-painted, by Gail Kellett.
Greetings from the North Shore, where Mourning Doves and American Goldfinches are flitting around our yards, tulips are beginning to bloom, and new artwork and exhibits are opening for the summer. Yay to June!
And art-making and art opportunities continue.
First up is the Art Counter Project at Joy and Company. The shop offers this art-making opportunity to the public every Thursday from 3-4:30 pm.
This week, participants will make paper fans and wheels.
Make paper fans at Joy and Company this week.
Open to all. Free, with a suggested $5 donation.
The Summer Solstice Pageant workshops have started, and the public is invited to help make the puppets and scenery for this year’s performance. It will be held at North House Folk School on June 20.
The pageant is produced by the Good Harbor Hill Players, a community-based, nonprofit puppet theatre company, performing and celebrating with the Grand Marais community since 1999.
The Summer Solstice Puppet workshops are held at the Cook County Community Center.
Make puppets and scenery for the Summer Solstice Pageant. Photo courtesy of the Good Harbor Hill Players.
The workshops are free and open to all, but an adult must accompany children.
Workshop times at the Community Center are:
- Thursdays & Fridays from 3 – 8 pm.
- Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am – 1 pm and 3 – 8 p.m.
For more information, click here. Questions? Email info@goodharborhillplayers.org
On Thursday evening, The Splints will play for a fundraiser for Care Partners at Up Yonder from 6:30-9 pm.
The Splints will play a benefit concert for Care Partners at Up Yonder on June 4.
Care Partners supports community members on the journey of aging and end-of-life. Help support a great cause. To find out more about Care Partners, click here.
The Splints are a six-piece dance band based in Grand Marais.
The Splints. Photo courtesy of the band.
The Splints are known for their vibrant vocal harmonies, colorful stage presence, and strong rhythmic grooves in the style of swing, zydeco, mambo, Celtic, polka, and rock. They are also known for crowding the dance floor with legions of enthusiastic dancers.
- Tickets available online at https://carepartnersofcookcounty.org/
- Tickets are also available at the Care Partners office – 615 E. Hwy. 61, Grand Marais.
- Limited availability at the door – $10 suggested donation
- Questions? 218-387-3788
Also on Thursday, the opening reception for the group show on lilacs will be held at Lake Superior Magazine’s offices at the Holiday Center in Duluth. The reception will be held from 4:30-6 pm.
The Lilac artists exhibit opens with a reception at the Lake Superior Magazine’s office in the Holiday Center.
Lilacs and Memories, mixed media, by Sue Pavlotos, is one of the paintings in the Lilac exhibit at the office of Lake Superior Magazine, second floor of the Holiday Center.
The art exhibit is part of the Lilac Lovefest weekend in Duluth. Click here to learn more.
On Friday, North House Folk School will present, Why We Burn Blueberries with Erik Carlson as part of its First Fridays series.
Blueberries thrive in burned-over areas. Why?
Join Carlson to learn about the reasoning behind managing blueberry habitat with prescribed fire. Erik will discuss how they manage this high-value resource with the application of research to the landscape.
Carlson, of Grand Portage, enjoys the outdoors: sugarbushing, gardening, fishing, gathering birch bark, cedar bark, and spruce root, and hunting grouse and deer. Erik has been working in Forestry, Wildfire Division for 26 years. Over this time, he has studied Fire Effects and Ecology as it influences the habitat of the North Shore.
Participants are invited to come down to the North House campus starting at 5:30 pm, gather around, and cook over an open fire as a community. Participants bring their own food; North House will provide the fire and the pointy sticks. Sausages to steaks, pudgie pies to home fries, it’s all welcome. The fire will be ready by 5:30, followed by the presentation starting at 7 pm.
Also on Friday, the opening reception of the June Artist of the Month at Tettegouche State Park will be held at 7 pm. Jean Kirwan is exhibiting her series of paintings, “The Underappreciated,” featuring the lesser-loved creatures of the Northwoods.
The Underappreciated, paintings by Jean Kirwan, opens at Tettegouche with a reception at 7 pm on June 5.
The works will be exhibited at Tettegouche through June. The public is invited to the reception.
On Saturday, the annual Gunflint Clean-Up will be held on the Gunflint Trail.
The Gunflint Clean-Up will be held on Saturday.
This is your chance to be a part of the community and make a difference. Sign up for a 1-mile portion along the Gunflint Trail and take pictures of interesting trash you collect. This year’s cleanup takes place from 9 am – 11 am. The Trail is broken down into 40 sections. Pick up registration packets on Friday. The Clean-Up headquarters is at the Schaap Community Center, 7401 Gunflint Trail.
For more information, click here.
The Cook County Market will be held in the parking lot of The Hub from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday.
The Cook County Market opens for the season on Saturday. It runs from 10 am to 2 pm.
The Cook County Market, featuring the work of local artists and artisans, is an open-air market with live music held every Saturday from Memorial Day Weekend through Moose Madness Weekend in October, weather permitting. Roxann Berglund will play this week.
Look for one-of-a-kind pottery, weaving, jewelry, woodworking, glass art, herbal balms, natural soaps, Lake Superior stones, rock art, plant-dyed clothing, paintings, leather-work, felted animals, baked treats, and more.
Here are a few examples of what you’ll find at the market:
Two Birds Healing Arts features balms, paintings, and more.
Natalie Sobanja shows her pottery at the market.
Paula Sundet exhibits sweetgrass baskets, paintings, and more.
Chain-saw sculpture by Wayne Johnson.
The market is open to all.
The Lake Superior Hiking Trail will celebrate its 40th birthday on Saturday, inviting trail lovers to hike the trails and then enjoy a beer at designated vendors.
The Superior Hiking Trail celebrates its 40th anniversary on Saturday.
Register for your preferred section of Trail to hike, run, or saunter. Then afterward, join one of our four regional 40th birthday parties at designated establishments along the Trail corridor.
- Grand Marais: Voyageur Brewing Co.
- Tofte: Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior (outdoor picnic)
- Two Harbors: Castle Danger Brewery
- Duluth: Ursa Minor Brewing
For more information and to register, click here.
On Monday, the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center will launch this year’s Monday Porch Talks, an opportunity to learn more about the Northwoods.
Monday Porch Talks are held at 2 pm at Chik-Wauk.
Caroline Urban, the program director of the Nature Center, will give a presentation about loons. It starts at 2 pm. Open to all. Free.
Also on Monday, artists Neil Sherman and Tim Vahle are hosting Open Figure Drawing Sessions on selected Mondays during the summer. The first session is from 5:30-8 pm on Monday, June 8. the cost is $20 per session, payable in cash onsite.
Sketch by Tim Vahle. He and Neil Sherman will host an open figure-drawing session in the Log Cabin Building on June 8.
This is not a class, but an open studio format featuring various timed poses ranging from quick 2-minute gesture sketches to longer 40-minute studies.
Whether you are looking to brush up on your anatomy drawing or simply want to enjoy a quiet evening creating, all skill levels are welcome.
Questions? Please reach out directly to Tim Vahle at tim@vahlefineart.com for more information.
Exhibits:
An exhibit of plein air paintings by Logan Hudson continues at the Johnson Heritage Post through June 14.
The Breakwall, oil, by Logan Hudson.
Hudson won the Grand Prize Award last year at the Grand Marais Plein Air competition. His work highlights natural features of the North Shore.
Grand Marais potter, Ann Ward, is the Artist of the Month at the Heritage Post.
Carved plate by Ann Ward.
Her work is on display through the end of June.
The Heritage Post is open from 10 am to 4 pm Wednesday through Saturday and from 1-4 pm Sunday. Free and open to all.
There are currently two exhibits at Studio 21: “Play,” the Grand Marais Art Colony‘s Summer Exhibition, which continues through early fall, and A Gang of Green, a pottery exhibit by potters working at the Art Colony’s ceramics studio, which continues through the end of June.
A collage of playful pieces by Judith Youman opens the summer exhibit, Play, at Studio 21.
A Gang of Green, Aleka Tomlinson, Jim Sannerud, Catherine Hansen, Lucy Carlson, and Brett Monahan, are exhibiting at Studio 21. It continues through June.
Split Rock Lighthouse is exhibiting a collection of works by local artists.
The Split Rock Lighthouse exhibit continues through this month.
Split Rock, acrylic, by Arlee Wilkes, is one of the works on display.
In Duluth, the Duluth Art Institute‘s 2026 Member Show continues, featuring a great selection of work by local and regional artists.
Green Heron, fabric collage, by Natalija Walbridge, received the People’s Choice Award at the Annual Member Show.
Here’s the QR code to see the other works in the show.
The Member Show continues through July 10.
The Tweed Museum of Art is closed this week for maintenance work and to install a new exhibit. Stay tuned.
Echoes of Nature: Painted & Carved, an exhibit at the Boreal Art Loft, has opened.
The exhibit, Echoes of Nature: Painted and Carved, opened at the Boreal Art Loft in St. Paul on June 1. The opening reception is from 5-7 pm on June 4 and continues through the month.
The exhibit features plein air paintings by Don Biehn and ceramics by Cindy Syme.
Artists at Work:
Driftwood and Shells, ink and graphite, by Carla Stetson.
Beach Sunrise, hand embroidery by Deborah Zibrik.
Fishy, 2007, by Tim Young.
Fired and ready to unload. Pottery by Jonathan Walburg, Lake Superior Pottery. He will be at the Grand Marais Arts Festival.
Loon, ink on watercolor paper, by Ralph Keating.
Corn Fields, acrylic, by Sue Rauschenfels.
Chik-Wauk Trapper, oil, by James Ellis.
Curved stained glass art installation, artist unknown. Photo by Carl Anderson.
Running away, acrylic, by Eduard Gurevich.
Hidden Falls, acrylic, by Todd Schneider.
Fused glass garden stake by Laurie Roberts. Her work can be found at the Blue Moose and the Cook County Market.
Online findings:
Are ramps threatened by the criminal underworld?
Ramps, the early spring delicacy, are under threat. Photo by Danny Palumbo. To read the story, click here.:
Online Music:
Live Music:
Thursday, June 4:
- The Splints, Up Yonder, 5-8 pm
- Music Bingo with singer Kari Golden, Raven Rock Grill at Skyport Lodge, 6-7 pm
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6-8 pm
- Joe Paulik, Cascade Restaurant & Pub, 6-8 pm
Friday, June 5:
- Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille & Taproom at Caribou Highlands Lodge, 7-9 pm
- Bump Blomberg, Bluefin Grille, 8-10 pm
- Pete Kavanaugh + Friends, Raven’s Nest at the Gun Flint Tavern, 8-11 pm
Saturday, June 6:
- Roxann Berglund, Cook County Market at the Hub, 10-2 pm
- Bump Blomberg, Cascade Restaurant & Pub, 6-8 pm
- Jim Miller, Moguls Grille & Taproom at Caribou Highlands Lodge, 7-9 pm
- Pete Kavanaugh + Friends, Raven’s Nest at the Gun Flint Tavern, 8-11 pm
Sunday, June 7:
- Bump Blomberg, Raven’s Nest at the Gun Flint Tavern, 3-6 pm
- Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille & Taproom at Caribou Highlands Lodge, 5-7 pm
Monday, June 8:
- Timmy Haus, Voyageur Brewing Company, 5-7 pm
- Billy Manzik, Bluefin Grille, 8-10 pm
Tuesday, June 9:
- Eric Frost, North Shore Winery, 4:30-6:30 pm
- Open Stage hosted by Pete K, Up Yonder, 6-8 pm
- Emma Tweten, Raven’s Nest at the Gun Flint Tavern, 6-9 pm
- Community Singing, Log Cabin at the Grand Marais Community Center, 7 pm
- Pat Eliasen, Raven Rock Grill at Skyport Lodge, 6-8 pm
- Joe Paulik, Raven’s Nest at the Gun Flint Tavern, 6-9 pm
- Briand Morrison, Bluefin Grille, 8-10 pm
Thursday, June 11:
- Adam Moe, Cascade Restaurant & Pub, 6-8 pm
- Gordon Thorne, North Shore Winery, 6-8 pm
Friday, June 12:
- Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille & Taproom at Caribou Highlands Lodge, 7-9 pm
- Jim Elverhoy & Eric Frost, Bluefin Grille, 8-10 pm
- Jambronies, Up Yonder, 8-11 pm
Saturday, June 13:
- Briand Morrison, Cook County Market at the Hub, 10-2 pm
- Sela Runn, Cascade Lodge Restaurant & Pub, 6-8 pm
- John Gruber, Moguls Grille & Taproom at Caribou Highlands Lodge, 7-9 pm
- Pride DJ Dance Party, Up Yonder, 8-11:59 pm
Sunday, June 14
-
Billy Johnson, North Shore Winery, 3:30-5:30 pm
- Timmy Haus, Moguls Grille & Taproom at Caribou Highlands Lodge, 5-7 pm
Photographs:
Here is a selection of photographs we found this week:
Wildlife;
The Lazuli Bunting. I named him Chuck’s Lazuli since my neighbor Chuck Olsen discovered him. Photo by Thomas Spence.
She popped up right next to my kayak, by Paul Ostrum.
Early morning at 36 degrees by Chuck Olsen.
A friendly visitor by Roxann Berglund.
The Gathering by Adam Malmanger.
Moose Monday, courtesy of the Golden Eagle Lodge.
A sweetie pie by Paul Ostrum.
Nashville Warbler by Chris Artist.
Friday fish fry in Seeley, by Paul Ostrum
Indigo Bunting at the Antler Inn by Thomas Spence.
The cost of dominance by Heidi Pinkerton.
Mourning Doves by Sierra Parsons.
Time for a swimming lesson by David Johnson.
Yum! By Chris Artist.
Northern Cardinal paying attention by Paul Sundberg.
Day-old Merganser chick by Bill Marchel.
Potpourri:
Paul R. Tregurtha loaded and ready to depart Duluth by Bjornberg Photography.
Dogwood is blooming by Twyla Cuchna.
In memory of my sister, Forget-Me-Nots by Jim Boyd.
The columbine by Paul Ostrum.
Spring garden harvest by Tom Kasper.
The blueberries are flowering by Michael Furtman.
Split Rock Lighthouse summer hours are now in effect from 10 am to 6 pm daily. For tickets and more info, click here. Photo by Hayes Scriven.
June is busting out all over by Maryl Skinner.
This is how we do, courtesy of Jesse Furo Pearson.
Moonscapes. Landscapes & Skyscapes:
Primavera by Andy Keith.
Blue Moon by Janice Latz.
Evening Light by Paul Ostrum.
Mornings start like this by Roxann Berglund.
Blue Moon by Maryl Skinner.
Early spring, by Travis Novitsky.
Blue moon over Lake Superior by Chuck Olsen.
Morning Waves by Adam Malmanger.
Hollow Rock by Keith Christenson.
Abandoned homestead, Northern Iceland by Layne Kennedy.
Peak Performance by Heidi Pinkerton.
Morning Skies by Jan Swart.
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!
Note: NorthShore ArtScene is an AI-free blog. Hope you are enjoying it. Support us by contributing soon. Your contribution really makes a difference. Just click on the link below. And Thank You!
And here’s a big shout-out to Jeremy Lopez (Live Music Schedule, tech advice) and Yvonne Mills (proofreading) for their continued support. Thank you! Thanks also to Visit Cook County for its outstanding Events Calendar.