The Calumet Art District is pleased to bring you a wonderful array of gallery openings for the August First Friday. You’ll find an assortment of media such as painting, photography, wood burning and found object art as well as a chance to make your own jewelry.

Each summer, the Main Street Calumet Design Committee picks a special theme and for 2014 it is “Art in Architecture.” Members of this committee have done a wonderful job with window displays, and some of the galleries have chosen this as their special theme for First Friday in August. While you are out enjoying Calumet’s August First Friday take a minute to peek in the store fronts along Fifth Street.

Calumet Art District, 57055 Fifth St.

The Calumet Art Center will host an open house for First Friday in August. Find your inspiration while touring the center and open studios featuring looms of all types, a lamp work bead station, the library and writing studio and the clay studio where there are several works in progress. Learn about our recent classes, projects and upcoming events.

Check out the work done by the students in the Summer Youth Art Immersion program. Classes include: knitting, clay, drawing/painting, art of nature, fabric dying and decoration, copper, sculpture/assemblage, bookbinding.

Currently on display at the Calumet Art Center upstairs in the Performance Hall are 40 quilts from the collection of the late Geraldine Pennington. These quilts were inherited by her daughter Harriett White, and granddaughter-in-law, Kirsten White, who wished to share them with the public this summer. Some of the quilts were made by family members, and many were purchased from auctions in the northern Indiana area from the 1970s through the 1990s. These quilts will be on display throughout the month of August. Come in and learn of the history of this collection, and appreciate all of the hard work and creativity that went in to making these beautiful quilts!

You may also be delighted by a display of 45 Eric Iverson oil paintings generously donated by the Iverson family. Please call 906-934-2228 or 906-281-3494 if you need more information, or check out our website at calumetartcenter.com.

Paige Wiard Gallery, 109 Fifth St.

During the month of August The Paige Wiard Gallery will be celebrating art in architecture. The Keweenaw Peninsula known for all its natural beauty, but sometimes the man made beauty is overlooked. Luckily this area has a lot of amazing artists that see the beauty of the buildings we sometimes overlook. Artists have captured the ornate designs in the old buildings, the simple structures of every day homes, and amazing ruins from old weathered structures and turned them in to amazing artwork. The month of August is dedicated to the buildings and architecture of the Keweenaw Peninsula. Join us at the Paige Wiard Gallery for an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. For questions please check out our website at paigewiardgallery.com, call 906-337-5970 or email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com.

Caf Rosetta, 104 Fifth St.

Our featured artist for August is Jacquelyn Williams from Waterford, Michigan. Jackie displays talent in a wide variety of artistic genres, and pulls inspiration from whatever surroundings she may find herself in. Examples of her original artwork include detailed oil pastel sketches, wood burnings done on Lake Superior driftwood, and acrylic paintings that incorporate beautiful textures as well as Lake Superior beach glass, agates, and thomsonite. She also does custom artwork upon request. Jackie’s original pieces will be on display at Caf Rosetta for the month of August, and she would be honored if you would come and share her life’s joy!

Hahn Hammered Copper, 203 Fifth St.

For the month of August, Hahn Hammered Copper will host “Salvagion”; beautiful architectural elements salvaged from our throw away society and saved from sure destruction. There will also be a “what is it?” contest. Guess our mystery object and win a hand-hammered copper zipper pull.

Copper Country Associated Artists, 205 Fifth St.

Learn a simple method of creating jewelry. Pamela Hecht will show you how to make a bead drop pendant and a pair of pierced earrings. The activity will run from 6-8pm on August 1. Please call the gallery at 906-337-1252 for more information, and don’t forget to attend the Eagle Harbor Fair on August 9 & 10.

Cross Country Sports, 507 Oak St.

For the month of August, Cross Country Sports will display photography by Adam Griffis, featuring scenes from the Great Deer Chase Mountain Bike Race. Adam’s photographs capture the action, excitement and competitive spirit of Calumet’s premier mountain bike race, set against the backdrop of historic downtown Calumet and the beautiful Swedetown Trails. Join us for an open house and refreshments from 6 to 9 p.m.

Galerie Boheme, 423 Fifth Street,

New Works from Patty Ouellette Watson

A native of the Keweenaw, lifelong artist Patty Ouellette Watson now spends her time painting at her homes on Lake Superior near Gay and in the mountains of Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. Working with oil on canvas, she produces vibrant abstract expressionistic representations complementing both environments.

The reception with the artist will be from 6:30 to 9 p.m., August 1st.

This show runs from August 1st thru September 4th. The gallery is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, please contact galerieboheme@gmail.com or Tom Rudd at 906-369-4086.