The Eagle Harbor Fair has a wonderful lineup of artists, plus the large tent where members of the Copper Country Associated Artists gather and share music, conversation and crafts with guests in a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere August 12 and 13.

This summer Dolly Luoma, Millie Little, and Jeanne Rosemurgy, all fiber artists, share the Featured Artist position.

Art in the Park in Copper Harbor has features artists and crafters,  plus a main stage featuring regional musicians as well as grilled corn, brats and more.

The whole town is in celebration mode the weekend of August 19. 

Miriam Pickens Stacy Lay Coax in front of her booth at the Hancock Tori and Farmers Market.

Closer to home, I’ve been admiring the Public Art Walking Tour in Hancock, a collaboration of the City of Hancock with the Copper Country Community Arts Center.

This is a collection of 13 pieces from the Permanent Collection at the CCCAC of pieces donated by notable local artists. Pieces are reproduced onto weatherproof display boards placed around the city.

At  Porvoo Park on the Portage Canal, you can see “Shift Change” by Kevin Breyfogle, a depiction of Copper Miners going to work in the snowy weather, and “The Cliff” by Alice Reynolds.

Nancy McCabe, whose painting “Flowers for Mimi” is at the Ryan Street Garden, used to tell me about her friend Alice Reynolds who was locally famous in the 50’s and 60’s for her painting on ceramics. Breyfogle is known for his large, vibrant precisely painted scenes, some of which are currently for sale at the CCCAC. 

I love to check out the art at the Tori Market on Thursdays on the Quincy Green in front of the Hirvonen building.

Finnish American Folk School Dishtowels now displayed at the Finnish American Folk School held up by John Gale.

Besides the fresh veggies and baked goods, I enjoy browsing the artist booths, including one where you can find cool tye-dyed clothes and jewelry by Stacey Lay Coax from Elo, between Tapiola and Pelkie.

Joyce Kosenmaki’s “Bear and Stars” and John Haro’s “The Construction Workers” are displayed on Quincy Green.

Kosenmaki taught art at Finlandia for many years. Her paintings and sculptures depict the spiritual connection with nature. I enjoy checking out her work at the Gallery on 5th in Calumet and the CCCAC.

Haro was a local architect who designed some beautiful local church buildings including the Finlandia Chapel and the Range Apostolic Church in South Range, as well as many buildings in Ann Arbor on the University of Michigan Campus.

Haro passed away at the age of 91 in 2020.

You can find a map of the Public Art Walking Tour at the CCCAC or City Hall in Hancock. You can get pretty close to most of them by car, but some will require a little exercise.

I stopped by Sew Cranky on Quincy St. in Hancock where Ginger Alberti was working with Nila on a quilt, which will be a gift for her mom. Besides her group classes where customers of all ages learn to use the hand cranked sewing machines to create an assortment of goods, Ginger also works with private students on larger projects. 

There are some really cool art events coming up in August and September.

The Finnish American Folk School is getting geared up again to bring us the Bark & Willow Symposium from September 8 through 13. This will include workshops and demonstrations by Karen Tembreull and Poppy Hatinger, on the art of basketry, beadmaking, cordage and bookbinding. This symposium is sponsored in part by the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the CCCAC.

Registration is required, and you can find more information at https://www.finlandia.edu/fahc/finnish-american-folk-school/.

If you get a chance, check out the display of works from the Finnish American Folk School that were completed in the 2022/23 season. One display of interest is the collection of handwoven dish towels.

Five expert weavers from the folk school set up warps on five looms, and each weaver wove at least one towel on each warp; a sort of round-robin. There are more than twenty-five towels displayed on this clothesline, and each is unique and beautiful. In addition, there are examples of cotton rugs, ceramic wall flowers, Nuno felting and Birchbark art.

“Finns Love Alliteration” is the title of the new show opening today at the CCCAC Gallery featuring Duluth artist Lenore Lampi.

Lampi is well known for her ceramic work depicting intricate birchbark designs on functional ware as well as wall hangings. The opening reception and gallery talk will be this evening from 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Finally, there is an upcoming project which is dear to my heart.

Art for Peace is a collaboration of Keweenaw Faiths United with Keweenaw CAPE, the Community Alliance for Progressive Education. Children around our community at summer programs and Faith Communities have been listening to stories about Peacemaking, and have been encouraged to think about what Peace means to them. They are drawing pictures about Peace, and the pictures will be displayed in the Youth Gallery at the CCCAC in September.

On Thursday, August 17 from 5:30-7:30, Trinity Episcopal at 205 East Montezuma Ave. in Houghton will host a free supper and a Peacemaking session open to the community.

For more information call Reverend Sarah Diener-Schlitt at 906-482-2010 or email the church at trinityepiscopalhoughton@gmail.com.