BRUCE CROSSING: — Settlers Depot Gallery, Bruce Crossing, has launched its 35th season promoting the work of local artisans and crafters. The Depot Gallery is a member operated Artisan Cooperative in featuring 20-25 artisans annually.

The Depot Gallery was founded in the old Soo-Line Railroad Depot in Bruce Crossing in 1990. At that time, the depot building was located along the Dultuh, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A) railroad tracks where the grocery extension of Settlers Cooperative, Inc, now stands. Co-founder Mary Shegan saw the potential of the deteriorating depot as a venue for featuring local artisans and to provide a tourist focal point in the Bruce Crossing area. Shegan gathered a cadre of community members and artisans and pitched the idea to the board of Settlers Cooperative, Inc. The board of directors approved the idea and Settler’s Artisans (the cooperative) and Settlers Depot Gallery (the store) were created, opening for the first sales on June 29, 1990.

In 1996, when the Settlers Co-Op Store planned to expand, the historic depot was slated for demolition. Unwilling to lose its Gallery, the Settlers Artisans contracted to move the depot from its location adjacent to the railroad right away to the current location near M28 on the southeast corner of the Settlers’ Coop parking lot. Gary Gustafson, of Trout Creek, rolled the building on logs to its current location. The Depot Artisans paid down the debt for the move and celebrated their “Silver Anniversary” with a mortgage burning. This history of the gallery is on display in the recently renovated meeting room at the north end of the depot.

Just a few of the original members and those associated with the “big move” remain … Shegan is long known for her painted glassware, photographs and quilted bags. More recently she has added a line of woven baskets and gourd art. Sue Shimp is another early member with her “Precious and Practical Creations.” Shimp specializes in creating dainty, heirloom baby bonnets, bridal keepsakes and other embroidered items. Another long-time member is Alice Linna who joined in 1996 with her sewing creations including popular aprons and quilted pillow tops.

For the 2025 season, the Gallery welcomeed back Rochelle McFarland with her tagline “Imaginings …” for her crocheted shawls, scarves and afghans. McFarland also has a line of ear-rings made of thin wood sections embellished with pyrography, designs burned into the wood.

New this year is artist Clare Howard with her original pen & ink drawings of animals printed on greeting cards. She also has several framed artworks for sale.

Popular with patrons are the plasma cut recycled metal silhouettes by Ron Brown as well as the intricate beadwork and wire-wrapped gems of Kay Richter. Gayle Sironen is back with her traditional Finnish Rag Rugs woven on a heirloom loom. Sironen has also been taking pottery lessons and has included a few bowls and mugs. A relative is gifting her with a kiln and she hopes to experiment with Ontonagon red clay. In the meantime she also offers hand carved wooden spoons, homemade jams, and quilted wall hanging.

A taste of Upper Michigan can be found in Les McBean’s local honey and maple syrup bottled at White Birch Apiary. There are several other artists and their skillfully inventive crafts. All the items can be seen in the Depot Gallery which is open daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

There is also room for additional new artisans to join Settlers Artisan Cooperative. Wood working, metal forging and leather work are among the under-represented crafts. There is a jury process, a membership fee and a commitment to sharing in the operation of the Depot Gallery. Interested crafters should contact Mary Shegan, ph 906-852-3485.

The Depot Gallery’s Annual Spring Plant sale happens Saturday is today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. You can visit the gallery’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057649270020