Photo courtesy of CCAA Marquette artist, Laura Maze, is coming to the Copper Country Associated Artists Gallery on May 23 in Calumet. 

CALUMET — Marquette-based artist, Laura Maze is coming to Calumet, hosted by the Copper Country Associated Artists for its gallery season opening, May 23.

Maze was selected by the CCAA through her work in the 2025 Bonifas Northern Exposure Exhibition in Escanaba. This marks the first time the CCAA is bringing a guest artist from outside its membership to be featured.

CCAA President, Jerome Patryjak, said he wants more collaboration between U.P. artists and creatives. “The entire Keweenaw Peninsula is a very creative area,” he said. “There’s many writers, painters, photographers, sculptors — people here that have gravitated towards this area.”

CCAA member, Pam Hansen, said support between artists is critical in the group’s mission. All art shown and sold at the CCAA gallery is local. “Everyone either lives here or summers here and all the work in the gallery is made and produced in this area,” she said. “So, when you come here, you’re buying something that’s been produced here.”

According to Hansen, CCAA moved to their new location two blocks north on Fifth Street and have been using the additional space to host art classes and gallery showings. “We had a quiet grand opening last May,” she said. “And this year, our feature is our guest artist.”

Maze will be at the gallery starting at noon, Patryjak said. She will be available to talk about her work and answer questions people may have.

Along with the guest artist, CCAA is hosting community art classes where residents can learn different ways to produce art, like beading, watercolor and stained glass. CCAA Secretary, Donna Lenard, said she hosts the water coloring classes and the classes are made for older adults living in the area.

“I would say, a lot of retired folks that are looking for stuff to do. But also, we have an array,” she said. “So anybody that’s interested in a particular art, they can come in and focus on what they want to do.”

Hansen said the CCAA hopes bringing in a guest artist will start the summer season on a strong note. “We really want to start off with something special by bringing in the visiting artist,” she said. “We are going to continue to do featured artists, but instead of an outsider, we’re going to feature our own artists.”