Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette John Haro’s “The Construction Workers” is seen on display Thursday as part of the Copper Country Community Arts Center’s annual Public Art Walk. The walk includes 13 pieces, located in green spaces and along walking paths in the city.

By GARRETT NEESE

gneese@mininggazette.com

HANCOCK — People walking around Hancock can catch a glimpse of what local artists have to offer.

The Copper Country Community Arts Center is holding its second Public Art Walk this year, with reproductions of 13 works from its permanent collection placed in green spaces and along walking paths in downtown Hancock.

“It’s just nice that we can get our permanent collection outside to the public, where everyone can enjoy it,” CCCAC Director Cynthia Cote said at an opening reception held at Quincy Green Thursday night.

CCCAC has been building its permanent collection of artwork since 1998.

Cote thanked the City of Hancock for sponsoring the event, and Glenn Ierley for taking high-quality photographs of the originals to use in the displays.

“Hopefully we can continue with this project and get more of them out in the public scenario,” Cote said. “We have lots of beautiful green spaces in Hancock and we have space for more art.”

This year’s walk has five additional pieces. Three — Nancy McCabe’s “Flowers for Mimi,” Edith Marshall’s “Flower Garden” and Barbara Cloutier’s “Claire’s Bouquet” — are at the Ryan Street Community Garden.

Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette
Cynthia Cote, director of the Copper Country Community Arts Center, speaks during the reception for the Public Art Walk in Hancock Thursday on Quincy Green. Behind her is Joyce Koskenmaki’s “Bear & Stars Acrylic,” one of 13 pieces on this year’s walk.

“Those three painters were all friends, so we thought it would be really nice to put them all together in the garden,” Cote said.

Two more pieces were added at Porvoo Park: Kevin Breyfogle’s “Shift Change” and Alice Reynolds’ “The Cliff.”

The CCCAC’s permanent collection will continue to grow, Cote said.

“We continue to build our collection and create more information about these artists for people doing research, so their legacy will not be lost,” she said.

Several of the artists were there for the opening reception.

Fredi Taddeucci’s 2009 piece “The Shaft” is one of three pieces on lower Lincoln Drive. She said she’s happy to have her artwork where the public can see it.

“I think it’s quite an honor, very much so,” she said.

Taddeucci, 86, had wanted to be an artist her entire life, but initially didn’t have the opportunity. She got one in her mid-30s, when a Chicago-based artist started teaching classes through Michigan Technological University; Tadduecci began painting in oils. Her friend Marianne Beckwith, an instructor at Tech, also brought in nationally known artists each year to do workshops.

“I had good exposure to some very good artists,” she said. “And I did some traveling also to look at some good shows in different cities. I’ve entered many competitions and have shown my work across the country. I’ve had my work published in art books. It’s been a fun career.”

The public art displays are “semi-permanent,” Cote said. Last year, almost all pieces stayed up year-round, except three on Lincoln Avenue that were obstacles to snow removal.

A map of the walking tour is available at City Hall, at the CCCAC, and online at coppercountryarts.com.

The 13 works on display this year are:

“It’s Cold” by Nancy Kramer (2017)

“Tezcuco Street” by Georgi Tsenov (2011)

“Woodchoppers” by Alden Steck (1938)

“Bear & Stars Acrylic” by Joyce Koskenmaki (2022)

“The Construction Workers” by John Haro (2012)

“Flowers for Mimi” by Nancy McCabe (2000)

“Flower Garden” by Edith Marshall (1999)

“Claire’s Bouquet” by Barbara Cloutier (1998)

“The Strikers” by Jan Manniko (1965)

“The Sentinel” by Clyde Mikkola (2010)

“The Shaft” by Fredi Taddeucci (2009)

“Shift Change” by Kevin Breyfogle (2005)

“The Cliff” by Alice Reynolds (1968)