The first one, happening tonight at the Carnegie Museum, is a tribute to Mary Biekkola Wright, a champion “can-do” community artist who I first met at the Art Center in Hancock where she had prepared a show of paintings by veterans in recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder. Later I worked with her on the Grandma doors. I cherish these memories. She passed away on November 15, 2021.

RiseUP member Faith Morrison wrote the following about the upcoming show:

“Today, November 2, at 5:30 p.m. there is a reception at the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw to open a local exhibit honoring Mary Wright, who passed away last November. Everyone is invited, and I’ve agreed to tell you about it to entice you to come!

In 2019, Mary Wright formed the group riseUP–Recognizing the Importance of women’s Suffrage Everywhere: Upper Peninsula. We were all excited to focus on the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, and Mary was the most excited of all. She approached this celebration in a style that is all hers – proposing a community project that “went big.” Mary’s idea was to blanket the UP with bright yellow sunflowers that would, for years or decades, remind ourselves of the power of women and the importance of voting.

Photos courtesy of CCAC, Carnegie Museum, and Keweenaw Art Affair A series of Superior paintings by Randy Wakeham.

It was a big idea, and classic Mary, since she had spent decades organizing folks of all talents to explore their relationships with neighbors and family. The list of Mary’s projects is well-known: there were murals, Finnish chairs, Grandma doors, books on the block, mittens, and Story Lines. The current exhibit recaps some of this history and connects it to the Sunflower project, which, although not reaching the heights Mary aimed for, nevertheless hit the mark.

Please join us on November 2 at 5:30 p.m. at the Carnegie for the opening reception. Most of the materials on display were curated or created by the Beaumier UP Heritage Center at Northern. The Marquette Mary meets the Houghton/Hancock Mary in the Carnegie exhibit. We will be filling out the record a bit with some local flavor. Come and celebrate this one-of-a-kind individual who didn’t take “no” for an answer.”

The Shaft exhibit has always been one of my favorites at the Copper Country Community Arts Center in Hancock. Many media, many interpretations; it’s fun to see what people are thinking about when they reflect on our mining history, and sometimes just the word….shaft. I remember ceramic artist Mary Ann Predebon submitted a sardine can with two or three clay miners crammed inside. Tammy Gajewski painted a lovely picture of a shaft of grass.

Cynthia Cote sent me this announcement for the upcoming show.

“We’ve always had The Shaft. We were committed from the time we opened the doors in December 1992 to creating opportunities for community involvement. The Shaft was chosen because of the prominent visual reminders of the local mining history all around us. The Shaft is a community call for art each November. All art is accepted and cash awards are made by public vote, cast throughout the month. The exhibition is always strong, representing various mediums, and angles on interpretation. For many, it is their first time entering a show, for some it is the only public exhibition they take part in. For seasoned artists, there is the challenge to create something new for the deadline. For the first time we have proposed a theme in relation to the physical reminders,” How Nature Reclaims.” There will be an opening reception on Thursday, November 9th 6-7:30 p.m. along with Party with the Arts, our annual membership drive celebration with live music and refreshments.”

Photos courtesy of CCAC, Carnegie Museum, and Keweenaw Art Affair A paper sculpture by Julie Vasold.

And finally, the first of the holiday art shows is coming right up. The Keweenaw Art Affair is a terrific juried art and fine crafts show with over 40 vendors. I always find something at that show to buy for myself or as a gift.

Kristin Raisanen Schourek, artist and volunteer for the Art Affair, sent me this press release for the upcoming show.

“The Keweenaw Art Affair is scheduled for Saturday, November 11, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Houghton High School gym. This will be the 17th year for the show, which was established by a passionate group of local artists. The planning committee has evolved over the years, and with new members with fresh ideas and expertise, the show is evolving, as well. A new logo and increased social media presence seem to have already paid dividends, as the show is full, and a wonderful variety of art and fine craftsmanship will be on display and available for purchase.

One thing hasn’t changed: the show’s proceeds are donated to art programs in the local schools and community organizations.”

Hoping to see you at all three events!