Grand Marais Art Colony, Grand Marais, Minnesota Special Events

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The 23rd Annual Grand Marais Arts Festival

July 13-14, 2013

Over 70 local and regional artists set up by the glistening shores of Lake Superior for two days during the peak of summer to showcase their unique handcrafted work and provide insight into their artistic process through demonstration and dialogue.

Meet & Greet Soiree: Friday, July 12 from 7-9pm at Sivertson Gallery
Festival Hours: Saturday, July 13 from 9am-5pm & Sunday, July 14 from 10am-4pm

To view photos from the 2012 event, click here.
Watch a video of the 2012 event, click here.

Arts Festival Sale @the Art Colony. A fundraiser for the Art Colony to organize and promote the festival annually. Lots of goodies! Click here for a preview.

More info

11th Annual Plein Air Grand Marais

September 6-29, 2013

Competition: September 6-13
Embark on a self-guided artists scavenger hunt to seek out artists painting during the week. A list of painting sites available at the Art Colony.

Quick Paint: Thursday, September 12 from 4-5:30pm on Artists’ Point
Artists are given 90 minutes to complete a painting. With a shotgun start and Lake Superior’s ever changing weather, it is a spectacle to watch!

Opening Reception: Friday, September 13 from 5-7pm at the Johnson Heritage Post

Exhibit & Sale: September 14-29 from 9am-4pm at the Johnson Heritage Post
View the area through the eyes of an artist. Celebrate with the artists and the community a week’s worth of painting.

Kids' Plein Air with Grandpa David: Saturday, September 14 from 1-3pm in Harbor Park
Bring a pencil, paper and a smile. Grandpa David will teach youth the basics for creating a work of art outdoors. FREE - open to ages 7-17.

REGISTER. Online registration for the 2013 Plein Air Grand Marais will be opening soon. To register today, please call the office for more details at (218) 387-2737.

DETAILS FROM 2012 EVENT BELOW

To view the artwork created during the 2012 weeklong competition:
Main Competition, Quick Paint and Night Paint.

WATCH. The video created by WDSE The Playlist recorded during the 2011 Quick Paint is now available for viewing online. Click here to watch.

More info

Annual Members Show & Sale

October 18 - November 24, 2013

Join us for this year's Member Show exhibit Friday, October 19 through Wednesday, November 21 and purchase dynamic pieces from a variety of price ranges.

The Grand Marais Art Colony annual Member Show & Sale provides an opportunity for artists to share their inspiration with each other and the public.

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Empty Bowls Dinner and Silent Auction

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Lunch: 11:30-1pm
Dinner: 5-7pm
at the UCC Congregational Church (300 W 2nd St., Grand Marais)

There are more than 100 families that use the local foodshelf every month. That is why, annually, the Art Colony organizes the Empty Bowls Dinner, a community fundraiser for the local Food Shelf .

Community members make hand-made ceramic bowls to donate for the dinner event. Dinner guests pick out their favorite bowl and fill it with a delicious soup donated by a local restaurant. This is a great way to have a lovely evening with your neighbors and friends while raising money to ensure that others can have a hot meal on a cold fall evening as well.

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Winter Arts Festival : Outdoor Painting & Photography

January 25 - 31, 2014

Experience the glory of winter in Northern Minnesota where the sparkling winterscape is mesmerizing. The Winter Arts Festival is comprised of two unique events, the Snow Carving Symposium & Winter Plein Air Painting and Photography, rousing artists to dress warm and discover the joy of winter.

Share the story of winter, celebrate the color of white and delve deeper into the creative spirit. There are many ways to be involved in this fun and interactive festival. Be a participant, an observer or a student…just dress warm.

Paint: January 25 - 31 @ Camp Menogyn
Does paint freeze? Winter Plein Air brings a unique set of challenges to plein air painting such as a subtle color palette and temperature control. Adventurous artists ski across a frozen lake teetering on the edge of the Boundary Waters (BWCA) to chase the limited daylight and battle the freezing temperatures to capture the scenic landscape.

Exhibit & Sale: Jan. 31 - Feb. 23 @ the Art Colony
An exhibit & sale of the freshly painted works will be on display at the Grand Marais Art Colony. Opening Reception will be hosted on Friday, January 31

View photos of the 2013 Exhibit: Click here!

More info

Winter Arts Festival : Snow Carving Symposium

January 24 - 31, 2014

Winter Arts Festival : Snow Carving Symposium

Carving Creation: January 24 - 31, 2014
On Display: January 31 - TBD (weather permitting)

Experience the glory of winter in Northern Minnesota where the sparkling winterscape is mesmerizing. The Winter Arts Festival is comprised of two unique events, the Snow Carving Symposium & Winter Plein Air, rousing artists to dress warm and discover the joy of winter.

Join us as we explore the depths of snow-itivity!

The Snow Carving Symposium challenges artists to transform simple blocks of snow into ornate works of art. The carvings will be hosted by local businesses throughout Cook County and will be on display January 31 - TBD (weather permitting).

*CALL FOR ARTISTS* Seeking creative minds to sign up to participate. Snow blocks will be provided. A stipend & lodging can be provided to registered artists.

To View Photos from the 2013 Event: Click Here!
Hear an interview with the snow carvers by 90.7 WTIP, click here!

More info

Northern Fibers Retreat

February 13 - 16, 2014

Celebrate the Art and Craft of Fibers in the heart of cozy winter. This 4 day retreat features a variety of classes, Lunch and Learn lectures and a community dance, all while celebrating with other fiber enthusiasts.

Co-hosted with the North House Folk School and the Northwoods Fiber Guild. Classes and programs will be offered at both the Art Colony & North House.

DETAILS FROM THE 2013 RETREAT BELOW

For a schedule of Northern Fibers Retreat Art Colony classes, click here.

Lunch & Learn, Friday 2/15 & Saturday 2/16
Whether you are a student taking a class or just interested in fiber, join us for Lunch & Learn which includes a catered lunch by a local restaurant ($12). Students and public may bring their own bagged lunch & listen to the lecture withouth the catered lunch (free):

Fri, Feb 15: "Painting with Thread" by Kim Knutson catered by The Pie Place at the Grand Marais Art Colony

Sat, Feb 16: "Exploring Swedish Handknits" with Janine Kosel at The Harbor Light sponsored by North House Folk School

To register for Lunch & Learn or Mini Workshops, call the Art Colony or download the reservation form.

More info

Artist-in-Residence

2014 TBD

For generations, the Art Colony has been a nurturing sanctuary for the creative spirit - welcoming artists of all skill levels and backgrounds into the artistic community of the North Shore.

In the spring of 2012, the Art Colony began an Artist-in-Residence program inviting artist(s) to use our studio space for a two week period to expand and explore their creativity. Each Residence has a community engagement component that invites the public into the experience of the working artist.

2014 Details TBD

More info

Consider becoming a member of the Grand Marais Art Colony today and help us fulfill our mission to provide services to artists, promote art education and nurture art in our community by providing an environment for creative excellence. Click here to join.