Art’s Corner: The Eagle Harbor Art Fair returns after the pandemic break

By Miriam Pickens, originally published June 7, 2021

Last week I went to Calumet and walked down 5th Street. Years ago, the Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) met in the building between the laundromat and the Evergreen Restaurant. We used to go to the Evergreen for lunch on Thursdays. Jan Manniko would order tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. After a few years, the Evergreen closed down, but the Conglomerate Café opened next door, and they eventually became the Café Rosetta and moved further down the street to the corner. It’s sad to lose those buildings, but so grateful that the renters escaped unharmed. Kudos to all the support from fire stations, community members, the AmericInn, Salvation Army, Red Cross, local stores, and restaurants; all pulling together as a community bonded in caring. 

Christine Porter, featured artist of the 2021 Eagle Harbor Art Fair. Photo provided by John Dodge of the Copper Country Associated Artists Gallery.

Further north on 5th Street, renovations are happening where Hahn Hammered Copper used to be, and next door is the current location of the Copper Country Associated Artists Gallery, and I met with Linda Dodge. With everything we’ve been through, it’s comforting as Oreo cookies and milk to hear that they are planning the famous Eagle Harbor Art Fair for August 14 and 15 of 2021.

Linda has worked closely with Rich Probst, Eagle Harbor Township Supervisor, to make sure everything is done right. There’s never a guarantee that the fair will occur, so Linda calls Rich in April, and the township votes. Last year with the infection rate at high levels, they couldn’t go forward, but this year, with people getting vaccinated, the Township decided that an open-air fair would be acceptable. The next hurdle was to check with St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, to see if they could use the undercroft for the CCAA artists’ work. They agreed that it would be ok, but the CCAA will meet in July to check on state mandates for gathering because it’s a small space that can get pretty crowded. 

Almost all of the artists are returning to the fair. There will be nine new artists, and only waiting list spots available at this time. Three of the artists new to the fair will be Kristan Coleman, Robert Ralph, and Donna Lenard, all watercolorists. Don Wilson makes spectacular Lake Superior agate jewelry, and Brandon Boesl is a photographer, both are new this year. 

This is a juried fair to maintain high quality and diversity of work. There will be fifteen jewelry booths, and woodworking seems to be trending. One of the artists, Brian Hirvella from Laurium, will be showing his pieces made from driftwood and recycled metal. 

Christine Porter will be the featured artist. She returned to the Keweenaw in 2013 after several years of training in the art in Wisconsin and Iowa. Her beautiful stained glass pieces can be seen at the gallery, where she frequently teaches classes. She will be featuring new work at the fair. 

There will be several community organizations represented at the fair, such as the Keweenaw Natural Areas, previously known as North Woods Conservancy, who will be selling their famous raffle tickets to raise funds to benefit Seven Mile Point. Prizes include cash rewards plus three all-inclusive Keweenaw weekend getaways. There will be a bake sale to benefit the Eagle Harbor First Responders and a food tent with proceeds going to the Eagle Harbor Fire Department. This year there will not be a quilt raffle by the Sandstone Piecemakers. Heather McGee of Right Start UP Kid’s Academy in Hancock will be offering a Make-it Take- it booth for kids. 

Make plans to head on up the Keweenaw Peninsula on August 14 or 15 for the Eagle Harbor Fair, Saturday 10 a.m.‑5 p.m., Sunday noon‑4 p.m.. And on August 21 and 22, the Copper Harbor Community will present Art in the Park, Sat 10 a.m.‑5 p.m., and Sun 11 a.m.‑4 p.m.. 

Meanwhile, the Copper Country Community Arts Center (CCCAC) in Hancock will be extending Gray Kotila's exhibition of fantasy comics and digital art through June 12 in the Kerredge Gallery. Sketching to See, a new collaborative program between the CCCAC and the Keweenaw Land Trust will be a series of “four relaxed exploration and sketching outings at different KLT properties” led by John Arnold starting on June 10. All drawing levels are welcome and beginners are encouraged. These events are free but donations will be appreciated and will benefit both organizations. Email jill@keweenawlandtrust.org for more information, or check out the CCCAC website at www.coppercountryarts.com.