It’s hard to believe sometimes in early March when we look outside, that this is the month of the spring equinox. We are almost halfway to summer. On a warm day in late March, I will occasionally see a butterfly or two; a Mourning Cloak or a Compton Tortoiseshell that has come out of their hiding place in tree bark to bask in the sun.

My favorite show of the year is the Celebration of Youth Arts Month, which opens on the fourth of March, and goes through April 1 at the Copper Country Community Arts Center (CCCAC) on Quincy St. in Hancock.  Children from around the Copper Country will have their masterpieces displayed in both the Kerredge and the Youth Galleries. This collection is a tribute to the dedication of our art teachers and the way the local children who are inspired to express themselves creatively. I love going to this show at about 3:40 in the afternoon on a school day. Invariably a whole family will show up with their child, who will walk around surveying the walls until finally they light up with joy when they find their creation, and then out comes the camera. 

Karen Scholie, art teacher at Hancock Elementary, shared some of her students’ art work with me that will be submitted for the show. Through art her students learn about hibernating animals, the structure of leaves and symmetry, the LOVE sculptures of Robert Indiana, and birds “just because they’re so awesome”. One of the most intriguing pieces was from the “Draw a 3-D Snowman” lesson, which Karen described to me.

“Starting with a circle, then shading with ebony pencil, shading sticks and white charcoal pencil to show the direction of the light source and adding shadows where needed.  When I drew another (smaller) circle above, the students knew what we were doing.  I talked about creating depth in their picture with horizon line(s) and including objects, all keeping in mind the composition of it all.”

What a neat exercise to engage children in noticing the interplay of light and shadows in their world.

You can see these pictures and more during the month of March at the CCCAC. The CCCAC is open from Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m..

The 2023 Faculty Exhibit at the Finlandia Gallery is up through April 12. Several current and emeritus faculty at the International School of Art & Design as well as the Finnish American Folk School have their works in this show. Lindsey Heiden, ceramic artist, has a large installation called “Nesting” which is also interactive. It asks the audience to contribute their interpretations of the title word to the display. Laura Smyth, adjunct professor of Typography and Creative Writing, has excerpts from a poem printed on her own watercolor paintings. The reception for this show will be from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, in combination with the annual student show. It’ll be a fun evening! 

Also at Finlandia, there is a Soup/Salad & Silent Auction Fundraiser to benefit FinnU students from the Servant Leadership Program who will be travelling to serve the Kisarawe Lutheran Junior Seminary in Tanzania. Soups like Tanzania Vegetable and Coconut Potato, plus others will be offered, and this is a rare Copper Country opportunity to bid on beautiful garments and fabric from previous trips to Africa by the students. The fundraiser is being held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 18 from 11-1 p.m.. Suggested donation for adults is $7 ahead of time, or $8 at the door. Children 6-12 years old can attend for $5. 

After the lunch on Saturday, March 18, you can head up to Calumet for the opening of “Awaken: Spring Art Collective!” at the Gallery on 5th. This is a community art exhibit celebrating spring, with live music by Adrienne Newman. The opening runs from 2-5 p.m., the show will be up until May 1. The Gallery on 5th is at 109 5th Street in the heart of the Calumet Art District.

This month, the Copper Country Associated Artist Gallery in Calumet is offering an Equinox Miniatures show. Artists are invited to create a small piece that can fit in the palm of your hand (no larger than 4x6 inches). You can drop these off by March 4 (better hurry!), and these will be for sale until Saturday, March 18, when the Gallery will be open from 1 until 6 p.m.. The CCAA Gallery is located at 205 Fifth St. in Calumet.

On Sunday, March 19 from 1-4 p.m., there will be a Book and Bake Sale fundraiser at the Calumet Art Center (the big green church at the south end of 5th Street in Calumet).  Hardcover books will be $1 and soft cover books will be 50 cents.  There will be arts and craft books along with general interest books. If you have books to donate in the weeks leading up to this event, please call them for more information at 906-934-2228. Proceeds from this event will support operations at the Calumet Art Center.

Finally, I want to recognize two Copper Country Artists who passed away recently. 

Myrtle Barrette was a long-term member of the Copper Country Associated Artists. She painted nature scenes and landscapes. She is best remembered as someone who enjoyed participating in the friendly gatherings at the Gallery, and the way she tried to encourage new members and beginning artists. She died on Jan. 31, at the age of 101.

Anna Vollmer worked as a bookkeeper for Kirkish Furniture for 59 years, and when she retired, she became a very prolific artist. Anna never showed her work in public exhibitions, but her oil paintings beautifully reflected her love for the scenic beauty of the Keweenaw.  She died on Feb. 21, 2023, at the age of 96.