FinnFest visitors and the general public have the opportunity to view art created by Finnish-American artists with Carlton County ties at many galleries in Duluth and Superior, the DECC, and Duluth International Airport. The dates of most of the exhibitions extend before and after the actual dates of FinnFest, so check out the art at the following places! And for more interesting information on the exhibitions, galleries, and artists, check out their Web sites.
The exhibit "Naturally Finnish/Luonnollisesti Suomalainen" will be at the Duluth Art Institute, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth (218-733-7560) from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. now through Aug. 24. Opening reception will be held from 3-7 p.m. Thursday, July 24. Contemporary artists Tiffany Besonen, Tia Salmela Keobounpheng, Lynn Korhonen, Joyce Koskenmaki, Lenore Lampi, Virginia Maki, Scott Murphy, Kristin Pavelka, John Salminen, Natalie Salminen Rude, Cherie Sampson and Laura Ahola Young are featured in this exhibit of fine art and design. Included are paintings, ceramics, jewelry, glass, video with photographs, drawings, and sculpture. FinnFest Fine Arts Committee visual artists also have work in the Corridor Gallery. Artists include Mary Erickson, Kathryn Nordstrom, Sue Matuszak, Angel Sarkala-Saur, Andy Saur, Margaret Webster, and Marlene Wisuri. For more information, visit www.duluthartinstitute.org .
The exhibit "Honoring Tradition: Finnish and Sami-inspired Textiles" is at the Tweed Museum of Art, 1201 Ordean Court, University of Minnesota-Duluth (218-726-8222) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. now through Sept. 21. Artists' reception and gallery talk by exhibit co-curator Mary Erickson will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, July 26. Honoring Tradition includes rag rugs, transparencies, poppana, felting, clothing, woven wall hangings, takana, raanu, rya, and other textiles. Vintage Finnish textiles will provide historical context for the exhibit. Participating artists include: Mary Erickson, Paivi Homola, Laurie Jacobi, Irene Johnson, Susan Johnson, Janelle Kallio, Edythe Karlstrand, Karin Kiviluoma, Ruth Koski, Karen Lamppa, Annika Martilla, Wynne Mattila, Mel Olsen, Susan Saari, Bill Schaffer, Joyce Seppala, Carol Sperling, and Mary Wovcha. Works from the collection of Gerry Kangas and a Finnish rug loom from the collection of the Carlton County Historical Society will also be on display. Visit www.d.umn.edu/tma .
On Thursday, July 24, and Friday, July 25, from 3-6 p.m. there will be gallery hops and receptions at the Tweed Museum, the Duluth Art Institute, and the commercial galleries listed below. Visitors can hop The Port Town Trolley and the UMD shuttle. Check the FinnFest registration area for times and places. Finnish-American artists also have work at the following galleries (hours vary):
- Art Dock, 394 S. Lake Ave., Duluth (218-722-1451) - Featured Finnish-American artist: Louise Laakso Lundin. Visit www.lundinart.com.
- Blue Iris Gallery, 723 S. Lake Ave., Duluth (218-720-3300) - Featured Anishinaabe/Finnish-American artist: paintings by Carl Gawboy; and featured Finnish-American artist: ceramics by Bob Husby. Visit www.blueirisgalleryduluthmn.com.
- Blue Lake Gallery, 395 S. Lake Ave., Duluth (218-725-0034) - Featured Finnish-American artists: Lenore Lampi, Eve Riihiluoma and Judy Hedblom. Visit www.copperandclay.com or www.bluelakegallery.com.
- Just for the Season Gallery, 207 W. Superior St., Duluth - Featured Finnish American artists: watercolors by Paul Hemmila and Lyn Jutila, and paintings by Karen Maki.
- Kollodge Gallery, 310 S. Lake Ave., second floor (218-740-3255) - Featured Finnish-American artist: photographs by Kathryn Nordstrom. Visit www.knordstrom.smugmug.com or www.dovetailedpress.com.
- Lizzard's, 38 E. Superior St., Duluth (218-722-5815) - Featured Finnish-American artist: etchings by Laura Myntti. Visit www.myntti.com or www.lizzards.com.
- North End Arts Council Gallery, 1323 Broadway (corner of Broadway and Hammond), Superior, Wis. (715-392-6007) - "Dovetailed Corners" runs now through July 31 and features prose poems in English and Finnish by Jim Johnson and photographs by Marlene Wisuri. Visit www.neartscouncil.org or www.dovetailedpress.com.
- Sivertson Gallery, 361 Canal Park Drive, Duluth (218-723-7877) - "Art of the North." Visit www.sivertson.com.
- Waters of Superior, 395 S. Lake Ave., Duluth (218-786-0233) - "Northern Exposure: Images from Iceland, Greenland, Finland" features editorial style photographs by Layne Kennedy that reflect the rich culture and landscape of Iceland, Greenland and Finland. The exhibit runs through Aug. 4. "Finn Style" includes Finnish landscape paintings by oil painter Laura Ahola-Young that interplay with stoneware vessels and cast bronze sculptures by Chris Koivisto. The show runs July 18 to Aug. 11. "Birch Lore" features bold canvas paintings by Finnish-American artist Joyce Koskenmaki that celebrate the birch and its forest inhabitants. The exhibit runs through July 30. Oiva Taikka also displays art glass birds. Visit www.laynekennedy.com, www.ledgerockpottery.com, webpages.charter.net/joycekoskenmaki and www.watersofsuperior.com.
