In front of Hancock's Finnish American Heritage Center, several "Grandma Doors" depict the history of local residents' notable ancestors. (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)HANCOCK -- The Grandma Doors Celebration will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, in downtown Hancock. The event has been postponed twice because of rainy weather. The public is invited to walk and view the doors, enjoy street musicians on every block and taste refreshments at participating businesses along the way.
In addition, everyone is invited to take the Grandma Door Quiz to win one of many prizes donated by local merchants. Be the first to answer correctly all 15 questions and win a prize! The first prize is a laptop computer from Computer Graphics, while second prize is a 26-inch mountain bike from Hancock Bike Shop. Many other prizes will be awarded, including 18 holes of golf, cash, tickets to cultural events and gift certificates. Ten of the 15 questions are available ahead of time. Five new questions will be available at the Hancock Commons between the Post Office and Northern Mutual on Quincy Street at 6 p.m. Friday night, Oct. 5, as the event begins.
Some of the Grandma Doors, like this one in front of the Hancock Middle School, display collages of photos and mementos as well as stories. (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)The “ladies on doors” are bringing a great number of family histories to the street. Not only are they ensuring local histories don’t vanish, but they are perking up downtown, utilizing out-of-use doors and showcasing the creativity of this community. The Grandma Doors identify Hancock as a tourist destination offering art, education, history and recycling. Each door stands in front of a business, often telling the owners’ history, or in front of other Hancock landmarks, such as the Middle School and the Finnish American Heritage Center.
Hockey must have been important to this Grandma. See her door in front of the Hancock Middle School to find out why. (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)"This public art project proclaims the power of creativity and community like nothing else can,” said Mary Wright, project coordinator. “The project has been significantly invigorated with the competent and versatile help of young people doing community service."
The Grandma Door project is a way to celebrate the lives of women. People are invited to share their family histories by providing family photos and brief stories or biographies. Prototypes for the Grandma Doors were first seen during Heikinpäivä last January. The creation of Grandma Doors officially began in June with support from the Coalition for Grief and Bereavement and work sessions at the Community Arts Center.
Cynthia Coté, director of the Community Arts Center, noted, "The beauty of public art is that it engages people in art -- people who may not otherwise see how art fits into their lives."
Here is an example of a door celebrating two generations of Grandmas. Elsie Maria Perala Tuisku made "the best pancakes in the world, " while her mother, Jenny Perala, born in Finland, "always had time for her grandchildren and that plate of molasses cookies!!" (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)The ongoing project has close to 100 doors, many of them featuring both sides of the family on either side of the door. The project has involved hundreds of people including students from Hancock and Ontonagon high schools, families, individuals and artists. Several artists in residence have assisted individuals in executing their ideas from photographs of the honored matriarchs.
Rick Kauppila, Hancock native and owner of UP Fabricating in Rock, Michigan, constructed and donated the metal support stands for each door. Additional support for the project came from Upper Peninsula Power Company, Portage Health Systems, Hancock Business and Professionals Association, Finlandia University’s Finnish American Heritage Center, the Copper Country Community Arts Council, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the City of Hancock.
The Hancock City Council, in fact, voted on Sept. 19 to contribute an additional $1000 to the project.
Families are making pilgrimages to visit the Door project, which inspires visitors and residents alike to park their cars, walk the streets, look at the images and spend time reading the stories.
One resident was heard to say, "Mary, you’re turning Hancock into a walkable community."
For more information call Mary Wright at (906) 361-5548 or the Community Arts Center at 482-2333.
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