Celebrate First Friday in Calumet with art, holiday music

"Late Winter," Linocut (reduction), McCafferty Rudd Studio, is part of the Winter Gallery Exhibition opening Friday, Dec. 4, at the Vertin Gallery in Calumet. (Photo courtesy Vertin Gallery)

CALUMET -- First Friday in Calumet, Dec. 4, will offer gallery art exhibits and music events, some of which will continue on Saturday, Dec. 5, to coincide with the Poor Artists Sale at CLK Gymnasium (Calumet High School).*

Vertin Gallery opening for Winter Gallery Exhibition

The Vertin Gallery will host an opening reception for their Winter Gallery Exhibition from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. The public is invited and refreshments will be served. This exhibit of new work by the artists currently represented by the Vertin Gallery will continue through Jan. 6, 2010. The Vertin Gallery is at 220 Sixth Street in downtown Calumet.

Ed Gray Gallery to hold reception, Open House

The Miskwabik Ed Gray Gallery will host a Christmas Show, a juried, all-media open show, with a reception from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4. The Gallery, Studio and Miskwabik Press will also welcome visitors to an Open House Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6. The Gallery is at 109 Fifth Street in Calumet. Call 906-337-5970 for information.

Copper Country Associated Artists to celebrate 50th Birthday

Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAC) will celebrate their 50th Birthday with a Scherenschnitte event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at the CCAC Studio/Gallery, 112 Fifth Street in Calumet. Scherenschnitte is a German name for the ancient art of cutting paper into decorations, which can include silhouettes, scenes, cards, Christmas items and many more possibilities.

Christmas tree made through the paper-cutting art of Scherenschnitte. (Image courtesy Copper Country Associated Artists)

German settlers brought this folk art to colonial Pennsylvania during the 17th and 18th centuries. The public is invited to join artist Millie Little and transform a simple piece of paper into a holiday keepsake. (Bring a pair of small scissors if you can.)

In addition, as part of the birthday celebration, CCAC member-donated works of art will sell for $50 each, and some for smaller amounts.

Calumet Art Center to host Holiday Music Concert

The Calumet Art Center will host a double program at their Holiday Music Concert on Friday, Dec. 4. Jan Dalquist will play the pipe organ from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Monica Rovano and Friends will offer Christmas Carols from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Art Center. Musicians will include Monica Rovano, piano and voice; Julia Feeley and Dave Moorehouse, violin; and Ethan Arten, guitar. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.

The Calumet Art Center is at 57055 Fifth Street. Call 906-281-3494 for information.

Tamarack Trading Co. to host events Dec. 4, 5

Tamarack Trading Company, 300 Fifth Street, Calumet, will be hosting two events this weekend.

The talented duo of Heaven Hawkins and Tony Laux, on guitar, entertain regularly at the Tamarack Trading Co. art events. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Friday night, Dec. 4, will be the scene of live music with Heaven and Tony -- an eclectic mix of folk, rock and blues. Refreshments will be served.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday afternoon, Dec. 5, artist Stuart Baird will unveil his latest wood carving at Tamarack Trading Company. Baird recently presented a carving of the Michigan state bird -- the Robin -- to Governor Granholm.

One of Stuart Baird's wood carvings on display at the Tamarack Trading Co. In the background is a photo of Baird with Governor Granholm and his sculpture of the Robin. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Baird's artwork is masterfully done and often looked upon as a taxidermy mount. It needs to be touched to realize its a painted woodcarving. We look forward to his next creation. Refreshments will be served.

*Read about the Copper Country Arts Council's Poor Artists Sale.