First Friday in Calumet offers art exhibits, music, benefit for Haiti

CALUMET -- First Friday in Calumet offers a variety of art exhibits and events as well as musical entertainment on Feb. 5.

Copper Country Associated Artists: Sketching with Clyde Mikkola

The First Friday Feature of the Copper Country Associated Artists Gallery (CCAA) on Friday, Feb. 5, will be sketching with member Clyde Mikkola.

The emphasis will be that drawing is learning to see with a pencil. This poses an interesting sketching question: Does the eye need the pencil or does the pencil need the eye? The instruction will be individualized and adapted to students' learning styles.

Mikkola graduated from the University of Michigan in 1976 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in painting. In school and afterwards he did much exploring and experimenting, trying a great variety of media and styles. In addition to creating his work, he has been teaching for many years in the Copper Country.

"Much to my surprise, I found depicting and interpreting the people and world around me to be the most fun," Mikkola says, "giving me the greatest challenge and satisfaction."

First Friday CCAA demonstrations are an opportunity to introduce visitors to a variety of arts and fine craft techniques by some of the area’s most talented practitioners.

The CCAA Gallery is located at 112 Fifth Street in Calumet. Winter Gallery hours are Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. First Fridays, the Gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information about the CCAA call 906-337-1252 or visit their web site at ccaartists.org.

Vertin Gallery: Stephanie Trevino

The February exhibit at the Vertin Gallery, "Dolls and Dress Up by Stephanie Trevino," opens with a reception from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5. The exhibit continues through March 3, 2010.

Stephanie Trevino is a self-taught photographer and studio arts student at Finlandia University. She shoots film and digital, though recently most of her work has been film-based, using an array of plastic, vintage and homemade pinhole cameras. She has lived in the Copper Country off and on all her life and currently resides in Hubbell, Mich.

The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. The Vertin Gallery's winter hours are Mon. - Sat., 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Miskwabik Ed Gray Gallery

An opening reception for the "Miniature Show" will be held from 6:30 - 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at the Miskwabik Ed Gray Gallery, 109 Fifth St. in Calumet.

This is an all-media, juried open show.

Music by John Munson at Café After Hours

After the Gallery exhibits stop in at the Conglomerate Café, 104 Fifth St., to hear music by John Munson at the piano from 8 p.m. - 11 p.m. -- a new Friday feature. Wine, beer and tasty treats are available. The Conglomerate Café is open from 7 p.m. to midnight on Fridays.

Calumet Art Center benefit for Haiti

Remember to stop in at the Calumet Art Center Friday, Feb. 5, for music and art to benefit disaster relief efforts in Haiti. Click here for our previous article.