Calumet Art District to offer Omphale Reopening plus art exhibits, activities, receptions for First Friday, Jan. 2

American Copper. This butterfly photo by Miriam Pickens is part of "The Butterfly Show" at the Omphale Gallery and Café, which will reopen on First Friday, Jan. 2, 2015. (Photo courtesy Miriam Pickens)

CALUMET -- The Calumet Art District welcomes 2015 with a wide array of Gallery Shows and the reopening of the famous Omphale Gallery and Café this First Friday, Jan. 2.

Omphale Gallery and Café: Reopening, "Butterfly Show," live music

The Omphale Gallery and Café, at 431 Fifth St. in Calumet, is reopening with a new menu and a special First Friday meal, courtesy of Chef Mike Porter of the Eagle Café (Eagle Harbor) and the Miscowaubik Club.

During January and February, the Omphale gallery will feature "The Butterfly Show" with works by Karen Runvik and Miriam Pickens. Karen fills her transparent watercolors with vibrant colors and light as she enjoys capturing the essence of the beauty of flowers and their pollinators. She currently spends her time at her woodland studio in the the Baraga area. Miriam has been taking close-up photos of the butterflies of the Maasto Hiihto trails in Hancock. She has photographed over 50 species and incorporates these and other delightful creatures in her work with ceramics.

Art by Karen Runvik, part of "The Butterfly Show" at the Omphale Gallery and Café. (Image courtesy Miriam Pickens)

The two will be presenting their works this First Friday evening, Jan. 2. During the Opening, enjoy the live music, visit with the artists and view their matted photographs, prints and portfolios. Please call Chef Mike at 235-9191 for more information.

Update: According to their Facebook page, the Omphale is now called the Omphale Restaurant and Gallery. Reservations are appreciated for dinner. Visit their Facebook page for the tentative menu.

Calumet Art Center: Open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 2

The Calumet Art Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on First Friday, Jan. 2, but will be closed for the evening. Karena Schmidt is offering a felted mittens class on Thursday evenings in January and February, and there are still a few openings. The staff at the Calumet Art Center wishes you a Happy New Year, and will see you at First Friday in February. For more information call 934-2228.

Paige Wiard Gallery: Opening Reception

Art by Jerry Eppel, on exhibit at the Paige Wiard Gallery. (Photo courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

For the month of January the Paige Wiard Gallery, 109 Fifth St., will be showing work from the talented artists that can be found in the gallery every day! Stop in and show your support for the artists that make this gallery so special. An opening reception will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. First Friday, Jan. 2. For more information call 906-337-5970 or email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com.

Galerie Bohème: Group show

This lovely doll by Margo McCafferty and Tom Rudd is part of the group show now at the Galerie Bohème in Calumet. (Photo courtesy Galerie Bohème.)

Galerie Bohème is pleased to bring you a group show featuring multiple local artists. Check out the six-foot-long sturgeon that Tom Rudd just completed. The opening reception will be from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 906-369-4087.

Galerie Bohème is at 423 Fifth St. in Calumet.

Copper Country Associated Artists : Dry wall carving

Dry wall carving will be the featured activity at Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) for First Friday, Jan. 2. Learn how to create a beautiful carved tile from a material that is readily available as scrap. As this requires the use of exacto-knives, participants will be restricted to older teens and adults. All materials will be provided, and the activity will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

During the winter, the CCAA Gallery will be open most Thursdays from 11 a.m. - noon and on first Fridays from about 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. as well as for special events such as the Copperdog 150.

The CCAA Gallery is at 205 Fifth St. Call 337-1252 for more information.

Cross Country Sports: Art by Greg Green

For the month of January, Cross Country Sports will feature new works by Calumet master painter Greg Green. His new paintings, titled "Winter, Buddha, and a Trip to the Circus," celebrate paint, shapes and color in an abstract expressionist style. Enjoy an open house, refreshments and talk with Greg from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2.

Cross Country Sports is at 507 Oak Street in Calumet.

Hahn Hammered Copper: New found objects

Hahn Hammered Copper will be participating in the Marquette-based "100 Day Project" again this year. The Hahns will be "Exploring Beauty" in the found object and will have new works on display monthly from now until the Spring Equinox. Stop in on First Friday and help guess the little brass Mystery Object. Whatever your taste, you're sure to find something at Hahn Hammered Copper, 203 Fifth Street.

Café Rosetta: Poetry Reading; art by Chris Schmidt

Café Rosetta is pleased to host a Community Poetry Reading and Original Short Stories, open mic beginning at 6 p.m. on First Friday, Jan. 2.

During the month of January, the art of Chris Schmidt, longtime bicycle racer and avid photographer, will be featured. Inspired by the Tour de France, Schmidt has been photographing races and creating posters, flyers and t-shirts. A winter collection of skiing and cycling images in photography and graphic art will be on display at Café Rosetta, 104 Fifth Street, during January.