Community Arts Center to hold open house, reception for "Art from the Kalevala" exhibit Jan. 25

These art works by Edith Marshall, left, and Daniel Schneider are part of the "Art from the Kalevala" group exhibit on display in the Kerredge Gallery of the Copper Country Community Arts Center through Jan. 31, 2014. An open house and reception will be held for the artists in conjunction with Hancock's Heikinpäivä mid-winter festival Saturday, Jan. 25. (Photos courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center will hold an open house reception for "Art from the Kalevala" with Finnish style refreshments from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, during the Heikinpäivä celebrations!

Art by K. Carlton Johnson, part of the "Art from the Kalevala" exhibit.

"Art from the Kalevala" is a group exhibition that will be on display at the Copper Country Community Arts Center’s Kerredge Gallery through Jan. 31, 2014. The exhibit coincides with Heikinpäivä, Hancock’s mid-winter festival.

The Kalevala is a 19th-century work of poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Finnish and Karelian oral folklore and mythology. It is regarded as the national epic poem of Finland and is one of the most significant works of Finnish literature. Its rich imagery provides a hearty topic for visual art. Ten artists are included in the exhibition with their interpretations of passages, also called runes or runos, from the Kalevala.

Also inspired by the Kalevala are these pieces by Kris Raisanen Shourek, left, and Joyce Koskenmaki.

Artists in the exhibition include Bob Dawson, Constance Stockwell Johnson, K. Carlton Johnson, Edith Marshall, Joyce Koskenmaki, Eric Munch, Cynthia Coté, Kris Raisanen Schourek, Leona Blessing, and Daniel Schneider.

The Copper Country Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. For more information call: 906-482-2333.

Call for art entries: "Art from the Kalevala" exhibit, coming soon

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center is seeking entries for its "Art from the Kalevala" exhibit, which will take place in the Kerredge Gallery in conjunction with Hancock’s mid-winter festival, Heikinpäivä, taking place Jan. 12-28.

Swan of Tuonela, oil, by Joyce Koskenmaki. From a previous "Art from the Kalevala" exhibit. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

"If the river-swan you shoot me,

Shoot the great bird on the river,

There on Tuoni's murky river..."

The Kalevala is an important literary work and is the epic poem of Finland. Since its rich imagery provides a hearty topic for visual art, the exhibit fits nicely with the festival. Many people come to Hancock during this time and will enjoy the exhibition’s connection with Finnish culture.

Artists may submit up to three pieces. Please include the lines from the Kalevala that inspired your work. There is no fee to participate but there is a 40 percent commission on any work sold. If your art is not for sale please note "NFS."

Please deliver your work to the Community Arts Center during the following dates: from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday - Friday, Jan. 8-10, or from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11.

The Community Arts Center will host an Open House Reception from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, during Heikinpäivä Mid-winter Festival.

The Copper Country Community Arts Center is at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. For more information email: cynthia@coppercountryarts.com or call 906-482-2333.