Copper Country Associated Artists host Eagle Harbor VIRTUAL Art Fair

Superior Symphony. Acrylic landscape, by Julie Highlen of Northwoods Art Studio. (Image © Julie Highlen and courtesy Copper Country Associated Artists)

CALUMET -- In May of this year, Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) was obliged to postpone the 60th Annual Eagle Harbor Art Fair because of the pandemic. While the 60th Annual event is now scheduled for August 2021, CCAA is now hosting an Eagle Harbor Virtual Art Fair Web page in order to continue the tradition of CCAA and support Art Fair vendors, CCAA and its members.

The Virtual Art Fair web page has two sections. The first section is the Eagle Harbor Art Fair Vendors. The second section of the page is CCAA Member Artists. Each artist has a small area with photos of their work; a bio and artist statement; and a link to the artist's website, Etsy page or Facebook page.

According to CCAA member Miriam Pickens, "The Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) has supported local and regional artists in many ways and for many years. It has evolved from a small group meeting in homes and churches, to a well-established co-op gallery in the heart of the Calumet Art District. This group has faced hurdles before; and because of their nimbleness, determination and creativity, they have always met these challenges with progress."*

The Copper Country Associated Artists (CCAA) gallery in Calumet, while supporting local artists, has been the scene of many art events open to the public, including free First Friday workshops. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. (Photo courtesy Copper Country Associated Artists)

Cynthia Coté, executive director of the Copper Country Community Arts Center in Hancock, recalls the history and important legacy of the Copper Country Associated Artists as the oldest art organization in the Copper Country.

"The earliest formal meeting of the CCAA was in December 1958," Coté notes. "As stated in their history, 'The purpose was to promote local craftsmen and improve quality of their work by evaluation and discussion with others in the same field.'" **

To see the Virtual Art Fair, please visit https://ccaartists.org/eh-art-fair-virtual/

Please take a moment to check out this virtual Art Fair. Learn about the artists and see examples of their work. And if you see an art object that you like, support the CCAA by making a purchase.

Editor's Notes:

* This quote is taken from The Daily Mining Gazette Arts Corner column written by Miriam Pickens. Reprinted here with permission.

** Taken from Cynthia Coté's statement quoted by Miriam Pickens in her Gazette column. Reprinted here with permission.

Portage Library, Community Arts Center to host Butterfly Talks by Miriam Pickens

Butterfly near Maasto Hiihto Trails. (Photo © and courtesy Miriam Pickens)

HOUGHTON-HANCOCK -- Miriam Pickens, artist and photographer, will offer two presentations on butterflies this week --  on Thursday, July 6, at the Portage Lake District Library in Houghton and on Saturday, July 8, at the Copper Country Community Arts Center in Hancock.

Portage Lake District Library: "Butterflies, Skippers and Their Place in the Lepidopteran World"

The Portage Lake District Library will host Miriam Pickens for an evening learning about species of butterflies that live in the Keweenaw at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 6.

Pickens’ slide show presentation, "Butterflies, Skippers and Their Place in the Lepidopteran World," will feature species of butterflies that are likely to visit local gardens and fields. Participants will learn butterfly basics that include how butterflies differ from moths, what kinds of flowers butterflies feed on, and more. There will be time for questions from the audience following the presentation. Signed copies of her recently published book, Butterflies of the Maasto Hiihto Trails, Hancock, MI, will also be available for sale. The event is free and open to the public.

Copper Country Community Arts Center: Photographing Butterflies of the Maasto Hiihto Trails

At the Community Arts Center's Second Saturday Coffee Talk at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, Miriam Pickens will share stories and discuss her adventures butterflying in the Keweenaw. She has self-published a book on these insects, and her photographs are sold as cards and 8X10 prints. She also uses her butterfly photos as inspiration for painting on pottery. Learn about the local butterflies, and get some pointers on photographing them successfully.

Coffee Talks take place at the Copper Country Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. Coffee talks with artists are free and informal. Coffee is provided by KC Bonkers Toys and Coffee. Please call the Arts Center at 482-2333 if you’d like to attend.