Community Arts Center to host reception for Art from the Kalevala Jan. 31 during Heikinpäivä

Scene from the Kalevala by Robert Obaga. (Photos courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center presents Art from the Kalevala, a group exhibition coinciding with the City of Hancock’s Heikinpäivä mid-winter celebration. 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.

Bear. Kalevala art by Joyce Koskenmaki.

The reception will take place from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Arts Center. Finnish style refreshments will be served.

Artists taking part in this year’s exhibition in the Kerredge Gallery are Kris Raisanen Schourek, Harriet King, Joyce Koskenmaki, Cynthia Coté, Bob Dawson, Robert Obaga, Phyllis Fredendall, Eric Munch, Bonnie Loukus and Hilka Karhumaa Brown. The works include paintings in gouache, acrylic, pastels and oil; fiber art; photography; drawing on handmade paper; and digital art.

Kalevala painting by Harriet King.

Exhibitions are supported by a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Copper Country Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m - 6 p.m. and Saturdays 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.. For more information call 482-2333 or visit the website www.coppercountryarts.com.

Community Arts Center seeks art works for 2015 Art from the Kalevala exhibit

These art works, by Kris Raisanen Shourek (left) and Joyce Koskenmaki, were part of the January 2014 Art from the Kalevala exhibit at the Copper Country Community Arts Center. (File photo courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

HANCOCK -- 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.

The Copper Country Community Arts Center will host an exhibition of art inspired by the Kalevala in connection with Hancock’s mid-winter Heikinpäivä celebration in January. Artists may submit up to three original works in any medium along with the rune or lines from the poem from which the artwork was inspired.

There is no fee to participate. The art works should be delivered to the Community Arts Center between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. A closing reception will be held from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. For more information call (906) 482-2333 or email cynthia@coppercountryarts.com. The Copper Country Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock.