Closing reception for Finnish textile artist Aino Kajaniemi's exhibit is Feb. 19 at Finlandia Gallery

Textile art by Finnish artist Aino Kajaniemi. A closing reception will be held at 7 p.m. TONIGHT, Feb. 19, in the Finlandia University Gallery in Hancock. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

HANCOCK -- A closing reception for Finnish textile artist Aino Kajaniemi’s "Dreams and Memories" exhibit is from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Thursday, Feb. 19, at the Finlandia University Gallery in the Finnish American Heritage Center.

Anita Jain, director of Common Strands, a non-profit International fiber art exchange organization based in Minneapolis, will present a talk about Aino Kajaniemi's work beginning at 7:15 p.m.

Aino Kajaniemi, Finland's 2010 Textile Artist of the Year. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

Aino Kajaniemi, Finland's 2010 Textile Artist of the Year, uses the historic Scandinavian textile tradition as a medium for exploring contemporary individual and community emotion and memories. In her adept hands, the traditional tapestry medium -- one with a rich cultural history -- is transformed into something simultaneously both familiar and cutting-edge.

"My textiles are my way of thinking," says Kajaniemi. "I want to produce the objects of my wonderings into something concrete, so that I could understand them. The subjects of my works usually originate from the inmost of a human being: sorrow, joy, uncertainty, guilt, tenderness and memories."

Next at the gallery

The next exhibit at the gallery will be the annual Finlandia University International School of Art and Design Faculty Exhibit, beginning with an opening reception at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26. It will continue through March 24. More details on the upcoming exhibit will be released soon.

New exhibits, art activities open to all on First Friday in Calumet, Nov. 7

"Pipestone Dreams," litho by Lillian Pitt. Her work will be on exhibit this month at Galerie Bohème in Calumet. (Image courtesy Galerie Bohème)

CALUMET -- First Friday, Nov. 7, in Calumet will feature several art exhibit openings and activities by the following members of the Calumet Art District.

Calumet Art Center Open Studio

First, stop in at the Calumet Art Center (CAC) for an Open Studio where you can find the space you need as well as inspiration to start, continue or finish your own personal art project.

Karena Schmidt, Calumet Art Center volunteer, demonstrates twining to visitors during a First Friday Open Studio. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

If you've seen announcements regarding CAC classes for twining and wondered how it's done, stop in to see what "twining" is all about. Several people have dropped by and signed up for this class. CAC has twining projects in progress for you to enjoy. Find your inspiration while touring the center and open studios featuring looms of all types, lamp work bead station, library and writing studio and the clay studio where there are always works in progress.

Artist Gordon Borsvold, who taught a woodworking class at the Calumet Art Center last summer, examines a wood sculpture done by one of his students. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Learn about CAC's recent classes, projects and upcoming events. The Calumet Art Center is at 57055 Fifth Street. For more information call (906) 934-2228.

Galerie Bohème: Art by Lillian Pitt

This First Friday Galerie Bohème will exhibit intaglio, linocut and litho prints by Lillian Pitt. Lillian is a widely known and collected Native American visual artist and activist working in the Pacific Northwest. A reception will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

 

Artist Lillian Pitt. (Photo courtesy Galerie Bohème)

"Currently, Lil is packing for a trip to New Zealand, where she has been studying the Maori art of intimidation," says Galerie Bohème host Tom Rudd. "Lil is a good friend, and after some arm twisting (on my part) and stressing (on her part) sent me a suite of prints to show at the Bohème. So, come on by this Friday from 6:30 to 9 and check them out. They are very collectible. Also you can have a plastic cuppa and a crumpet, and visit with friends while you enjoy the artworks."

Galerie Bohème is at 423 5th Street in Calumet. Call 906-369-4087 for more information.

Paige Wiard Gallery: "Fiber on Fifth"

 An example of the fiber art that will be on display at Paige Wiard Gallery this month. (Photo courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

The art work of fiber artists from across Michigan and the country will be featured in the November show, "Fiber on Fifth," at Paige Wiard Gallery in Calumet. Each artist puts a unique spin on the natural elements of fiber to create pieces of art that express the artist's passions.

Fiber art, part of the "Fiber on Fifth" display at Paige Wiard Gallery, opening First Friday, Nov. 7.

An open reception will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on First Friday, Nov. 7, at Paige Wiard Gallery at 109 Fifth St, Calumet. For more information call 906-337-5970 or email at paigewiardgallery@gmail.com.

Copper Country Associated Artists Gallery: "Paper Weaving"

Copper Country Associated Artists Gallery, at 205 Fifth St., will hold a workshop in "Paper Weaving" from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. Learn how to weave paper into designs that can be used to make your Thanksgiving or Christmas cards this season. All ages are welcome. No reservations needed.

For more information contact the Gallery at 337-1252 or call Pam, CCAA chairperson, at 337-2274.

Café Rosetta: Art by Richard Buckho and poetry reading

Café Rosetta will be hosting "Richard Buckho: Calumet on Canvas" -- images of Calumet and surrounding areas printed on superior quality -- past and original, and slightly unusual.

Stop in for a poetry reading from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Share your latest creation or poem from your favorite poet. Browse the used books and enjoy a hot drink or homemade treat!

Hahn Hammered Copper: "Guess the Mystery Object"

Hahn Hammered Copper invites First Friday visitors to stop in and see what's new in their reclaimed, repurposed, artful salvaged items. The Hahns will be having another "Guess the Mystery Object" contest. The person who guesses correctly wins a hand-made copper zipper pull.

Cross Country Sports: Photography by Jeremy Rowe

For the month of November, Cross Country Sports will feature work by Jeremy Rowe of Keweenaw Night Sky Photography. Jeremy uses long-exposure photography to capture spectacular views of the Northern Lights and landscapes of favorite places along the north shore of the Keweenaw, where he spends a lot of time monitoring the skies.

Photography by Jeremy Rowe of Keweenaw Night Sky Photography will be the November exhibit at Cross Country Sports, with an open house for the artist on First Friday, Nov. 7. (Photo © 2014 and courtesy Jeremy M. Rowe)

The images are processed onto specially coated aluminum sheets with dyes that are infused directly into the surface, adding a breathtaking luminescence as well as durability. In addition to his metal prints, Jeremy will show time-lapse videos of some of his favorite night sky scenes, set to original music which he composes and produces. 2015 calendars featuring some of his best photos of the year will be available in mid-November. Enjoy an open house and refreshments and meet the artist from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, at 507 Oak Street. For more information call 337-4520.

Paige Wiard Gallery accepting fiber art for November show, "Fiber on Fifth"

An example of fiber art is this Poppy by Bill and Linda Sumner. (Photos courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

CALUMET -- "Fiber on Fifth" will be the November Show at The Paige Wiard Gallery in Calumet. The art work of fiber artists from across Michigan and the country will be featured in the show. This show reflects all forms of natural fiber, including fiber, paper and wood. Artwork for this show can be submitted up to Monday, Oct. 28.

Hand-dyed silk scarves by Linda Phillips.

Each artist puts a unique spin on the natural elements of fiber to create pieces of art that express his or her passions. An open reception for the the show will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on First Friday, Nov. 1.

Wood work by Steve Schlumpf.

The Paige Wiard Gallery is at 109 Fifth St, Calumet. For more information email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com or call the gallery at 337-5970.

Reflection Gallery to exhibit art by Phyllis Fredendall Dec. 6 - Jan. 31

South Face, fiber art by Phyllis Fredendall, is part of her exhibit "Look Both Ways…New and Used Works" in the Reflection Gallery in Hancock. (Photos courtesy Finlandia University)

HANCOCK -- The Finlandia University Reflection Gallery, Hancock, will host an exhibit of past, recent, and new work by Hancock artist Phyllis Fredendall from Dec. 6, 2012, to Jan. 31, 2013.

An opening reception for the artist will be held at the Reflection Gallery from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 6. The reception is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served.

"Look Both Ways…New and Used Works" is a retrospective exhibit of Fredendall’s work that highlights the many ideas and memories that appear in her work.

Artist Phyllis Fredendall is professor of fiber and fashion design at Finlandia University's International School of Art and Design. 

"This has been a chance to gather favorite pieces that are in the collections of friends and family and reconsider them in the light of more recent work," Fredendall says. "Bodies of work document phases in the artist’s life. Family history, political events, maps, the relationship of place to memory, and the mine shafts all have served as inspiration."

A connection to Finland strengthens Fredendall’s work. In fact, it was there that she discovered her love of felting.

 Vaari's Passage, by Phyllis Fredendall.

"The unique properties of wool have kept my attention since I learned hands-on felt making techniques 15 years ago in Finland," Fredendall says. "But it was on Isle Royale when I realized that I could use this great medium to chart the paths of humans and animals that so fascinated me. That was 2002, and I have been working with wool as an art medium ever since."

Maps, pathways, and waterways; curves, lines, shapes, and color; wool, silk, and beads … and memory. All of these things are incorporated in Fredendall’s body of work, which she describes a "human attempt to reflect the complexity and glory of this precious planet."

 Of  Relics and Remembered Treasures, fiber art by Phyllis Fredendall.

Fredendall is a professor of fiber and fashion design at Finlandia University, where she has taught for almost twenty years. She has a master of fine arts from Goddard College, Plainfield, Vt. Her work has been exhibited in Finland and nationwide.

The Reflection Gallery is located on the second level of Finlandia’s Jutila Center campus, 200 Michigan Street, Hancock, MI 49930.

For additional information, call 906-487-7500 or e-mail finlandiareflectiongallery@gmail.com.