Grand Marais Arts Festival Colors the North Shore July 10-11

GRAND MARAIS, Minn., June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 10 and 11, Grand Marais' harborside streets will once again play host to over 60 visual artists during the 20th Annual Arts Festival – "Fine Art on the Shores of Lake Superior." Hosted by the Grand Marais Art Colony, the event begins Saturday, July 10 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and runs through Sunday, July 11 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This year's juried participants represent a wide range of artistic disciplines and media, including ceramics, jewelry, glasswork, painting, prints, photography, wood, metalwork and mixed media. Some featured artists include woodblock printer Betsy Bowen, photographer John Caughlan, jewelry maker Shelley Alvin, potter Jasper Bond and painter Fern Belling.

The festival will kick off on Friday, July 9 at 5 p.m. with a potluck reception held at the Grand Marais Art Colony, providing visitors and art lovers a chance to meet exhibiting artists while celebrating the long tradition of fine arts on the shore of Lake Superior.

"Minnesota -- and the North Shore in particular – has a history of supporting the arts and is home to a richly talented pool of artists," said Sally Nankivell, executive director of the Cook County Visitors Bureau. "Our local artists draw inspiration from the dramatic landscape, the huge variety of wildlife and birds, and over a million acres of pristine forest. This festival showcases the talents of both homegrown artists and an impressive roster of national artists. We're thrilled to once again open up our streets and community for these artists along with a whole host of fun weekend activities."

In addition to the artists' booths lining the streets of downtown Grand Marais, the weekend offers numerous activities in conjunction with the festival. Live outdoor music, food vendors, silent auctions, fiber arts demonstrations, face-painting and stage arts will be offered throughout Saturday and Sunday on the festival grounds. On Saturday evening, Birchbark Books & Gifts will host "A Bowlful of Thanks," a fundraiser for the Grand Marais Art Colony in support of the Empty Bowls project and featuring remarks by local artist Betsy Bowen.

For a detailed schedule of events or more information about the Grand Marais Arts Festival or the Grand Marais Art Colony, visit www.grandmaraisartcolony.org, email [email protected] or phone 218-387-2737.

SOURCE Grand Marais Art Colony