IMG_3256.jpg

Inspiring, Nurturing

& Celebrating
the Arts


WINTER HOURS: Thur & Fri 10-4 Sat 9-1

Summer Hours (Starting May 1): Wed, Thur & Fri 10-4 Sat 9-1

Let's Soar…photograph it…enjoy it, share it! #NorthwoodsFriendsOfTheArts #LetsSoar @NWFAMN

Happening Now

  • In November the NWFA Gallery featured am exhibit called “Native American Art:

    Past and Present”. On Nov. 16th Minnesota Public Radio presented a short

    feature about NWFA’s exhibit on the program called “Art Hounds”. Each week

    MPR’s Emily Bright interviews art hounds who want to share art from throughout

    Minnesota with the public radio audience. Payton Counts and Theresa Drift were

    the art hounds for the poignant exhibit put together by our local Native American

    communities at Northwoods Friends of the Arts.

    Members, you may listen to the two minute broadcast by googling

    MPRNEWS.ORG and select Art Hounds and scroll to Nov. 16th, 2023.

    Here's more information on who can be an Art Hound:

    https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/04/29/want-to-be-an-art-hound-heres-what-you-need-to-know.

    Let’s see if NWFA art can be featured again soon!

  • GREETINGS NWFA MEMBERS ......MARCH 6, 2024

    Popular Vote Photo Contest Exhibit Begins TOMORROW, March 7

    The contest title, “A Closer Look” exhibiting March 7-29, means more than a magnified image. It’s a challenge to photographers to delve into the details, the mysteries, the shadows, or the character of faces in our world. Photos may be submitted featuring portraits, flora, fauna or objects in detail. It is a contest and a fun fundraiser. See examples of last year’s winner at Northwoods Friends of the Arts website: www.nwfamn.org.

    TOMORROW!!!

    The contest exhibit & public VOTING begins Thurs., March 7 until Fri. the 29th. The exhibit and voting is anonymous until the gala RECEPTION on March 29 5-7pm, when the two winners are announced. The two most popular photos/photographers will receive $100 and $50.

    Enjoy visiting and shopping the nonprofit NWFA Gallery during the contest exhibit & public VOTING from March 7 to the 29, 2024. This membership arts organization exhibits the art of 30-40 artists year round as well as sponsoring diverse art classes and concerts.

    PIATIGORSKY CONCERTS will be performed near and in Cook, Thursday, March 7 p.m. at 1:00 p.m. at North Woods School (10248 Olson Rd. E.) and, for the public, on Thursday evening 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church (231 2nd St. E.) .

    For over 33 years, The Piatigorsky Foundation’s commitment to artistic excellence and public outreach has fascinated many avid concert goers as well as curious first timers. It is this combination of complimentary access, flamboyant performances, and human warmth that makes Piatigorsky Foundation concerts so appealing to diverse audiences. Last season, the Foundation presented a tour of 8 concerts in Minnesota reaching over 545 people in Silver Bay, Arlington, Cook and Bigfork. Likewise, this year The Piatigorsky Foundation aims to reach hundreds of people across Minnesota to increase awareness and appreciation of classical music in communities throughout the state.

    Pianist WAN-CHI SU has performed as a soloist and collaborative artist in Asia, Europe, and the United States in major venues, including Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall and Salle Cortot in Paris. Born in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, Dr. Su began piano lessons at the age of four. She earned a bachelor’s degree in piano while minoring in French horn at the National Kaohsiung Normal University in Taiwan and has obtained a Master of Music, a Graduate Performance Diploma, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Su currently serves on the faculty at Georgetown University, Loyola University Maryland, and the Park School of Baltimore.

    About The Piatigorsky Foundation: Evan Drachman established The Piatigorsky Foundation in 1990 in honor of his grandfather Gregor Piatigorsky. Piatigorsky deeply believed in the healing and inspirational power of classical music. He once said, “Music makes life better. Music is a necessity. It is rich. It is imaginative. It is magnificent. And it is for everyone.” The Piatigorsky Foundation is committed to carrying on Piatigorsky’s mission by evoking cultural curiosity through educational and accessible live performances.

    The evening concert at Trinity Lutheran will be offered for a free will offering concert organized by Northwoods Friends of the Arts (NWFA). The school concert will be presented to children thanks to the financial aid of the Cook Lions Club.

    New art classes are being planned for 2024 and the costs are kept to the minimum. Registration is required so contact NWFA through email, nwfamn.org@gmail.com, or call Alberta at 218 666-2153 to register for the class. Membership is not required. Seek information about more classes at the website: NWFAMN.ORG and email at nwfamn.org@gmail.com.

    Here is the most recent list…..

    Thurs., April 18th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at NWFA Gallery there will be a drawing class called BALLPOINT PEN DRAWING FOR BEGINNERS: Jim DeVries will lead students through the process of choosing a subject, developing composition and choosing the right tool….in this case a ball point pen. $15/members; $20/non-members. All supplies provided.

    Thurs. & Fri., May 9 & 10, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day, A watercolor workshop, “Keeping It Simple” . Doug Johnson Recreation Center, Cook, MN. $80/members; $95/non-members. A workshop presented by award winning Instructor, Mary Beth Downs, returning to NWFA. The Workshop will focus on learning to work with a simple design and limited color to create a successful painting. There will be demonstrations to guide students. The class is perfect for all levels.

    Thurs., May 23rd; from 12 to 2 p.m. . Kris Musto will present “Your Story As Art” at NWFA Gallery in the Wolfe Den Classroom. Create a visual presentation of your story by use of drawing, collage, paint and paper will be provided plus materials you bring. This class is appropriate for ages 12 to 90+. $15/members; $20/non-members

    Wed., May 29th from 10 to 4 p.m. Kathy Sacchetti presents “Paint A Barn Quilt”. $30/members; $45/non0members. Materials provided at NWFA Gallery. Limited to 8 students.

    Thurs., June 13 from 12 to 2 p.m. Kris Musto will present “Watercolor Play for Kids”. A fun instructional class for kids to learn about painting with watercolors! There will be discussion about techniques, color, paper and other factors that make watercolor painting unique. Free of charge

    Good Stuff Art Sale will be featured at the gallery in April. Donated goods stuff must be delivered to the gallery by end of March.

    High School Students’ Art Exhibit in May.

    OPEN ART on EACH Monday from 6 to 8 p.m.: Join fellow artists and do art together each and every Monday at NWFA Gallery. Registration or membership is not required and everyone is welcome to join in.

    ************************

    The Lyric center is beginning their exhibit for this year's Open Water show, which will run May and June. Themes remain as a celebration of "Spring Awakening" and whatever that means to you through your creations.

    If you are interested in exhibiting, please email us here. We will be back in the regular gallery space again (with overflow in The Annex), so we can accept 1-4 pieces per artist (depending on size).

    The opening will be on March 9 with a reception on May 8 (4-6pm). And take down will be the final Saturday of June.

    As usual, please email us back here with questions and submissions and feel free to share with friends that may be interested as well! We can't wait for Spring!

    Lyric Center for the Arts Operations Manager

    510 Chestnut St.

    Virginia, MN 55792

    218-741-5577

    www.lyriccenteronline.org

    NWFA Gallery at 210 S. River St., next to Dream Weaver Day Spa and Salon is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays during the Winter. To contact NWFA use the email address, nwfamn.org@gmail.com, or www.nwfamn.org.

  • Each Monday artists are invited to "do art" with others at NWFA gallery from 6 to 8 p.m. No registration required. Hope to see you there!

  • The popular Wings Mural in Cook City Park by the Library and gazebo, has been duplicated and set back in place! The original was made up of feathers painted by children during NWFA Summer classes . Thanks to Lyn Reed and Lauren Nelson. The mural is up now, go check it out!

  • The winners have been announced! Check out the winners here! Thank you to all that participated!

  • Attention Artists & Crafters
    Coming soon to Cook, MN

    Gather your arts and crafts and exhibit them at Northwoods Friends of The Arts gallery through June!

    Pay no commission on items sold at our gallery!

    Fee: $15 NWFA Members
    $30 Non FWFA Members

    More info to come!

Classes & Events

Did you know that Volunteers run Northwoods Friends of the Arts?

Priscilla Hiipakka is the volunteer coordinator and would love to have you stop in the gallery or contact her at nwfamn.org@gmail.com to volunteer. Some training is required and Artists exhibiting at the gallery may volunteer to work in lieu of the rent fee.

Writing Publicity for NWFA:

It’s fun and challenging and the volunteer experience looks good on a resume. Publicity is so very important to gallery. Do you know publicity or are you interested in learning? Email us at nwfamn.org@gmail.com and we can set up a class on ‘Publicity’.

Showing-n-Selling jewelry, watercolors, woodcarvings, textiles, greeting cards, oil paintings, stained glass, pottery/ceramics, mixed media, photography, crafts and more!

We work with community businesses, local schools, other arts organizations, and individual artists to provide a variety of quality arts experiences for  Cook and the surrounding area residents.

There’s an ART for everyone here at NWFA!

 You’ll find listings for painting classes, pottery, weaving and special youth painting and crafts classes offered on a regular basis in our classroom area. We also feature a summer writing class, concerts throughout the year, dance and drama performances and literary readings, too.

Literary readings and book signings are held here, too. So there’s always something of interest taking place in the gallery along with the lovely display of “Up North” artwork, prefect for your enjoyment and gift ideas.

Classes and workshops are taught by Gallery Members as well instructors from out of the immediate area.

Look around our site and discover all we offer and learn how we can make your art blossom!

Certain activities by NWFA are made possible in part by a grant provided by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC) and is funded, in part, by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.   
Northwoods Friends of the Arts (NWFA) Copyright © 2011-2015 All Rights Reserved Northwoods Friends of the Arts (NWFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. No copies of text or photographs are to be made without permission by NWFA​

Northwoods Friends of the Arts Gallery (NWFA)
Your Community-Based Non-Profit Arts Organization!

Staffed by: Volunteer Members
210 River Street, Cook, Minnesota
218-780-7130
Come Visit and Shop NWFA GALLERY