Grand Marais Art Colony ANNUAL REPORT 2015 by Grand Marais Art Colony

Grand Marais Art Colony ANNUAL REPORT

2015

A Note from the Director There is a distinct natural beauty on the North Shore. You feel as if you are communing with the lake. The horizon line beckons your spirit; as Art Colony founder Birney Quick would say - “it straightens out the crooked thoughts.” We live in the North. Our home is rugged and the materials around us shine in the unfiltered light. It’s this magical home that provides a springboard for creative expression. This has been profoundly evident in the history of the Art Colony which has grown from 20 students in 1947 to serving over 27,000 people annually. Beckoned by the unfiltered northern light and the endless horizon line, people come together at the Art Colony to explore their own personal creative journey within a supportive community. Self-discovery unfolds, friendships develop, and art is born. These last few years have been particularly inspiring from an administrative standpoint. With an eye on the North Star and an unwavering commitment to artists, the community and the vision, the Art Colony has charted a course into the future. In 2014, we hired a full time Program Coordinator for the first time in our history. This allows us to serve more people of all skill levels - from novice to emerging and professional artists. A few highlights to note: • In 2015, we will serve over 27,000 people – artists and non-artists alike, youth to adult - mostly through reduced cost/free events & community engagement opportunities. • So far in 2015, the Art Colony served 880 students in 204 classes! This includes a 78% participation increase in the Northwoods Fiber Retreat, bringing in 5% of annual students to the Art Colony in the off peak season of February. Plus over 100 participants will join us for the new symposium, The North Shore Readers & Writers Festival which will attract 12.5% of annual students in another off peak month of November. • We served 446 artists through studio access, sales opportunities, the artist-in-residence program, and resource support. This is an increase of 29% from 2014. • A major challenge this year was that we didn’t receive a major grant of $30,000 from the Minnesota State Arts Board to host the Grand Marais Arts Festival. This has been important annual support for the Art Colony. With marketing support from Visit Cook County and the Board’s commitment to this impactful event, this year’s 25th Anniversary Festival drew a record audience of 17,772 people - a 42% increase from 2014! And, it generated $921,744 in economic impact for artists and community. Critical to note that 53 volunteers provided 322 hours to make this event happen! This growth is underwritten by the generous support of our community. Forty percent of operating expenses are supported by the members of the Art Colony who believe in the mission to have transformative art experiences set on the North Shore. Support today is an investment for tomorrow’s innovative programming, quality artist support and inspiring access to the arts. Thank you for being a catalyst for the creative journey here at the Art Colony. Sincerely, Amy Demmer Executive Director

Grand Marais Art Colony Member Show & Sale October 30 – November 22

2015 Member Show Artists

BECOME A MEMBER

Membership is essential in implementing the mission of the Grand Marais Art Colony. Help sustain this dynamic organization so we can continue to serve creative exploration on the North Shore of Lake Superior.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

• Tuition and Merchandise Discount Card • Studio Access: Members can access studio space & check-out Art Library books • Invitiations to events and exhibitions • Participation in the Annual Member Show and Sale • Reduced-rate private programming • Artist Services

MAXIMIZE YOUR MEMBERSHIP

The Art Colony is committed to affordable art access. We host classes at 40% of the full operating expense, offer scholarships for financial need-based students and youth, provide numerous free events and activities, and subsidize the cost of studio access. Maximize your membership by adding additional support for students, artists, and the legacy.

Students

• Donate to our scholarship funds • Youth and financial need-based scholarships • Eric Thomas Emerging Artist Award • Subsidize the true cost of a class • $45 for one youth student • $440 for one adult student

Artists

• Support the full cost of one month of studio access for an artist = $125 • Fund an Artist-in-Residence to explore new work • Be an art patron, purchase art from our Gallery Store and exhibitions

The Legacy

• Donate to the Endowment Fund • Include the Art Colony in your estate plan • Attend the annual fundraiser, Tour d’Art • Volunteer your time and skills

Facilities Improvement Plan

*This does not include art sales from the Plein Air Exhibit which is still on display at the Johnson Heritage Post (with current sales at $23,360) **This does not include year-end giving & membership renewal - a reminder of how valuable your support is for the Art Colony

Phase I: Maintain & Enhance Current Facilities - $132,783 Exterior paint & furnace Clay Studio equipment Rain gutters & egress window Architect Design for Phase II of plan Print Studio renovations & equipment Lighting Office & Instructor Room renovations Exterior entry landscaping Historic Building structural & energy repairs

$8,500 – Completed $8,000 – Completed $5,000 – Completed $5,000 – Completed $12,000 – Completed $5,000 – Completed $14,283 - Completed $5,000 – To be finished by end of 2015 $75,000 – Slated for 2016

Phase II: Expand Current Facilities $373,730 Founders Hall Addition Entry Addition Annex Addition Final Equipment for Studio Building

$73,245 $80,675 $144,810 $75,000

Phase III: Support the Mission $800,000 Staff/Operating support for 3 years post-expansion $300,000 Endowment $500,000

Total Facilities Improvement Plan:

$1,306,513

*Sales number as of October 10, 2015. Exhibition continues through November 15.

MEMBERS AT $100 & ABOVE*** HONORED BEQUESTS:

Mildred Thoreson: $10,000 | Herbert Hedstrom: $2,000 | Orrin Richards: $200

$2,500+

Lance & Jan Johnson | Clara Ueland & Walt McCarthy

$1,000 - $2,499

$500 - $999

$250 - $499

$100 - $249

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MEMBERS!! ***Listed donations were made between 10/17/2014 – 10/17/2015 and include only those at the $100 level & above. We attempt to ensure the accuracy of our records, if there is an omission or error, please accept our most sincere apologies and let us know how we can correct our error. Thank you.

Grant support

Matching Gifts

Project Partners

GRAND MARAIS ART COLONY WISH LIST Founders Hall Multi-use Studio -Padded chairs -Walker system hangers/hardware -Upgraded palette tables -Life drawing model stand and cushions -Moveable chair storage -Moveable coat rack -Pedestals for exhibitions -Storage room organizational devices -Podium for lectures/talks -Dish towels, tablecloths, and cloth napkins for catering needs -Drawing table for residencies -Adjustable padded stool for residencies -Library furniture: couch and chairs -Basic printer and scanner for artist services desk -Speaker system -New door from office to studio Print Studio -Brayers -Lithography registration system -Metal shear for cutting copper & plastic -Risers for north inking station -Paper drying tiles with weights -Misc. small tools: ink knives, solarplate washout brushes; etching and drypoint tools -Upper cabinets Office -Storage area organizational devices -Website support - (2) Laptops Ceramics Studio -Heavy duty support shelving

-(4) Ventilation masks -Brent C potter’s wheel motor -Electric L&L Kiln -Assorted kiln posts Glass Studio Items for Fused Glass: -(8) Breaking plyers and hand tools -T-square -Cork-backed rulers -Bead collars for kiln -Kiln dams & bricks (assortment from 4.5” to 20”) -Strip cutting system -Tile saw/tile cutter (diamond saw) -Assortment of plate & bowl molds -$1,000 worth of a variety of glass -Overhead shelving and glass storage Items for Jewelry Arts: -(1) Flex Shaft -Tube cutting jig -Enameling fork -Trivets -Jewelry torches Gallery Store -Pedestals for display -Jewelry display -Speakers Misc. -(3) Moveable white boards for studios b -Lawn mower Groundskeeping -Landscaping -(2-4)Artist-made 5 gallon flower pots

MISSION Nurture Creativity on the North Shore of Lake Superior OBJECTIVES To provide services to artists, promote art education and nurture art in our community by providing an environment for creative excellence.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair | Sally Berg Vice Chair | Lynn Speaker Treasurer | David Quick Secretary | Clare Shaw Members at Large | Hazel Belvo, Mike Carlson, John Franz, Howard Hedstrom, Marcia Hyatt, Ann Possis, Jolita Rysdahl STAFF Executive Director | Amy Demmer Events & Communications Coordinator | Carolyn Fritz Program Coordinator | Ruth Pszwaro Office Registrar | Jeanne Bourquin Community Coordinator | Tessa Larson STUDIO FACILITATORS Clay Studio | Joan Farnam Glass Studio | Nancy Seaton Print Studio | Jerry Riach OUTGOING CLAY STUDIO CO-FACILITATOR: Melissa Wickwire VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR Mary Bebie INCREDIBLE EXCHANGE INTERNS Ian Parker Greta Roth

A special thanks to our many, DEDICATED volunteers who make the Art Colony a vibrant, creative home. Your spirits make this place sing. You put the Colony in Art Colony!