Ruth Anne Pszwaro, Artistic Director of Grand Marais Art Colony, explains the rich history of the colony and shares a biannual event that gathers readers, writers, and publishers in the winter season.
Transcript
Opening: This is Minnesota’s Legacy: A look at the organizations and people who have benefitted from Minnesota’s unique Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment
Amira Warren-Yearby: Grand Marais Art Colony founder Birney Quick was a man deeply inspired by the natural beauty of the outdoors.
Nature sounds
An avid fly fisher and painter, he was no stranger to the rugged charm of the North Shore. In 1947, after exploring various art colonies along the East Coast, Birney had a vision: Grand Marais, with its breathtaking landscapes, would be the perfect place to establish an art colony.
Sounds of visitors
Today, Grand Marais hosts over 1.2 million tourist visits each year, overwhelmingly in the summer months. But what happens in the winter?
Ruth Ann Pszwaro: It's been a really neat way to see people engage with the written word in November, which is a quieter month, but also one really conducive to being inside and writing.
Sounds of folk music
Warren-Yearby: That’s Ruth Ann Pszwaro, Artistic Director of Grand Marais Art Colony! She’s sharing her excitement about their biannual North Shore Readers and Writers festival.
Pszwaro: it has become just a gem of sorts between bringing readers together with writers of all stages, as well as Minnesota book professionals
SFX: People gathered at an event
Warren-Yearby: This literary festival offers author instructed classes, panel discussions and book readings. But the art colony hasn’t always been able to host in-person winter events.
SFX: a sound of old furnace heat
Pszwaro: in the 80s, we became a nonprofit and also got our first furnace, which meant that we could go year round in Minnesota
Warren-Yearby: Grand Marais Art Colony has changed buildings and locations over the years but the heart has remained the same. Centering around arts education, the organization aims to foster exploration and experimentation in contemporary arts. Operating support from Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage helps Grand Marais Art Colony fulfill its mission. And Ruth says there’s something for everyone.
Pszwaro: if [...] the artistic practice is not what you're looking for, there's an opportunity to sit in on a Saturday demonstration, (SFX: Teacher leading a class (distant)) take a mini class, listen to an artist talk.
Warren-Yearby: Find more information at Grand Marais Art Colony dot org.
Closing: Minnesota’s Legacy is a production of AMPERS, with support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, more at ampers dot org.