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arts Joe zyble
An aerial view of Marquette’s Mattson Lower Harbor Park during a recent Art on the Rocks festival. The annual event is canceled this year, but art lovers can participate in a scaled down version at Marquette Mountain, called Art on the Mountain.
HigH art
Artists to display works at Marquette Mountain
Story by Joe Zyble Photos courtesy of Curtis Aho Photography
The first ever Art on the Mountain arts show will be held the weekend of Sept. 11 and 12 at Marquette Mountain Resort in Marquette. The event will feature a fine arts show, face painting and other artistic activities for kids, plein air (outdoor) painting opportunities, an art auction, live music, dancing and more. The weekend will conclude with the city’s annual art awards ceremony.
Art on the Mountain is being offered in lieu of the traditional Art on the Rocks Fine Arts Show, which was canceled earlier this year (and last year) due to public health concerns related to COVID-19. The unknowns regarding how the virus might spread during the summer months, and possible restrictions on public gatherings that might ensue, were key factors in the Art on the Rocks organization’s decision to cancel the event earlier this year.
“We had concerns about things like whether we’d be able to use the park or not, and all the investment that goes into holding a large-scale event like that,” said Tristan Louma, director of Art on the Rocks. “When we made the decision to cancel again last spring, it was really tough.”
As the summer season progressed and the COVID virus remained relatively under control, Eric Jorgenson, owner of Marquette Mountain Resort and a supporter of the arts, contacted Art on the Rocks to offer his resort for a possible substitute event.
“We came up with Art on the Mountain. It was a good opportunity to change up the scenery and scale things back a little as we continue to crawl back to normalcy (from the pandemic),” Louma said.
He added that Art on the Mountain helps to continue Marquette’s annual tradition of celebrating local, regional and out-of-state artists by giving them an opportunity to formally display their works. It provides the public an opportunity to enjoy and purchase art, drawing people from both near and far to Marquette.
While Art on the Rocks has been held at Mattson Lower Harbor Park in recent years, the Marquette Mountain venue is allowing organizers to do things differently.
“Art on the Rocks is more of the formal structure of a fine arts fair; it focuses on the artists’ booths. With Art on the Mountain, we saw an opportunity to try out a few new things,” Louma said, “With that comes live music in the evening, more activities for kids, things for all ages, an art auction and just the venue itself.”
Organizers are taking advantage of the location to provide art fair goers the opportunity to enjoy a magnificent view of the natural beauty of the area (when it’s not covered in snow).
“The chairlift will be operating, which can bring folks up to the top of the mountain if they want to hike or bike down. It will be a really cool, holistic outdoor Marquette experience in what’s going to be approaching the peak color season,” Louma said.
Like Art on the Rocks, this is a juried art show in which artists needed to apply for entry by the Aug. 22 deadline. Artists’ booths will be located indoors and outdoors at the resort.
Art on the Mountain begins on Saturday, Sept. 11, and runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Artists will have the option to keep their booths open during the live music
Right, people walk among the tents at a previous Art on the Rocks. The festival did not take place this year, but a new event has sprung up in its place. Art on the Mountain will take place at Marquette Mountain Sept. 11 and 12.
performances afterward. The show continues Sunday, Sept. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Several artists have donated pieces for an art auction that will be held during the show to benefit the Lake Superior Art Association.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the show.
The weekend’s art show will conclude with the annual Marquette Art Awards ceremony at Marquette Mountain from 5 to 9 p.m. This free, black-tie awards show celebrates local, creative individuals who have made an impact in arts and culture in the community.
Attendees are invited to dress in “Marquette Formal”; organizers are encouraging black and yellow attire. The public is invited, and no reservations are necessary. The awards begin with a cocktail hour at 5 p.m., followed by the awards ceremony and special performances from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and then dancing to live music.
While the absence of Art on the Rocks for two years has been disappointing, Louma said people realize the difficulties the pandemic has wrought.
“People have been really understanding on the whole. It’s difficult, especially with some of the larger mainstay events that people have come to expect. A lot of folks plan their trips around these kinds of events,” he said. “In general people here have been very understanding; it’s been a tough road these past two years for everybody.”
This year’s art award winners include Marty Aschatz for arts advocate; U.P. Supply Co. for arts business; Lynne Blitho for arts educator; Marquette Poets Circle for arts organization; Andrew LaCombe for arts volunteer; Daniel Truckey for performing artist; J. Marc Himes for visual artist; Janeen Pergrin Rastall for writer; Matthew Reilly for youth; Vic Holliday for special recognition; and Steve Grugin for lifetime achievement.
Art on the Mountain is being presented by Art on the Rocks, the Lake Superior Art Association, Marquette Mountain resort, and the City of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture. Travel Marquette is sponsoring the event. For more information and updates, including the list of performers, visit www.marquetteartontherocks.com
Next year’s Art on the Rocks Fine Art Show is scheduled for the weekend of July 30-31.
Editor’s Note: Joe Zyble has been with Marquette Monthly for several years, as the proofreader and editor. Joe lives in Negaunee with his family.
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