Inspiring, Nurturing
& Celebrating
the Arts
Performing at Cook, MN Music in the Park!
Ojibwe-American, Keith Secola July 30
Seven time winner of the Native American Music Awards, Keith Secola, will perform at Cook’s Music in the Park from 6 to 8 p.m.. The event is largely sponsored by Bois Forte Tribal Community Radio KBFT 89.9. Jimmy Laine and Eric Pederson will kick off the concert and introduce this accomplished artist: composer, musician, guitarist, native flute player, singer, songwriter and producer. Food will be available for purchase from St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. In case of rain the concert will be held at the Cook Community Center, 510 Gopher Dr.,
SUMMER HOURS ARE HERE!
Wednesday - Friday
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Join the Photographer’s Club at NWFA!
Welcome to Allegra Dengler, a wildlife photographer from New York, summering on Lake Vermilion. She’s excited to start a Photography Club at the NWFA Gallery, with the NEXT meetings on August 7 and 21 and Sept. 4 @ 11 a.m. at the gallery
Allegra, a member of the North American Nature Photography Association, invites all skill levels:
“Let’s share ideas and challenges in photography. For our first meeting, we’ll focus on wildlife photography. Bring a photo or two—phone pictures welcome!”
An avid birdwatcher and recent Lake Steward Award recipient from the Vermilion Lake Association, Allegra is also a recognized energy conservationist.
RSVP by contacting Allegra at allegrad@aol.com or 914-450-9701.
Let's Soar…take a photo with our wings mural! Photograph it…enjoy it, share it! #NorthwoodsFriendsOfTheArts #LetsSoar @NWFAMN
Happening Now
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UPCOMING NWFA EVENTS:
July Exhibit: “80 Inches of Art” by members and it is fabulous and it is a fundraiser.
August Exhibit: “Sisterhood” by Sue Rauschenfels
Art Classes in Cook at NWFA Gallery
Thurs., July 17 @ 1 - 3 p.m.
“Create a Wire and Bead Tree”
Make a tree out of wire and beads or small rocks with instructor Cathi Weber. Ok for ages 10 to adult. Class held at NWFA Gallery.
$15 for members with $5 materials fee to the instructor.
Tues., August 5 @ 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Learn the Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt
Make a nine patch quilt into an exciting new design when you take the quilt workshop with Kathy Lovgren at Northwood Friends of the Arts Gallery in Cook Minnesota on Tuesday, August 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. It’s a surprising new quilt technique that transforms the usual into the unusual. There is a supply list items to gather before the class so don’t hesitate to register for one of six (6) spots in the class.
$30 for members and there is a long supply list.
Thurs., Aug. 7 @ 1 - 4 p.m.
Create an Art Journal
Form a new habit for your artwork. With Ely artist, Cecilia Rolando, discover the value of keeping a Journal/Sketchbook while assembling the cover and interior pages in a workshop setting. Rolando will offer various ways to inspire your creativity while you make your journal and decorate the exterior cover at the workshop at Northwoods Friends of the Arts Gallery at 210 S. River St. in Cook, MN .
$30 for members with $15 material fee to instructor
Sat., Aug. 9 @ 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Acrylic Painting - Instructional Class
Dafne Caruso will teach this class touching on color theory, mixing paint colors and composition. Open to all….beginners encouraged to register. All material provided with the cost of this class limit of 10 students.
$40 for members
Sat., August 16 @ 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sisterhood Storytelling Imagery
Using acrylic paint and mixed media students will create by painting figures and interesting backgrounds on a 14 by 14 inch canvas. Textured layers of color, shapes and bold marks to portray supportive female figures from life or those who have come before us. The textures will be created with the acrylic paint, collage papers, markers and oil pastels. Supplies are included in the cost of the class. Students go home with a meaningful painting. The class size is limited to 8-10 students.
$45 for Members
Tues., Aug 26 @ 9-5
Weaving Using a Hoop.
Weave a design in the middle of a 12 inch hoop using yarns, ribbons, decorative pins and charms.
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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!
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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!
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MN Public Radio Art Hounds…2025
From July 17 2025 Art Hounds interview MPR:
Live music by the lake
"Jeanne O’Melia, who lives on Lake Vermilion, makes her way to Cook, Minn., every Wednesday evening — often by boat — to enjoy the free live music at the gazebo downtown. Attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets. In the event of rain, concerts move indoors to the VFW.
The music runs from 6–8 p.m. on Wednesdays throughout the summer. Next week, central Minnesota cover band JustUs takes the stage. On July 30, Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame inductee Keith Secola performs.,,,,mprnews.org/podcasts"
https://www.mprnews.org/episode/2025/07/17/art-hounds-shakespeare-music-and-pottery-all-outdoors
ListenMPR News“On fabric, dragons and freedom”
Listen to this broadcast here. If you select “Cecilia Rolando” online within the article you will see Rolando artwork.
Jan. 16 2025 Art Hounds on MPR News
A stitch in time
Lyn Reed is a former art teacher and a ceramic artist living in Orr, but she made the trip to the Northwoods Friends of the Arts in Cook, Minn., to take in the joyful colors and compositions of fabric artist Cecilia Rolando of Ely.
Entitled “Piecing it Together,” the exhibit runs through Jan. 31. Several small quilts designed and sewn by NWFA’s Round Robin Quilt Group are also on display.
Lyn Reed offers this look around the gallery, where the colors and textures provide a welcome burst of inspiration in January.
Lyn says: She calls it fabric collage, and that’s exactly what it is. She must have just an incredible resource of fabrics because I notice fabric from Southeast Asia … Japan … she’s used doilies, antique lace, gingham …There’s a piece I really like that’s red and white spiral.
She cuts different pieces of different sizes, and she’s collaged those together. You can see that she’s layered them. She’s using all different types of stitching, and the lines actually look as if they’re in a drawing. The compositions are really beautiful.
It’s like a cornucopia of all different types of fabrics from around the world. If you love fabrics, you will enjoy Cecilia’s work.
— Lyn Reed
Thank you to artist and NWFA member, Lyn Reed, for volunteering to be interviewed by MPR News “Art Hounds”.
Music in the Park!
Music in the Park returns this June! Friends & family, join us Wednesday evenings this summer for live music, great food, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Relax as the sun sets, enjoy local bands, and savor delicious eats with good company!
Time 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
St. Paul's Lutheran Church will have food for purchase.
In case of rain, performances will be at the Cook VFW.JUNE
18-The Jimmy & Eric Show
25- The Hutter Bunch
JULY
2- The Dionysian Dithyramb Band
9- The Divas
16- Sam Miltich
23- Just Us
30- Keith Secola & The Jimmy & Eric Show
AUGUST
6- Robert Walker's Outlaw Country
13- R & B, The Dan & Sharon Experience
20- The No Notes
27- The Jimmy & Eric Show featuring Anna Marie! The year end extravaganza!
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.
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’.
We’re part gallery, part shop, and all about celebrating handmade creativity!
Swing by to check out (and take home!) beautiful jewelry, watercolors, woodcarvings, textiles, greeting cards, oil paintings, stained glass, pottery, ceramics, mixed media, photography, crafts, and more—made with heart by talented artists.
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 NWFANorthwoods 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