Local Art Seen: Tribute to Russell Gran

After the closing of Washington Junior High School in the Central Hillside community of Duluth the building was converted to residences for the Washington Studios Artist Cooperative. One of it longest residents, Russell V. Gran, recently passed away and a special art event was held this past Thursday at the gallery there, curated by Eric Dubnicka, former curator at the Tweed Museum of Art and friend of Mr. Gran.

I've crossed paths with Russell Gran seemingly countless times over the years during annual studio tours or while covering art shows in the Washington Galleries, including a few shows featuring his own paintings. Even so, there was much I didn't know about his life and how he came to be living in Duluth. From the obituary this past week I learned he was not only a Denfeld valedictorian, but also a UMD valedictorian.

His first career was teaching before moving to Hartford, Connecticut in 1959 where he became an underwriter for the Traveler's Insurance Co. While in Hartford, he took graduate courses in literature and painting at Trinity College and the University of Hartford. In 1971 he moved to Boston and continued working as an underwriter, this time for Blue Cross/Blue Shield. Because of his mother's health he returned to Duluth where he completed his master's degree in studio art at UMD.

His obituary mentions a gruff exterior that served as a facade for a humorous, sensitive and loving man. This gruffness must have become something of a trademark since this week's Duluth New Tribune story about the exhibition notes the passing of "a loveable curmudgeon." In point of fact, in 2012 Gran titled one of his art exhibitions Curmudgeon.

The June 22 art show at the Washington Studios Artist Cooperative was a celebration of his both his art and his life, titled Russell V. Gran: A Lift's Retrospective. Here are some of the paintings that were displayed and/or sold that evening.

He lived a full life, and left a big mark on a small part of the world.

A very special man, he will be missed.

Important Twin Ports Arts Events and Reminders

Louis Guillaume by Paul Cezanne, Natl Gallery

"Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August."
— Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty

Summer Solstice is June 21, the longest day of the year. Woo hoo. Or is it June 20? Hmmm. Depends on which Oracle you ask, perhaps.

I am guessing that Grandma's is intentional in selecting for its marathon the nearest weekend to this period when the earth's rotational tilt is most slanted toward the sun. Perhaps, too the Park Point Art Fair has the same criteria in mind for holding its annual ritual the following weekend. A big welcome to artists and art lovers! Next weekend is only days away now.

In between we have a few events to draw attention to.

Tonight from 5-7 p.m. is the Stephanie Wilcox Art Show and Reception at the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Community Room, 425 W. Superior St., Suite 1060.  "Join Stephanie for an artist reception featuring a one night pop-up of her handmade jewelry and other small works in addition to the show." This is a venue I've not yet seen. Refreshments provided and everyone is welcome. Show runs through July 17.

On Wednesday, June 21, 6:30-9:00 p.m., Zentangle (R) & Wine with Esther Piszczek, CZT, at the Master Framing Gallery, 1431 London Road. Come experience the fun and relaxation of drawing simple, repetitive line patterns with pen and ink and pencil shading. No previous drawing experience necessary. Class Cost: $35; Supplies: $10 (or use supplies provided without additional cost). RSVP to episzczek@gmail.com. Seats are limited.

Thursday there will be a celebration of the life and art of recently departed painter Russell V. Gran through an art exhibition at Washington Studios Artist Co-op, a.k.a. 315 Gallery here in Duluth. Russell V. Gran: A Life's Retrospective will run three hours on the evening of June 22nd, 2017, 5-8, with remarks at 6:00 p.m. The following is from Eric Dubnicka's invitation:

Only your presence in good-humored remembrance is required. In heroic fashion Russell overcame many near life-ending experiences, yet it's with a heavy heart we share that Russell has moved on to his next great adventure. After a life lived full in Boston, MA, West Duluth native Russell Gran returned home in 1992 to follow his true passion in life, his art making, and to be near his beloved mother Mary (d.2006). After successfully completing the studio art program at UMD he was a charter member of Washington Studios Artist Cooperative where he was an ardent advocate of common sense cooperative living. It was there he became an influential force and mentor to a generation of Duluth artists of all genres. He went on to create and exhibit an expansive array of energetically charged, intensely colorful paintings which are collected throughout the Twin Ports region and beyond. He longed for his artwork to be front and center and this final solo exhibition of mostly unseen artworks from the last 25 years will be the capstone to his long and illustrious career.

Saturday & Sunday, June 24 & 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Park Point Art Fair 2017, Park Point Public Beach House, 5000 Minnesota Ave. "The 47th annual Park Point Art Fair will feature the juried fine art and crafts of over 120 artists from the upper Midwest and beyond. In addition to the outdoor gallery, there will be a food court, demonstration areas, a stage with live music and more — all at the Park Point Recreation Area.

"Each year, an estimated 10,000+ visitors attend the weekend festival as artists display and sell work in media such as ceramics, glass, jewelry, painting, photography, woodwork and sculpture. With artist tents lining a paved path that extends through the park, the show allows people with physical disabilities the chance to fully experience the event."

Our family has been going to the Park Point Art Fair since the kids were little. It's been a great tradition and we own a number of things in our home that were acquired there.

Also on Saturday is the Chum Rhubarb Festival 2017 out on London Road circa 11th Avenue East, from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. The Chum’s 13th annual Rhubarb Festival promises plenty of rhubarb, "including hundreds of pies, muffins and crisps, as well as rhubarb brats and burritos. There will also be live music, games, crafts, auctions and stage shows." Duluth has it all!

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ON THE DYLAN FRONT

Unplugged, 1994*

The big story this past week was that a concept and location for a Dylan monument in Hibbing has been approved. This is a pretty big deal as many ideas have been swirling about nothing really taking shape. This article from yesterday's Star Tribune provides details. Big Shout Out to Craig Hattam and the Hibbing Dylan Project for making this happen.

Finally, Saturday night Cowboy Angel Blue will be back in the Twin Ports at  Vintage Italian Pizza, V.I.P. in Superior. Here are the details.

Oh, and one more thing. Check out this Jimmy Fallon clip where he talks about the recent Dylan show he went to at Port Chester, New York. It's fun. Makes me want to see another Dylan concert.

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"Green was the silence, wet was the light, the month of June trembled like a butterfly."
--Pablo Neruda

*Photo, MTV Studio, Frank Micelotta; courtesy William Pagel