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  • Kathy Binoniemi
    Kathy Binoniemi
    Muralist; Painter
    Kathy Binoniemi is a native Yooper, born and raised in Negaunee, and now makes her home just north of the Dead River Basin. She has  been drawing and painting with acrylic since childhood.  She has been commissioned to paint murals in several buildings in Negaunee, illustrated the cover of a book, drew dozens of Model A Fords with Marquette landmarks as backdrops that led to a lucrative deal with the Model A Ford Club of America. She’s also designed the headstone of a member of MAFCA which is located in a California cemetery. About 5 years ago she discovered pastel painting and learning that art form has been her focus ever since. She loves depicting the woods, bluffs, lakes and streams of the Upper Peninsula, trying to capture the mood of the outdoors.
  • Sawftsea Chelsea Monaghan
    Sawftsea Chelsea Monaghan
    Illustrator; Muralist; Painter
    Sawftsea /soft-see/, aka Chelsea Monaghan, was born and raised in Michigan and currently lives in the Upper Peninsula on Anishinaabeg Land. Her style is bright and colorful. Inspired by the great lakes and the life it brings, her paintings often include plants, animals, and the history of her home.
  • Kathleen Conover
    Kathleen Conover
    Painter; Teacher/Instructor
    My life-long love of art was nurtured in the fertile environment of southern California’s prominent artists, museums and galleries.  Academic fine art studies started at San Diego State University and commenced with a Master of Arts earned from Northern Michigan University.  Continued studies with American master watercolor artists over the next decade enriched my depth, skills and personal style of painting.  A full time artist, I exhibit internationally, jury exhibitions, give demonstrations and teach in-depth workshops internationally.
  • John French
    John French
    Painter
    “If I’m not painting, I’m thinking about it. Painting a favorite scene is like visiting and exploring the place all over again, and using my brushes and colors to tell you what I see.” A viewing of Michigan artist John French’s oil paintings reveals a great deal about the artist’s passions; getting out and about, and painting the places he goes. John loves to go on short hikes and long road trips. He brings home the inspiration, memories, and photos needed to paint the vast, awe-inspiring landscapes from around the country. His portfolio is packed with paintings of New Mexico, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, and of course, Michigan.
  • Tammy L Toj Gajewski
    Tammy L Toj Gajewski
    Ceramist; Craftsperson; Mixed Media Artist; Painter; Poet; Storyteller; Teacher/Instructor
    At a very early age Tammy’s mother encouraged her creativity and supported her exploration of poetry, drawing, painting and animals. She attended university and learned the base of oil painting, ceramics, fiber arts, French translation and welding. She had one job after graduation related to fine arts and was fired after helping the owner buy a Matisse painting from the family; because her French translation skills were no longer needed. After 42 years in the blue collar work force which included 23 years with the Department of Corrections she retired to do art full time. Her therapist stated that the mere act of creativity will help moderate her PTSD, keep her depression at bay, and help heal the tremendous loss of family. Today Tammy has made her own family, loves her two career changed Leader Dogs for the Blind, practices meditation in the Thick Nhat Han tradition, and has her own studio to paint and create in on Lake Superior. Her wife of twenty years tells her often to go to the studio and Tammy returns refreshed and vibrant. She has shown her work at several shows in the Upper Peninsula over the last twenty five years and hopes to have her first gallery exhibit in 2023.  Her pen name is Toj- Teacher of Joy- given to her by her art mentor John Fritz in high school and later by her college mentor Keiko Hara. Besides it is much easier to sign than Tammy Lynn Webeck Pasko Gajewski.
  • Kathleen Heideman
    Kathleen Heideman
    Maker; Painter; Poet
    Kathleen M. Heideman is a writer, artist and environmentalist working in Michigan’s wild Upper Peninsula. Heideman is the author of Psalms of the Early Anthropocene (Winter Cabin Books), Explaining Pictures To A Dead Hare (Traffic Street Press), She Used to Have Some Cows (La Vacas Press). She completed over a dozen artist-in-residence programs with watersheds, wildlife refuges, forests, private foundations, the National Park Service (including Isle Royale, Apostle Islands, Badlands, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Voyageurs), and the National Science Foundation’s prestigious Antarctic Artists and Writers Program. Her paintings and poetry broadsides have been exhibited locally, and in national exhibits, including “Summer Arts: Inspired by the National Parks”; the NPS online exhibition “Through Your Eyes”; “The Art of Stewardship of the Antarctic”; “Collected Works from the NSF’s Antarctic Artists & Writers Program”; Minnesota Center for Book Arts, and elsewhere. She was named a finalist for U.P. Poet Laureate in 2017. Heideman is drawn to wild and threatened places, and works to defend them. She serves on the board of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition and works with Mining Action Group, defending clean water and wild places from the dangers of sulfide mining. A curious woman.
  • Steven Hughes
    Steven Hughes
    Graphic Artist; Illustrator; Mixed Media Artist; Painter; Photographer; Teacher/Instructor
    Steven Hughes, who goes by the artist name Primary Hughes, is best known for his colorful acrylic portraits, having shown in numerous pop-culture and illustration-focused gallery exhibitions in California and New York. As an artist residing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and Professor of Illustration at Northern Michigan University, he can often be found exploring the natural landscape along the coast of Lake Superior with his plein-air kit. His painting and illustration work revels in the interplay of light and color, and the emotional impact in quieter moments of determination, thoughtful reflection, and preparation for a thing that must be done. View more of his work on Instagram or his website, primaryhughes.com
  • Gail Mahan
    Gail Mahan
    Painter
    Gail spent her childhood along the shores of Lake Superior hiking, swimming and fishing in the summer. During the winter hours were spent drawing, painting, writing poetry and reading. While attending Northern Michigan University Art and Design Program she studied under Bill Hamilton, Carl Mayer, Gordon McKenzie and Laura Stahl Maze.  Traveling in England, Japan and living in the Southwest for 14 years has influenced her art yet she has a special place in her heart for the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the beauty of nature. Some of her awards and exhibits include Honorable Mention in the first Fresh Coast Plain Air competition in Marquette, Best of Show in two Norlite juried competitions and Best of Show at the Marquette Co. Fair juried exhibition in 2008. Her style tends toward impressionistic realism using a variety of mediums depending on what effect she wants to convey or what mood she wants to express.
  • Colleen Maki
    Colleen Maki
    Illustrator; Painter; Photographer
    Former high school French and art teacher who is now focusing on her own art! Ever since I can remember I’ve been fascinated with all forms of art, but photography and sketching in particular. Living here in The U.P. is a paradise for nature photography. I have been experimenting with photography on metal, canvas, wood and acrylic. Almost daily I’m out hiking or kayaking with cameras in hand. Another love is acrylic painting. Recently I started “Art Rocks” which are famous paintings done on U.P. rocks. My work is sold at The Gallery downtown Marquette or from my facebook page “Lensations”.
  • Taryn Okesson
    Taryn Okesson
    Mixed Media Artist; Muralist; Painter; Photographer
    Taryn Okesson is from Marquette, MI and graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2009 with a BFA in Fine Arts. She and her husband began traveling by RV in 2019 and those experiences influence her current work. In her travels she collects samples of objects and textures. She also keeps a catalog of her own photography to create from. Taryn’s art is inspired by animal symbolism, life/death cycles and the unique interconnectedness of the natural world. An interdisciplinary artist, her media include: photography, ink, acrylic and mixed-media paintings.
  • Peg Sandin
    Peg Sandin
    Musician; Painter
    Painting has become almost as important to me as breathing. Watercolor is my favorite medium because of the spontaneity and immediacy that it requires. Living on Lake Superior and observing the play of light off the lake inspire my work. The change of seasons is one of the reasons I live in this area.  It provides me with all new color palettes and textures to explore. Winter on Lake Superior is the most dramatic, especially when the lake is almost completely frozen. The light is new and pastel, the lake crunches, and snow blankets the earth and softens the harsh cold. When the little buds of new plants push through the ground, spring is on its way. The wonderful new colors of the buds, the new growth in the woods and the melting of the ice make the blue lake look very welcome. Summer is rich in color and warmth. The lake becomes alive with visitors who play along the shores and fly over the waters. Fall greets me with a burst of color that is difficult to mimic. The spectacular show of color lasts only a few weeks, but remains a favorite time of year for me.
  • Laura Songer
    Laura Songer
    Illustrator; Muralist; Painter
    Laura Songer is an Ecologist Artist who studied drawing and water color at MTU and Botanical Illustration at the Chicago Botanical Garden. After receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology/Plant Ecology from Michigan Technological University she worked as an animal/human virology tech and a Medical Illustrator. Her work has been published in several medical journals, publications and a text book. Currently she is the owner of Wintergreen Hill Gallery in Marquette, MI and manages a forest of over 600 privately owned acres. She also gardens, cross country ski races, and loves trail running, biking and Christian evangelism all of which inspire and influence her work in the fine arts.
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    ABOUT UP ARTS

    The Upper Peninsula Arts & Culture Alliance fosters and promotes creativity by encouraging connections between individuals, organizations, artists, performers, and audiences throughout the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

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    Upper Peninsula Arts & Culture Alliance

    217 N. Front St., Marquette, MI 49855

    (906) 228-0472

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    Upper Peninsula · MI


    UPAC Board Members


    Sue Roll, Chair | Howard Sandin, Vice Chair | Lisa Craig Brisson, Secretary | Philp Rice, Treasurer

    Tiina Morin | Rachael Pressley | Katherine A. Reynolds | Sarah Rice | Erika Sauter | Kristy Walden

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