This week’s northern flavor continues with some worthy results from the Duluth Paint du Nord — a third annual plein air event along Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior. Who captured the cash?
Thirty-four artists from around Minnesota and the Midwest recently participated in the third annual Duluth Paint du Nord plein air event that witnessed great weather, great fun, and great paintings, of course.
Hosted by the Duluth Art Institute (DAI) between July 12 and 18, the event’s reach has continued to expand beyond the borders of “the Land of 10,000 Lakes.” All of the works completed during the event are featured in an exhibition at Duluth’s Blacklist Artisan Ales through August 27.
On Friday, July 14, a small group distinguished themselves among their peers and were recognized with awards and cash prizes selected by juror Matt Kania. Joni Jurek’s “Candy Kitchen” was the big winner here, grabbing First Place and $300. “Jurek’s First Place-winning work depicts Great Lakes! Candy Kitchen in Knife River,” the DAI reported, “which has been run for 100 years by Canelakes — including, currently, artist Patricia Canelake.”


The $200 Second Place prize was earned by Angie Malin’s painting “Barefoot in the Sand” while John Sterner’s “Intersection of W. 6th St. & N. 8th Avenue W.” took home the $100 Third Place prize. Honorable Mentions included Doug Malin’s “Hay Barn,” Michelle Wegler’s “A Happy Place,” and Julia Jaakola’s “Duluth Port Storage.”
A $100 award for Best Sense of Place, sponsored by the Outdoor Painters of Minnesota, was given to Allison Eklund for “Surfing After Storm.” Honorable Mentions in this category included Lisa Stauffer’s “Zenith Machine, Canal Park” and Lee Englund’s “Garden House.” As part of the Plein Air Duluth festival, artists also competed in a special Quick Paint event in which they had a mere 90 minutes to complete a painting at the Lake Superior Zoo. This category was judged separately from other festival work. A $100 First Place award was given to Lisa Stauffer’s “Perched for a Chatter.”

To learn more, visit the Duluth Art Institute.
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