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Arts &
Culture - Listing of Artists In grand
Rapids, Minnesota
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Grand Rapids is a community of artists.
A surprising number of well-known
artists call the area home, but the
reason is not surprising. This area has
an almost magical appeal that draws
people in and inspires creativity.
Pieces produced here have traveled the
globe. Here are just a few local
artists, but there are many more. |
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 Tom
Page
Medium: Bronze sculpture
Sculpture artist Tom
Page’s works can be seen throughout the
Grand Rapids area and in public exhibits
and private collections throughout the
US and abroad. Tom is known for his
cast bronze sculptures that capture the
emotion of people. |
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 Karen
Olson
Medium: Pottery
Karen Olson pottery captures what is so
beautiful and natural in the northwoods
of Minnesota. Made from clay in her
home-based studio, and infused with
natural elements, Karen's pottery has a
signature style that has made her pieces
a favorite among collectors near and
far. Many of Karen's pieces feature
native leaf and plant relief patterns,
antlers, and berry patterns. Her works
can be found in several local retail
locations. |
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 Sam
Miltich
Medium: Jazz Guitarist & Songwriter
Accomplished jazz guitarist Sam Miltich,
has traveled the world, but calls Grand
Rapids his home. Inspired by Jango
Reinhart, Sam's music is a treat -
especially when experienced here in the
northwoods. Clearwater Hot Club and the
Big Dipper Jazz Band are two groups that
feature Sam, and he has also performed
with the Hot Club of San Francisco and
Tim Kliphuis, and played at Lincoln
Center. If you would like to hear a
local performance (and we recommend that
you do) Sam's local performances are
regularly listed on the Grand Rapids
calendar of events. |
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 M'Lou
Brubaker
Medium: Jewelry
Surrounded by hand tools,
in a home studio miles from town, master
craftswoman M’lou Brubaker creates
extraordinary jewelry in silver and
gold. M’lou’s jewelry can be found at a
number of shops including the MacRostie
Art Center in Grand Rapids and other
shops in Duluth, Bemidji and Aitkin.
This Chicago native turned metalsmith,
has become a sought-after custom jewelry
designer and enjoys creating
commissioned pieces for her clients. |
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 Diane
Rutherford
Medium: Textile Art
On a beautiful lake,
north of Grand Rapids, textile artist
Diane Rutherford works in her home
studio creating imaginative, inspired
works. Diane works primarily in batik –
a process using wax resists and layers
of dyes to create original,
one-of-a-kind pieces. You can see
Diane’s original art on display at the
Grand Rapids Public Library. |
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 John
Connelly
Medium: Photography
An influence of nature is evident in the
work of local photographer John
Connelly. John's work has been featured
in many of the tourism publications
created to promote the Grand Rapids
area, including most of the photography
used to create the arts & culture
section of this website. John is a
graduate of the University of Minnesota
and the Rocky Mountain School of
Photography, and he shoots for a wide
variety of clients in Northern
Minnesota. |
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 Jim
Kasper
Medium: Wildlife Acrylic Paintings
Since childhood, nature has been an
integral part of Jim's life. He has
communicated that love of nature through
art and photography. Jim is an active
conservationist who supports many
organizations and his acrylic paintings
have received numerous prestigious
awards including: Minnesota Deer Hunters
Assn Artist of the Year, Wildlife
Heritage Assn and Geese Unlimited Artist
of the Year, National Ruffed Grouse
Society Print Artist of the Year and so
many more. Jim's work has been published
by Wild Wings, Inc., a leading national
publisher and distributor of art through
catalogs and galleries, and also
licenses his art for numerous companies
to use in their products. |
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 Mary
LaPlant
Medium: Musician, Violin/Viola/Fiddle
String musician Mary LaPlant comes from
a family of musicians, and is a local
fixture in the arts community of Grand
Rapids. Her dual love of the outdoors
and music is evident by her degrees in
forestry and music. Mary is a three-time
state fiddle champion, has produced two
CDs, and performs with Not Necessarily
Bluegrass. Mary has also served as the
concertmaster for the Itasca Symphony
Orchestra since 1988. |
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