FACILITY

OLD BUILDING

Built in 1916 as St. John's Catholic Church, the building which now houses the main offices and visual art studio was acquired in 1963 by Byron Bradley and Birney Quick as a permanent location for their North Shore summer school. The stately white building with forest green trim is covered in wood siding and is located at 120 West 3rd Avenue in Grand Marais, just two blocks east of the old Gunflint Trail and the Cook County Courthouse. It is three blocks north of Highway 61 and the Grand Marais Harbor.

FOUNDER'S ROOM

The original main studio is a remarkably beautiful space that has provided inspiration for visual artists for decades. Superb north lighting, high ceilings, hardwood floors, and ample wall space make this historic studio a favorite of artists and instructors.

ART LIBRARY

The Art Colony has a large and ever growing collection of art related books and other materials. They are available for perusal and to check out from the Art Colony's personal library. The library is located in the loft of the Old Building and is open during Art Colony hours, but may not be available during some scheduled private class time. Call ahead if you want to be assured that you will be able to enjoy our library.

NEW BUILDING

Opened for use in 2005, this addition to the Art Colony has contributed much needed space to improve the Art Colony's ability to provide more services to artists, to expand our art education, and to provide a truly excellent environment to nuture creativity. Located right next door to the Old Building and connected by a lovely deck with one of the best Lake Views in Grand Marais, this building includes private studio space, a non-toxic print studio, a ceramics studio, and a warm glass studio.

MULTI-PURPOSE ROOM

Located on the 2nd level of the New Building, this small gallery space has a half bathroom, small kitchenette area, and track lighting for gallery exhibits. It can be set up for any kind of media use and is ideal for a small, intimate group.

C.C. GRAHAM STUDIO

Located in the 3rd level of the New Building, the C.C. Graham Studio Space offers two private artist's spaces with north facing windows, kitchenette, and a full bath. Space is rented out by the month to local artists.

NON-TOXIC PRINT STUDIO

One of the only, fully non-toxic print studios in the Midwest, this space is the most beautiful in the New Building, offering excellent views of the Grand Marais Harbor and East Bay. The studio contains a large art press and a smaller multi-run press bed used mainly for block printing. No mineral spirits are allowed in this studio and all cleaning is accomplished with common household products, mainly Windex and vegetable oil. This studio can comfortably accommodate 7 - 10 people. It is available for rent on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

CLAY STUDIO

Located in the basement of the New Building, this small studio houses 7 electric wheels, and one outdoor kick wheel. The Art Colony owns an electric kiln which is able to fire to cone 10. Art Colony potters experiment with other firing techniques from Raku, to primitive, to gas. Any type of clay may be used by renters, but it is suggested that instructors choose from low fire red, raku, buff stoneware, or porcelain. This studio is available to rent on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

WARM GLASS STUDIO

Located on the first level of the New Building, right next door to the clay studio, the warm glass studio houses a large kiln and four smaller kilns for the purposes of glass fusing and slumping. It is also an ideal space for stained glass and glass bead making, and we offer classes in all of these mediums. This studio can also be used for jewelry making. We have a small kiln set aside specifically to be used in dirty firing processes, such as lost wax. The studio features durable counter spaces as well as grinders and glass cutters.

STUDIO RENTAL

Studio Rental Agreement
Studio Membership Application