ANIMAL LIFE: ART FROM THE KALEVALA exhibition
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Cynthia Cote
Jan 20, 2026, 2:55:11 PMJan 20
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Copper Country Community Arts Center
126 Quincy Street Hancock, MI 49930Contact: Cynthia Cote (906) 482-2333 or cyn...@coppercountryarts.com
For immediate release: January 20, 2026
ANIMAL LIFE: ART FROM THE KALEVALA exhibition
HANCOCK, MI – Animal Life: Art from the Kalevala is an annual exhibition at the
Copper Country Community Arts Center in coordination with the City of Hancock’s
Heikinpäivä mid-winter celebration.
Copper Country Community Arts Center in coordination with the City of Hancock’s
Heikinpäivä mid-winter celebration.
The Kalevala is a 19th century work of poetry compiled by Elias Lönnrot from Finnish
and Karelian oral folklore and mythology. It is the national epic poem of Finland and is
one of the most significant works of Finnish literature.
and Karelian oral folklore and mythology. It is the national epic poem of Finland and is
one of the most significant works of Finnish literature.
Artists were invited to delve into the Kalevala and find a reference to one of the many
animals that are integral to the stories. This year the open call for participation resulted
in 42 artists who submitted works in painting, printmaking, drawing, digital, clay
sculpture, wood, and fiber art. The artists are: Nancy Auer, Julie Bakkila, Helen - Luhja
Belopavlovich, Betsy Buckner, Cynthia Cote, Bob Dawson, Mavis Farr, Terri Frew,
Tammy Toj Gajewski, James Harju, Pamela Hecht, Lindsey Heiden, Gretchen Hein,
Kirstin Hensley, Cynthia Hodges, Jeanne Houle Peters, Hazel Johnson, Tammy Kero,
Joyce Koskenmaki, Oksana Kostiv, Nancy Kromer, Emily Lanctot, Nancy Langston,
Bonnie Loukus, Nikki Madisen, Donald Mattson, Bonnie McLeod, Madhura Mehendale,
Clyde Mikkola, Angel Miller, Kathy Narhi and Mark Waisanen, Jerome Patryjak, Carol
Phillips, Miriam Pickens, Chris Schmidt, Bobbi Shirey, Bethany Teeters, Olivia Teeters,
Randy Wakeham, Molly Wallen, and Miskwa Yellowknife. The artists were asked to
include the runes or lines from the Kalevala that inspired their art. These are available to
viewers.
animals that are integral to the stories. This year the open call for participation resulted
in 42 artists who submitted works in painting, printmaking, drawing, digital, clay
sculpture, wood, and fiber art. The artists are: Nancy Auer, Julie Bakkila, Helen - Luhja
Belopavlovich, Betsy Buckner, Cynthia Cote, Bob Dawson, Mavis Farr, Terri Frew,
Tammy Toj Gajewski, James Harju, Pamela Hecht, Lindsey Heiden, Gretchen Hein,
Kirstin Hensley, Cynthia Hodges, Jeanne Houle Peters, Hazel Johnson, Tammy Kero,
Joyce Koskenmaki, Oksana Kostiv, Nancy Kromer, Emily Lanctot, Nancy Langston,
Bonnie Loukus, Nikki Madisen, Donald Mattson, Bonnie McLeod, Madhura Mehendale,
Clyde Mikkola, Angel Miller, Kathy Narhi and Mark Waisanen, Jerome Patryjak, Carol
Phillips, Miriam Pickens, Chris Schmidt, Bobbi Shirey, Bethany Teeters, Olivia Teeters,
Randy Wakeham, Molly Wallen, and Miskwa Yellowknife. The artists were asked to
include the runes or lines from the Kalevala that inspired their art. These are available to
viewers.
Everyone is invited to the public reception with the artists on Saturday, January 24 from
2:00-4pm. Finnish style refreshments will be served.
2:00-4pm. Finnish style refreshments will be served.
The Copper Country Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in
Hancock, Michigan and is supported in part by a grant from the Michigan Arts and
Culture Council with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Hancock, Michigan and is supported in part by a grant from the Michigan Arts and
Culture Council with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Animal Life: Art from the Kalevala will be on display in the CCCAC Kerredge Gallery
January 24 through February 28, 2026. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 11-6
and Saturdays 10-2.
January 24 through February 28, 2026. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday 11-6
and Saturdays 10-2.
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Photos: Otso the Bear by Tammy Gajewski, Sings the Cuckoo by Tammy Kero, Ukko's
Sheep by Bonnie Loukus, Otso's Footsteps by James Harju, Fierce and Fleet by Donald
Mattson
Sheep by Bonnie Loukus, Otso's Footsteps by James Harju, Fierce and Fleet by Donald
Mattson
Cynthia Cote
Executive Director
Copper Country Community Arts Council
126 Quincy Street Hancock, MI 49930
Executive Director
Copper Country Community Arts Council
126 Quincy Street Hancock, MI 49930
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