This week our building got a major upgrade with the installation of a beautiful 10-foot by 20-foot riverscape interpretation mural painted by artist Paul LaJeunesse, currently out of Duluth.

Paul is a professional artist and educator who is no stranger to Grand Marais. His family lives in Duluth where he was teaching at St. Scholastica. He had already created five public murals before he contacted us in the spring to tell us about his latest vision. He received a Minnesota State Arts Board Grant to fund another project and he thought Stone Harbor might be the perfect fit.

The Art Board’s overarching vision is that “the arts are essential for a vibrant society.” To that end, they look to fund public art projects that will inspire and uplift all people of Minnesota, celebrating who we are and where we are.

After discussions of what he envisioned and where it might find a home, we were excited to have this work of art on our building, and that’s where our involvement ended for many months while Paul worked on his project in Duluth.

His painting, titled “Forge,” is not directly representative of any one location, but rather inspired by the many streams and rivers that flow along the north shore into Lake Superior. The colors demonstrate the play of light just before and after dawn and dusk. Grand Marais is a launching pad for adventure, whether by foot, canoe, kayak, bike, or other means. “Forge” is meant to remind you of past launching throughout the area’s history, and inspire you to continue launching forward personally.

Finally the panels were completed and Paul travelled up the shore this week to install his work of art on our north wall. WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins came by during the first day of installation and interviewed Paul. You can listen to that interview here. By the end of the first day, all four panels were up. The second day saw an application of a border and an acrylic varnish top coat. This will protect the painting for up to 40 years.

We love that Paul loves Grand Marais and we are honored to help display his interpretation of all the area has to offer to everyone who visits this special place.

Thank you to the Minnesota State Arts Board for making this possible, and to Paul for bringing it to life and to us.