Upfirst
Community Starlight April 2024
Art In The UP & UPLC
By Mike OSullivan
April 18, 2024
Marquette--This is a wonderful time for immersion into the talented, diverse, and growing art community of Marquette County and the Upper Peninsula. Artists attract tourists. Tourists spend money. Economic success is important to Yoopers.
Joining Lake Superior Art Association (LSAA) to keep current on local art happenings is important for local and regional artists. The membership fee is $10 per year.
The City of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture in the lower level of the Peter White Public Library is a hub of activity, assistance, and opportunity for all types of artists.
My husband, Todd Carter, is an award-wining regional Marquette artist. Todd's vibrant colorful artwork is on sale at the Spring & Third Gift Store at the Marquette Regional History Center (MRHC).
Todd is excited to be joining Wintergreen Hill Gallery & Gifts on Third Street in Marquette beginning May 1.
Right: Todd Carter and TV6 personality Tia Trudgeon enjoying Todd's pictorial map of the City of Marquette and Marquette Township during last year's Artists in the Round at Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival.
Meanwhile, I joined the board of Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy (UPLC) in March. UPLC has more than 6,700 acres of land protected across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
A recent Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy hike at Vielmetti-Peters Reservewith students of the Center for Native American Studies at NMU(me far left; UPLC staff Clare and Em 2nd and 3rd from right; with CNAS students)
Todd and I live in a forest in Marquette Township along the Dead River on Forestville Basin. We enjoy giant white and red pine trees, birch trees, sugar maple trees, oak trees, and other beautiful species. We see swans, eagles, cranes, herons, ducks of every kind, robins, and of course much more wildlife.
Who knows what special gift each day will bring? Every special sighting or encounter with a wild bird or animal is a gift with a lesson to teach.
Supporting and joining UPLC as a board member helping to conserve our Upper Peninsula forests brings me joy and purpose. I especially enjoy adventures with our Anishinaabe communities, from which there is much to learn.
Visit UPLC's website to register for hikes and other events:Events | UP Land Conservancy
For more information about UPLC, please visit the UPLC web site.
Come and join the fun this summer! Please support the arts and UPLC!
--Mike OSullivan (she/her) writes poetry and non-fiction articles. Mike is a board member of Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy (UPLC). She is a retired multi-credentialed healthcare coding consultant living in Marquette with her beloved husband, Todd Carter. Todd is an award-winning regional artist. He is a lifelong painter, educator, and technical specialist. Todd contributes artwork, photos, technical support, and editing support to Upfirst.com.
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Todd Carter
Michaeleen (Mike) OSullivan
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