CCCAC Kerredge Exhibition Gallery
Animal Life: Art from the Kalevala
January 24-February 28, 2026
Opening reception: Saturday, January 24 from 2-4pm
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.
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.
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.
Everyone is invited to the public reception with the artists on Saturday, January 24 from 2-4pm. 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.
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.
Image: "Sings the Cuckoo" painting by Tammy Kero
January 24-February 28, 2026
Opening reception: Saturday, January 24 from 2-4pm
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.
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.
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.
Everyone is invited to the public reception with the artists on Saturday, January 24 from 2-4pm. 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.
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.
Image: "Sings the Cuckoo" painting by Tammy Kero
2026 Exhibition Schedule
February
“Animal Life - Art from the Kalevala” community call for art
Jan 24-Feb 28 Reception: Jan 24 2-4 pm
March
“Celebrate Youth Arts Month”
March 7 – April 4 Reception: March 7 from noon-2pm
April
Native Arts – group exhibition
April 7 – May 2
Reception: Thursday, April 9 6-7:30
May
Rob Kangas - paintings
May 6-30
Reception: Thursday, May 7 from 6-7:30
June
Buellwood Weavers and Fiber Artists Guild group exhibition
Reception: Thursday, June 11 from 6-7:30pm
July
Three Photographers
Dates TBD
August
Clyde Mikkola – watercolors
September
Peg McNinch – fiber art
October
Remembering Gordon Borsvold
November
The Shaft
November 4-28
Reception: TBD with Party with the Arts
December
6X6 annual Fundraiser Exhibition
“Animal Life - Art from the Kalevala” community call for art
Jan 24-Feb 28 Reception: Jan 24 2-4 pm
March
“Celebrate Youth Arts Month”
March 7 – April 4 Reception: March 7 from noon-2pm
April
Native Arts – group exhibition
April 7 – May 2
Reception: Thursday, April 9 6-7:30
May
Rob Kangas - paintings
May 6-30
Reception: Thursday, May 7 from 6-7:30
June
Buellwood Weavers and Fiber Artists Guild group exhibition
Reception: Thursday, June 11 from 6-7:30pm
July
Three Photographers
Dates TBD
August
Clyde Mikkola – watercolors
September
Peg McNinch – fiber art
October
Remembering Gordon Borsvold
November
The Shaft
November 4-28
Reception: TBD with Party with the Arts
December
6X6 annual Fundraiser Exhibition
Exhibition Opportunities
Exhibitions in the Kerredge Gallery at the Copper Country Community Arts Center are scheduled a year in advance. If you would like to be considered for an exhibition for 2027-2028, contact Cynthia Cote at [email protected] with a proposal and 5-7 images of your work for consideration.
Exhibitions in the Kerredge Gallery at the Copper Country Community Arts Center are scheduled a year in advance. If you would like to be considered for an exhibition for 2027-2028, contact Cynthia Cote at [email protected] with a proposal and 5-7 images of your work for consideration.
