Oct 9, 2021
Whitney Bingham, owner of Silver Rider Stitchworks, showcases her handmade canvas bags outside of Madgoodies Studio at the corner of Third and Ohio streets in Marquette on Thursday. Bingham was one of many local creatives to participate in this year’s First Thursdays Art Walks, which were hosted by the city of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture on the first Thursday of each month throughout the summer. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
MARQUETTE — Looking for the perfect gift, or just something to beautify your living space? While there’s no shortage of options at online shopping sites or big box retailers, downtown Marquette hosts an array of locally owned shops.
Often hidden along the bustling streets, however, are many local art galleries and studios, owned and operated by local creators.
Informing the community of these galleries and studios has been the goal of the First Thursdays Art Walks program. It’s a summer-long event hosted by the city of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture intended to showcase these creatives on the first Thursday of each month.
During each event, the public was invited to stroll across town, stopping at more #gallery-5 { margin: auto; } #gallery-5 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-5 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-5 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

than a dozen galleries and studios along the way, some of which are not normally open to the public.
Each gallery or studio participates in different ways. Some have sales, others have artist demonstrations, workshops, community art projects, public tours and more.
Pictured from left are Samantha Rhodes, owner of Samantha Rhodes Ceramics; Chelsey Bassett, owner of Tenderfoot Studio; Whitney Bingham, owner of Silver Rider Stitchworks; Madeline Goodman, owner of Madgoodies Studio; and Chloe Walimaa, owner of ChloeLeaCreations. The quintet were five of many local creatives to participate in this year’s First Thursdays Art Walks, which were hosted by the city of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture on the first Thursday of each month throughout the summer. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
Similar events take place across the country. The idea of a local First Thursdays was partly brought to fruition by Madeline Goodman, owner and operator of Madgoodies Studio, located at 209 W. Ohio St.
“I helped start it up with the city and Graci Gallery,” Goodman said. “Just to see that we can bring in upcoming artists and actually have a place for them to sell their work and show off their work is huge.”
Madgoodies was established in 2018. Goodman specializes in handcrafted organic jewelry, and also sells pieces from artists across the Midwest. Goodman said First Thursdays has allowed a lot of people to discover her gallery, and many more across the city.
“A lot of people have been walking down the street and they have not found certain shops in town or galleries,” she said. “So it’s kind of like a treasure hunt around town.”
Galleries, studios and artists along with Madgoodies that participated Thursday night included Niik Creative Co., Graci Gallery, Rustico, Zero Degrees, Gordon Gearhart, HOTplate Clayworks, Epps Apothecary, HOTplate Pottery, The Gallery Marquette, Ann Russ, MidSky Gallery, Wintergreen Hill Gallery and Gifts, and Superior Culture.
Ceramic works and other types of home decor are displayed inside Niik Creative Co., located at 2905 Island Beach Road in Marquette, on Thursday. Niik Creative Co. was one of more than a dozen galleries and studios to participate in this year’s First Thursdays Art Walks, which were hosted by the city of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture on the first Thursday of each month throughout the summer. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
To find Niik Creative Co., you’ll need to go off the beaten path a little. The gallery, owned by Niikah Hatfield, is located at 2905 Island Beach Road at Presque Isle Park. Hatfield specializes in handmade ceramics and home decor.
Hatfield is in her first year of business at the location. She noted that First Thursdays are a great way to connect the public to each gallery and studio, and connect each gallery and studio with one another.
“I think it’s been a really beautiful way to connect all of the different galleries in Marquette,” she said. “There’s a lot of amazing, local talent and it’s really amazing to work together as a community to put something together. That’s been the beautiful part about it, connecting with all of the other local artists and creating something that tourists and locals can come to.”
Hatfield added that First Thursdays have been beneficial in bringing people in throughout the summer.
“It’s definitely picked up a little bit,” she said. “I’m off the beaten path and that’s one of the beautiful things about (First Thursdays) is bringing awareness to the artists who are on the outskirts.
Artwork is displayed inside of Madgoodies Studio on the corner of Third and Ohio streets in Marquette on Thursday. Madgoodies Studio was one of more than a dozen galleries and studios to participate in this year’s First Thursdays Art Walks, which were hosted by the city of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture on the first Thursday of each month throughout the summer. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
“We’re always hoping for more, especially in the upcoming year. This was our first year and we did great for that, but there’s plenty of room to grow.”
Hatfield also sells works from other local artists such as blacksmith pieces from Gordon Gearhart, jewelry from Kalil Zender, cutting boards from Justin Savu and more.
Along with perusing the various galleries and studios, the public was also invited to participate in an array of other activities.
Zero Degrees Gallery hosted a Zentangle workshop, a drawing method that is an “easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns,” according to the Zentangle website.
Madgoodies hosted a community fiber art project, and directly across from Madgoodies at the corner of Third and Ohio streets, the public was able to participate in a scavenger hunt within the new “Power of Words” mural that was unveiled at the end of August.
Paintings are displayed inside Wintergreen Hill Gallery and Gifts, located at 810 N. Third St. in Marquette, on Thursday. Wintergreen Hill Gallery and Gifts was one of more than a dozen galleries and studios to participate in this year’s First Thursdays Art Walks, which were hosted by the city of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture on the first Thursday of each month throughout the summer. (Journal photo by Ryan Spitza)
In a previous interview with The Mining Journal, Tiina Morin, manager of the Office of Arts and Culture, didn’t rule out hosting similar events during the winter months.
“I’m not sure exactly what (Morin) has up her sleeve at the moment, but I’m sure it’s something good,” Goodman said regarding the potential for winter events. “Her team is amazing. They work as a team of 10, and there’s only three of them. They’re always coming up with new ideas and are bringing new events to the city and also helping all of the local artists.
“Whatever project or any ideas that (artists) have, (the Marquette Office of Arts and Culture) makes it happen, and I think that’s exactly what we need in town.”
For more information on the city of Marquette Office of Arts and Culture, visit www.marquettemi.gov/departments/community-services/arts-and-culture/ or call 906-228-0472.
For more upcoming art events and other community happenings, visit the city’s new community calendar at www.mqtcompass.com.
Ryan Spitza can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. His email address is [email protected].
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