I post a lot about books found at the Duluth Public Library sale, or at the former Gabriel’s books, as part of the general project in my class to excavate the literary history of Duluth and to work with the UMD archives to preserve it.
This animated music video was inspired by the Minnesota Million: Reforestation for Carbon Sequestration Project, which is focused on the reforestation of one million acres in northern Minnesota. It will be screened at Dovetail Cafe & Marketplace on July 3 at 6 p.m. as part of the Cafe Scientifique event. Dr. Julie Etterson will speak about the Minnesota Million Project and free seedlings will be given away. Please come hear about this exciting project and help us reforest the northland.
Working mostly with Copic markers, digital drawings and occasional oil paints, Kai Murphy has created commissioned artwork for Duluth Superior Pride, Trans Northland, the H.O.T.D.I.S.H. Militia and more. Murphy started their practice making fan art in online communities, and has since branched out from there. Readers can view their artwork and learn more in the interview, below:
Atlas posing at Studio Cafe with one of his puppet heads. Photo by Jess Morgan.
Since moving to Duluth from the South about two years ago, Atlas, or the artist behind Promontoy Palace, has been interweaving his solo artistic practice into local arts projects. His work can be found at the upcoming Dollhaus event, as well as an upcoming show in August at Studio Cafe. He utilizes puppets, poetry, paintings and ambient music to tell stories through a variety of mediums. To learn more about his current and upcoming work, check out the recent interview below.
This post, also looking for resources and connections for my fall 2025 course in Minnesota Writers, has two asks.
Participants in the third Dollhaus fashion show, held at the Main Club in Superior on Aug. 24, 2024. (Photos via Dollhaus)
More than half of Americans believe in some extraterrestrial form of life. Considering the size of the universe, it’s not inconceivable to imagine an alien touching down on our planet someday. So what would happen if, one day, an alien came to Earth? It would be nice to imagine a scenario where this unknown creature is embraced. However, our culture has proven time and time again that the unfamiliar is not tolerated. What can’t be understood, must cease to exist. If an alien came to America, it would be swiftly eradicated.
Chance Lasher and Justin O. Rose meet to talk writing, art and creativity at the Loch game shop and cafe.
I visited the Loch on June 6 for an event celebrating and cultivating creativity. The event was sponsored by the Duluth Failed Poets Society.
At the Duluth Public Library sale, it seems that the Minnesota Poetry collection was weeded, deaccessioned.
I think that’s a loss.
Readers of Perfect Duluth Day know I am enchanted with International Falls and the Icebox Radio Theater. I write about it for the Duluth News Tribune too. For more than a decade, the Icebox Radio Theater has focused on the theater experience. The audio dramas developed under Jeffrey Adams’ artistic direction have been funny, moving, and technically well-executed. Some have won awards, including the Ambie Awards for Excellence in Audio. But, in many ways, as a podcast, the Icebox has focused on the theater and missed out on the charm of radio.
Outside the Poetry Dome in Chester Park. (Photo by Jess Morgan)
Duluthians wandering through Hillside-neighborhood parks or using the bus may have stumbled upon one of Robert Wildwood’s poetry collections hanging from a tree, or in other precarious or magical places. Wildwood shares about his latest outdoor poetry display in the interview below.
I am reconstructing the Poetry History of the Arrowhead as I prepare to teach my Minnesota Writers class. Today, I want to ask you whether you know anything about Meda Casler or Edith Addison Thomas.
Elvira T. Johnson was a leader among poets. As I reconstruct the history of the Arrowhead in poets, she seems to be a voice I need to reconstruct.
Google tells me John “Jack” Dahle was “born in Duluth, Minnesota, to Minnesota State Senator Clarence Arthur and Helen Jenswold Dahle.” But I have no idea who Helen Jenswold Dahle is. Does anyone else have any ideas? As I build a literary history of Duluth, I am missing information about this author.
Inspired by time spent sifting through family albums, Alex (Alby) Breilein creates photo-drawing collages from old photographs. The drawings are from snapshots taken before Breilein was born or formed memories. “I never knew them, yet they are a part of me,” she says of her grandparents’ pictures. Her artwork can be viewed at Wussow’s Concert Cafe throughout the month of June. Below is a recent interview with Breilein, as well as photos taken at her recent exhibit at Hemlocks Leatherworks:
