Hundreds of visitors enjoy local creations at the winter Hovland Arts Festival

Nov 30, 2023 10:29AM ● By Content Editor

Photo: The Hovland Arts Festival saw a good turnout of both artists and visitors. All photos by Haley Brickner

By Haley Brickner - Boreal Community Media Exclusive - November 30, 2023

Over 20 local artists gathered for the annual Hovland Arts Festival on November 26, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hovland, MN. The tiny unincorporated community of Hovland delivered a wonderfully festive event complete with food, music, and tons of local talent. According to the Hovland Arts Festival event organizers, "We had a very successful winter Hovland Arts Festival, with 17 local artists, 2 food vendors, local music, and hundreds of guests and visitors. Everyone had a wonderful time and we look forward to our summer festival in July!"

Grand Portage locals Bruce and Colleen Waltz served up traditional fry bread, creamy chicken wild rice soup, and a selection of homemade breads from their stand Mama Bears Kitchen. Mama Bears is a local favorite at the annual Grand Portage powwow.

Woven baskets by Hovland local Julie Kean. Kean has been making baskets for over 20 years using materials found around her Northwoods home.

Handcrafted leather goods by self-taught leather crafter Dee Closson of Up North Leather Goods.

Linda Newman, owner of Scent from Nature, displays her handcrafted beeswax candles. The Scent from Nature workshop is off grid, using solar energy to create these candles. On the left are Newman's unique cedar and sweetgrass pillar candles. Beeswax candles burn longer, do not drip or smoke, have a natural mild honey smell, and purify the air as they burn!

Kari Carter Pottery of Schroeder, MN.

Lily Wilson of Earth Body Healing displays her selection of small-batch handmade botanicals. For her Little Fox Botanicals line, Wilson uses herbs that are sustainably wild-harvested, locally grown, and/or organic. Earth Body Healing, located in downtown Grand Marais, also offers massage therapy, yoga classes, and tarot readings.