Image: Bryan Hansel

From Boreal Community Media - July 30, 2024


If you've ever wanted to learn how to make your own maps, now is your chance. Local photographer and cartographer Bryan Hansel was recently awarded a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, and is inviting community members and visitors to a free drop-in map-making workshop. 

Hansel shared that the workshop is beginner-friendly (no experience required and all skill levels invited), and will allow attendees to "explore the art of hand-drawn map making". Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to "create their own artistic map of the Grand Marais Harbor in just 15 to 30 minutes" with simple techniques to sketch the Harbor and add "personal touches that reflect their experience or memories of the area". 

Image: Bryan Hansel 

The drop-in workshops will take place at the Lake Superior Trading Post in Grand Marais, Minnesota on August 9th and 10th from 10 am to 2 pm each day. No reservations are required; attendees of all ages are encouraged to drop in at any time during workshop hours. All materials will be provided free of charge. 

"We're offering a quick, fun introduction to hand-drawn cartography that celebrates our beautiful harbor," says Hansel. "It's a perfect activity for locals and tourists alike to capture their personal connection to this iconic landscape."

For more information, please contact Bryan Hansel at [email protected].

About the Instructor:

Bryan Hansel is certified in cartography with experience in both digital and hand-drawn map making. He has taught navigation and map reading for sea kayaking expeditions and has been creating artistic maps since 2022.

About the Funding: 

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts.