Biota Borealis is a permanent art installation outside Johnson Heritage Post

On September 28th, 2024, a new public art project was unveiled at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery in Grand Marais. Preceding the event was a corresponding artist talk with the sculptor who created the work, Maeve Gathje. Historic Cook County has been working with Gathje since November 2023 to bring this project to life, titled Biota Borealis. It consists of three sand-blasted Minnesota granite stones displaying scenes of Northern Minnesota beauty.

Some inspiration for the piece came from a public survey, where community members provided feedback on topics, themes, and ideas that define the area. Gathje also found inspiration in selecting the rocks herself and drawing from her relationship with the land, water, and people of the area. WTIP’s Kirsten Wisniewski reported on this process in April of 2024. Learn more about that process here. Funding for this project was made possible through support from the Lloyd K. Johnson Foundation.

See WTIP’s video feature by M Baxley below.

M Baxley October 3, 2024