Important Milestones

January 08, 2019 - Founding and First Meeting 

January, 2019 - First Steering Committee:  Julie Arthur, Max Linehan, Bob Swanson, Natalie Sobanja, and Kathy Weinberg

March 2019 - League Facebook Group launched

April 2019 - First League show at JHP representing 34 artists 

March 2020 - Response to Covid-19 - pivot and conduct meetings on Zoom and begin development of a League website

July 1, 2020 - Launch of website with an Online Gallery and Shop 

September 2020 - First artist sales from online shop

November 2020 - Launch of social media on Facebook and Instagram

Summer 2023 - Show at Phipps Gallery, Hudson, WI

Fall 2024 - Show at White Bear Center for the Arts, White Bear Lake, MN

October 2024 - Initiate self-nominated Board of Directors to 2-year terms

January 2025 - Launch of “Art Pods” to enhance face-to-face meetings within local communities 

July 2025 - Sixth Annual Member Show

History 

The North Shore Artists League was founded in January of 2019, born out of a moment of inspiration during a strategic planning session hosted by the Johnson Heritage Post (JHP) and the Cook County Historical Society. In late 2018, local artist Kathy Fox Weinberg was invited by JHP’s Executive Director, Carrie Johnson, to participate in a conversation about the future of the center. During the discussions, Weinberg recognized the need for a stronger connection between JHP and the local artistic community. This led to her proposal of creating an “artists league” to unite the talented individuals in the area.

The response was overwhelming. On January 8, 2019, the first meeting was held at JHP, with 28 artists gathering to discuss the idea. This demonstrated the clear desire for such a community. By April of that same year, the League hosted its first multi-media show, featuring 34 artists at the Johnson Heritage Center in Grand Marais. The exhibition was a hit, drawing 75 community members to the opening reception.

Today, the League thrives as a 501(c)(7) non-profit organization under federal and Minnesota state revenue codes, uniting artists to collaborate, showcase their work, and contribute to the cultural fabric of the North Shore.