Throughout history artists have influenced the way all cultures have viewed themselves, the world, and their place in it. This fact is no more evident than in the tradition of American parks and wilderness areas. Painters, photographers, and sculptors continue to document the American landscape with contemporary approaches and techniques. Writers, musicians, composers, and other artists and artisans also draw upon our environmental heritage, creating works that remind us of these special places. This is as true in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness Area as it is in our national parks. One only needs to think of their favorite photograph by Dan Urbanski to realize that nature in the hands of an artist is a uniquely powerful force.

The late Dan Urbanski, founding president of the Friends and award-winning photographer who lived near the Porkies, inspired the creation of this program. Dan spent many years hiking and photographing the unique aspects of the Porkies. He created and edited the Friends’ newsletter, the Quill, and was a tireless supporter of the Porkies and the Friends. In tribute to his memory and efforts with Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, the Friends have built a rustic timber-framed cabin to house the various artists that will participate in this program, which was established in 2007. Above left, painter Susan Henshaw works on the porch of Dan's Cabin during her July 2007 residency.

Exploring ideas of Wilderness from George Desort, Filmmaker:

This past summer I participated as an artist-in-residence in Porcupine Mountain State Park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As a result, I have started an on-line community art project exploring our different philosophies on wilderness.

I am looking for postcard art expressing your views. Please pass the link to the website below on to friends, family, teachers, and anyone you know who has feelings and emotions regarding wild places. Thanks and I hope to see the mailbox at the end of the driveway overflowing with artwork.

Wilderness Postcard Art

Journal Entries from Leslie Askwith, Writer:

October 20, 2007
Beaver Creek Trail

A trail through a gentle Japanese garden, the crooked leanings of gray hardwood trunks, imperfect and awkwardly picturesque. The friendly hardwoods and the brook that tumbles cheerfully alongside the path chattering gaily like a joyfully gossipy companion. The path is wide and smooth in most parts, uninterrupted by potential snags and roots to stumble over. So one can walk happily as though walking were the thing rather the constant observing of what is underfoot.

October 21, 2007
Carp River Trail

It’s hard not to laugh with joy at the sight of old hemlocks rising in the sun and shade with no fanfare, no sign, no neon lights announcing their majesty. They are just there, waiting to be discovered.

Images of the Porkies from Ron Strong, Photographer:

Above are images from Ron's fall residency. The first is a night time image of Lake Superior. The second photo is of The Little Carp River. See more of his photographs at www.strongpic.com

Lyrics from Dave McCormick, Songwriter:

PORCUPINE MOUNTAIN GOODBYE

When the children are grown and they look to the sky
Aurora will still dance and Polaris still shine
The rivers will tumble from the lakes way up high
Til next time its a Porkies Goodbye

The Winter turns white, the fall turns to gold
The summer turns green as the spring leaves unfold
Superior sings songs ancient and old
Till next time its a Porkies Goodbye

Come with me please, Come hold my hand
Walk with me down thru these old virgin stands
Let me tell you the stories of this Wilderness land
In the Porcupine Mountains, In the Porcupine Mountains
Till next time its a Porkies Goodbye

Poems from Rosalie Petrouske – AIR 2008:

Framed in my Lens (haiku)

A red leaf flutters,
Above the rushing water;
Manabezho Falls.

Manabezho Falls

Water rushing,
hear its roar
on the approach.
Powerful spirit God
resides in this churning
fall of silver blue.
Tread softly, place a foot
just so, follow the steps
of the Ojibwa who walked
here long ago.