Artists of Grand Portage

Fingerweaving is the art of making material with the fingers instead of a loom. Prior to European contact Indigenous peoples in North America wove and twined with plants and animal fibers for a multitude of purposes. We know the beautiful, dense, warp-faced arrow and lightning motif sashes created by changing the weft that we associate with the Fur Trade are uniquely tied to North America.

In February 2025, Grand Portage National Monument added a new painting to its collection. Gichi-Onigaming Amik / Grand Portage Beaver is the title of a painting by Zhaawanoogiishik / Sam Zimmerman. Sam explains his inspiration behind this piece.

The People of Northern Nights, Starry Skies is an exhibit featuring the work of Carl Gawboy and Travis Novitsky inspired by a WDSE documentary. Paintings and photos on display at Grand Portage National Monument's Heritage Center, December 10, 2022 - January 31, 2023

When the Great Spirit presents a challenge to the birds, one of the birds tricks the others and earns the prettiest song. Find out which bird—and where you can hear it today.

World renown artist and visionary George Morrison, a son of Grand Portage, was born in Chippewa City outside Grand Marais, Minnesota in 1919, and grew up with the beauty of Lake Superior as a backdrop. He was the first Native American Artist to have his work recognized and displayed in the White House.