This summer, Voyageurs National Park will receive a vibrant community mural celebrating the park’s waters and skies. With support from the Voyageurs Conservancy, Sam Zimmerman will serve as a Community Artist and Educator in residence at the park from June 26 - July 1, 2022.
Sam Zimmerman - a Grand Portage direct descendant - is a painter, author, and educator based in Duluth, Minnesota. Zimmerman draws on his Ojibwe heritage to create vibrant images filled with symbolism. He passionately believes in artistic expression as a gateway for education and cultural understanding. His work continues the Anishinaabe tradition of storytelling, with themes of environmental stewardship and conservation. His work has been showcased in gallery and public installations throughout the nation and abroad.
During his residency, Sam Zimmerman will create a community mural on the shorelines of Voyageurs National Park. This painting will depict the unique landscape of the park, share Ojibwe teachings, and offer a space for dialogue. The public is encouraged to view Sam’s work in action at rotating ‘Mural Pop-ups’ located at the park’s visitor centers. At these pop-ups, you’ll meet Sam, observe his artistic process and learn how Ojibwe storytelling influences his paintings. A special event unveiling the new Voyageurs Community Mural will be hosted at the Ash River Visitor Center on Friday, July 1st from 1:00 - 2:00 PM. Join the National Park Service, Voyageurs Conservancy, and Sam Zimmerman to celebrate art and stewardship in our park.
June 26 - June 30 Schedule of Events
Voyageurs Community Mural Pop-ups
Join Sam Zimmerman, Ojibwe artist and educator, as he paints a community mural celebrating Voyageurs National Park’s waters and skies. Sam will paint a vibrant mural outside the Ash River Visitor Center from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. Stop by to meet Sam, observe his artistic process, and learn how Ojibwe storytelling influences his paintings.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to create their own artwork with a free Ojibwe constellation coloring sheet. Sam will also share traditional stories behind some of the most significant constellations. Perfect for families and children, you'll learn about Ojibwe star knowledge
Mural Pop Up Times & Locations:
Sunday, June 26:
Ash River Visitor Center
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Tuesday, June 28:
Voyageurs Community Mural Pop-up
Rainy Lake Visitor Center
1:00 - 4:00 PM
Thursday, June 30:
Voyageurs Community Mural Pop-up
Ash River Visitor Center
9:00 AM - Noon
Voyageurs Dark Sky Program with special guest Sam Zimmerman
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Rainy Lake Visitor Center
10 - 11 PM
Enjoy Voyageurs National Park's amazing night skies through a guided telescope session and constellation tour. Learn about the cultural and scientific significance of the stars, celestial objects, and how we all can play a role in preserving natural darkness. Special guest - Ojibwe artist, educator, and author - will share culturally relevant star stories with attendees.
Following My Spirit Home:
Book Talk & Signing with Sam Zimmerman
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
International Falls Library
5:30 - 6:30 PM
Enjoy an evening with Sam Zimmerman and admire the storytelling behind his captivating artwork.
Following My Spirit Home is a collection of stories and paintings by Sam Zimmerman, a Duluth based artist who creates vivid nature scenes combining creatures and their worlds. As an educator and artist, Sam’s work is inspired by the natural beauty of Minnesota’s North Shore and his Ojibwe heritage. His art is featured in galleries across the nation and abroad.
Voyageurs Dark Sky Program with special guest Sam Zimmerman
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Meadwood Day Use Site (Voyageurs Forest Overlook), Near the Ash River Visitor Center
10 - 11 PM
Enjoy Voyageurs National Park's amazing night skies through a guided telescope session and constellation tour. Learn about the cultural and scientific significance of the stars, celestial objects, and how we all can play a role in preserving natural darkness. Special guest - Ojibwe artist, educator, and author - will share culturally relevant star stories with attendees.
Community Mural Unveiling & Celebration
Friday, July 1, 2022
Ash River Visitor Center
1:00 - 2:00 PM
Celebrate the unveiling of the Voyageurs Community Mural with the National Park Service, Voyageurs Conservancy, and artist Sam Zimmerman. Meet Ojibwe artist and educator Sam Zimmerman and learn how the waters and skies of Voyageurs National Park, environmental stewardship, and traditional indigenous storytelling inspired this piece of artwork. This event is friendly for all-ages!
Can't make it to the park this week? Sam Zimmerman’s mural will be on display at the Ash River Visitor Center from July 1-31 and the Rainy Lake Visitor Center from August 1 - September 6, 2022.
ABOUT SAM ZIMMERMAN:
Sam Zimmerman, a Grand Portage direct descendant, is a painter, author, and educator based in Duluth, Minnesota. Zimmerman draws on his Ojibwe heritage to create vibrant images filled with symbolism. This led Zimmerman to return home to Minnesota to a life of painting, educating, and storytelling on the shores of Lake Superior. He passionately believes in artistic expression as a gateway for education and cultural understanding. His work continues the Anishinaabe tradition of storytelling, with themes of environmental stewardship and conservation through his public art commissions. He has illustrated a series of bilingual children's books for the Red Cliff Band of Ojibwe schools. Sam has been a recipient of Minnesota State Arts Board, Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, and Duluth Superior Community Foundation awards. His first book, Following My Spirit Home, a collection of paintings and stories celebrating the beauty of the North Shore of Lake Superior was published this past April. His work is currently in private collections both in the United States and abroad. View more of his work at @cranesuperior on Facebook and Instagram.
