JHP announces 2026 exhibits, beginning with artwork and artifacts of north shore life over the last 100 years

Image: A painting by Ade Tofte, 1971. JHP Permanent Collection

The Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery (JHP) is pleased to announce its 2026 main gallery exhibition schedule, beginning with a collection of pieces that honor the intersection of north shore history and contemporary local artistry.

Opening January 2, 2026, the gallery’s first major exhibition of the year offers a unique, immersive look at the last 100 years of life on the north shore. This exhibition bridges the gap between art and history by pairing historic and contemporary local works from the JHP permanent collection with physical artifacts from the Cook County Historical Society’s archives.

At the same time, from January 2 through the end of March, the Anna C. Johnson Permanent Collection Rotation will feature a fresh selection of works. This year’s rotation focuses specifically on the life of Anna and the Johnson family in Grand Marais. Along with artwork, the display will include family artifacts alongside Anna’s celebrated pieces, offering a personal glimpse into the heritage of the family and the artist.

Some highlights of the 2026 gallery exhibit season include the following:

  • Extended Plein Air: The 2026 Plein Air Grand Marais exhibition, beginning September 18, will feature an extended run in 2026. Artwork from local artists will be on display until November 1.

  • Enhanced Permanent Collection Presence: JHP is increasing the visibility of its permanent collection. The left back corner of the center gallery is now dedicated to a quarterly artist rotation. Currently, visitors can view two paintings by Ade Toftey, on display through February.

  • A Look Toward 2027: Looking ahead, the gallery is preparing for a shift in 2027 to a schedule of nine exhibitions per year, with each show running five to six weeks. 

See the full 2026 schedule below:

  • Scenes of the North Shore (Permanent Collection Feature): 1/2 – 1/25

  • Fiber Guild: 1/30 – 2/22

  • Winter Plein Air: 2/27 – 3/22

  • Line Shape Color (Steve Dahlstrom): 3/27 – 4/19

  • NSAL 7th Annual Show (North Shore Artists League): 4/24 – 5/17

  • PAGM 2025 Winner (Logan Hudson): 5/22 – 6/14

  • Emily Donovan: 6/19 – 7/12

  • Borderlands (Group Exhibition): 7/17 – 8/9

  • Marcia Roepke: 8/14 – 9/13

  • Plein Air Grand Marais 2026: 9/18 – 11/1

  • Spirit of the Wilderness: 11/6 – 11/29

  • Allison Eklund: 12/4 – 1/3

Additionally, we have decided to extend our current December Artist of the Month through the end of January. This special exhibit is dedicated to honoring the lives and artistic contributions of two community members who have passed, Jane Burley and Tom Haas. And, for the first time, we are sharing a unique painting by local artist Birney Quick—a personal gift he gave to Burley—which was graciously donated by her family.

The History Museum is open this winter Wednesday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. (yes, even on December 24 and December 31)! The Museum will be closed on December 25 and January 1.

The JHP Art Gallery will be open during its regular hours this winter (Thurs–Sat 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Sun 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.), except for Dec. 25 & Jan. 1.

Admission to the Museum and JHP is free for all, with donations graciously accepted, but not required. 

For the most up-to-date gallery hours, visit: cookcountyhistory.org/johnson-heritage-post-art-gallery