The Cook County Historical Society to host solo exhibits for two Plein Air Grand Marais grand prize winners at the Johnson Heritage Post

The Cook County Historical Society is excited to kick off the summer season of main gallery exhibits at Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, with solo shows from Neil Sherman and Brock Larson. Larson and Sherman are well known to the Cook County community for their landscape art pieces, notably, both winning the grand prize for best body of work at the 2023 and 2024 Grand Marais Plein Air events. 

Sherman’s work will be on display beginning May 24 - June 15, with an opening reception on May 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Of his work, he says, “My particular method of painting has roots that date back to the Impressionist era, specifically, through the "prismatic palette" which is geared toward allowing subtle control of color and value in a landscape.” With his artwork, he aims to capture the feeling of a particular day. “Those days or hours may never be repeated again, so capturing the essence is important so that people who have known those days and hours can remember and others who have not known can be transported there via the painting,” he said. 

Larson began drawing at a young age and found his calling at the Atelier Studio Program of Fine Arts in Minneapolis, which focuses on realistic paintings and drawings. It was also at the Atelier where he discovered his love of teaching, and would eventually go on to open up The Great Lakes Academy of Fine Art in Duluth with his father, who is also an artist. Larson’s exhibit will feature a collection of recent and past works that study efforts to capture the light, mood, and nature of northern life. The gallery exhibit will run from June 21 to July 13, with an opening reception on June 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Victoria Lewandowski, Johnson Heritage Post gallery manager, said, “JHP is thrilled to host upcoming solo exhibitions from two winners of the Plein Air Grand Marais competition. Both artists have made significant contributions to plein air painting and art education along the North Shore including Sherman’s involvement with the Grand Marais Art Colony and Larson’s part in establishing the Great Lakes Atelier of Fine Art. We invite visitors to explore how each artist uniquely depicts the vast, wild beauty of northern life and landscapes.”

For more information, visit cookcountyhistory.org/johnson-heritage-post-art-gallery