Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center - NMU Events and Announcements

Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center

The Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center, in association with the Yarnwinders Fiber Guild of Marquette, are presenting a touring exhibition from the Handweavers Guild of America, Small Expressions. This exhibition will feature up to 40 pieces from handweavers artists across the United States. It will be on display from May 8 – June 27 at the Beaumier Center’s gallery in 223 Harden Hall on the campus of Northern Michigan University. Admission is free and open to the public.  The Center’s summer hours are 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

An annual juried exhibition showcasing contemporary small-scale works using fiber techniques in any media. Small in scale but visually compelling, the Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.’s (HGA) Small Expressions exhibit features work that speaks to the intricacy of expression, the intimacy of design, thoughtful communication, and visual excitement. The artists in this exhibit create a big impact through small pieces. Works juried into Small Expressions do not exceed 15 inches (38 centimeters) in any direction and are of exhibition quality, completed within the last two years, and not previously published. The artists whose works are exhibited skillfully use a variety of textile techniques, incorporating both traditional and nontraditional materials, while paying special attention to the limitations involved in creating small-scale works. Artworks have consisted of diverse fiber techniques such as weaving, interlacing, basket making, bead weaving, embroidery, felting, and mixed media.

The Yarwinders Fiber Guild of Marquette are a loosely woven group of handweavers who meet monthly to promote the art of handweaving and related fiber arts. They have participated in the Midsummer Festival, Upper Peninsula Folklife festival, Finn Fun Fest, the Iron History Museum fall harvest days festival, Alpaca Days in Skandia. Its members participate in regional art festivals and have their items for sale in many area galleries and shops.

Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center

The lives and work of the Upper Peninsula’s greatest politicians will be on display beginning on Friday, February 21, in the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center’s new exhibition, “The Political Life.” There will be an opening reception for the exhibition from 5 – 7 p.m. on Friday, February 21 in the Beaumier Center’s gallery in Gries Hall on the campus of Northern Michigan University. Admission to the reception and exhibition are free to the public. The exhibition will be on display at the Beaumier Center through June 28, 2025.

Ever since the Upper Peninsula became part of the State of Michigan in 1836, its history has been full of fascinating, powerful and even controversial figures in State, National and even International politics. These included politicians such as Chase Osborn of Sault Ste. Marie, the only Michigan governor from the U.P.; State Representative Dominic Jacobetti from Negaunee, who dominated Lansing for several decades; Connie Binsfeld of Munising, who became Michigan’s first female Lieutenant Governor; the colorful and controversial Joe Mack, State Senator from Ironwood; Cora Reynolds Anderson, the first woman and Native American to be elected a State Representative in Lansing and many others.

In addition, there will be a section dedicated to the various President’s of the United States who came to the Upper Peninsula, before, during and after their terms in office. Teddy Roosevelt visited the Upper Peninsula twice within one year, first to campaign for presidential run in 1912 and several months later to testify in his liable suit against the Ishpeming Iron Ore editor, George Newett. Four presidents have visited the U.P. during their term in office; William Henry Taft in 1911, George H. Bush in 1992, George W. Bush in 2004 and Barack Obama in 2011.

The Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center is a historical museum and educational facility on the campus of Northern Michigan University. The mission of the U.P. Heritage Center is to promote and preserve the history and culture of the Upper Peninsula through an active slate of exhibitions and engaging public programs for the whole region. The center also collects and preserves artifacts related to the history of Northern Michigan University. The center maintains a gallery in Gries Hall and several other displays throughout campus. The Heritage Center is part of Academic Affairs and has partnerships with several other departments.  It provides interdisciplinary programs and internships for students across the university spectrum.