Unveiling of Painting by Samuel Zimmerman/Zhaawanoogiizhik

Samuel Zimmerman/Zhaawanoogiizhik Painting Unveiled, Maang Sings to the Manoomin

Thursday, April 4, from 5pm-6pm

Union Lounge off of the Great Hall

St. Louis County Depot

506 West Michigan Street

Duluth, Minnesota

Join the St. Louis County Historical Society on Thursday, April 4, from 5pm-6pm for the unveiling of a newly commissioned Samuel Zimmerman/Zhaawanoogiizhik painting, Maang Sings to the Manoomin, as part of the Twin Ports Festival of History. Zimmerman, a direct descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe), will share his process and inspiration for the painting, and answer questions guests might have. Light refreshments will be provided.

The unveiling location is the Union Lounge off of the Great Hall of the St. Louis County Depot at 506 West Michigan Street in Duluth, Minnesota. The artwork will be exhibited in the Lake Superior Ojibwe Gallery on the 4th floor after the unveiling.

Sam’s work explores his Ojibwe heritage along with his learnings and experiences in nature upon his return to the Grand Portage reservation. His work preserves shared oral histories, reimagining the symbolism of the clan animals while incorporating the natural landscape of Lake Superior's North Shore. He focuses on continuing the Anishinaabe tradition of storytelling, embedding the themes of environmental stewardship and conservation of the North Shore through his studio and public art commissions.

Title: Maang sings to the Manoomin

Size: 14" x 18"

Artist: Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik (pictured above)

Artist Statement: The sun is setting after a warm summer day and the Maang floats along. The manoomin is flowering. The maang honors the manoomin with a song, singing its song that travels along the water honoring the manoomin for its gift to the Anishinaabe. The number of stars in the sky are 170 in total, one for each year since the signing of the 1854 Treaty of La Pointe, that protects off-reservation hunting, fishing and gathering rights for the Gichi-Onigamiing (Grand Portage) and Zagaakwaandagowininiwag (Bois Forte) bands. The song of the maang always reminds me of the summer evenings with family in Gichi-Onigamiing, where we gather for meals and storytelling.