Johnson Heritage

The Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery located downtown Grand Marais, MN near Cobblestone Cove Villas and The Shoreline Inn. features local, regional, and national artists in revolving exhibits, as well as featuring a permanent collection of original art by Anna Johnson, an early 1900s artist. The west wing is dedicated to the original artwork of Anna C. Johnson, mother of the donor of the Gallery, Lloyd K. Johnson. The permanent exhibit is a lasting testimony to her leadership in the arts. Anna typified the strength of early 20th century women pioneers and she gave this raw frontier her influence as an art teacher. Later she operated a popular gift shop in the original log trading post which was on the current site of the Art Gallery. Her gift shop featured her paintings and etchings as well as her ceramics and stained glass. She produced and sold many delicately painted ceramic and china items, fired in her own kiln. At least one of her Tiffany- style lamps is still in use. Born in Arvika, Varmland. Sweden, in 1881. she migrated with her parents to Manistee, Michigan, when she was 10, and later became a frequent visitor to this area at the turn of the century. Before her 1907 marriage to Charles J. Johnson. her artistic interests had been stimulated and guided by an older brother. In addition, she had some more formal, classical training in painting as a student at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. While her husband’s sincere interests in painting and music had long been characteristic of his colorful, bachelor life style, Anna reinforced and deepened those interests in him and for the entire town of Grand Marais. Interpreting scenes -and the relationships between people and nature- along the North Shore and up the rugged Gunflint Wagon Road, she left many paintings and drawings. many of which are displayed at the Johnson Heritage Post.