Commissioned Artist Program

Artist Kasey Koski observing the Dry House

Photo courtesy of Kasey Koski

2024 Program Description

The Keweenaw Peninsula has been the site of copper extraction for more than 7,000 years. Visitors come from all over the world to visit what remains of one of the Earth’s most productive mining regions. As people moved on, much of the industrial landscape has given way to the return of nature. Beautiful forests surround historic buildings; grasses and wildflowers reclaim open spaces.

One feature of the mines is not visible to modern visitors – the workers and their families who once crowded the Copper Country. The goal of this program is to use art to return the presence of people to these historic landscapes.

The Quincy Dry House represents the transition between the domestic and industrial sides of the miners’ lives. While the mines were in operation, miners changed into their work clothes at a Dry House before walking down to the shafts. After work, they would change out of their work clothes and wash up before heading home.

The Keweenaw National Historical Park, the Keweenaw National Historical Park’s Advisory Commission, and IRKPA are excited to welcome the talented artist Kasey Koski on board to accomplish this mission!

And now a word from Kasey herself…

 

Kasey setting her sights on Quincy Hill from Portage Lake

Photo courtesy of Kasey Koski

Greetings,

My name is Kasey Koski. I am an interdisciplinary artist living in Wenatchee, Washington. My roots run deep in the Copper Country! I am very excited to be working with the Keweenaw National Historical Park, the Advisory Commission, and IRKPA to create art for the Quincy Dry House this summer.

After an initial visit to the Copper Country in July, I have returned home to my studio to complete the next pieces of the project. I will take my initial sketches for the 4 sculptures and transform them into digital file templates suitable for cutting from steel.

We are planning the installation process on park property around the Quincy Dry House Ruins. Based on a site visit in July, we identified visible locations at the Dry House and US-41 to place the four sculptures. The sculptures will lead visitors through the site and its wayside signs in a pleasant loop providing views and insight into the Dry House Ruins’ former use.

When I return in Late August the final installation of the sculptures will take place. We are planning free public events along with a grand unveiling once my sculptures are installed. More information is to come on dates and times! Stay tuned!

To read more about me, my blog related to this project and see my portfolio please visit kaseykoskiart.com

 

More to Explore

Program Description

Keweenaw National Historical Park Commissioned Artist Program

Announcement

Commissioned Artist Announcement & Application

Call for Artists

Commissioned Artist Program Launch News Release

Artist Selection

Kasey Koski Selected for Commissioned Artist Program News Release

 

Keweenaw National Historical Park Superintendent Wyndeth Davis discusses the installation with Kasey and park staff.

Photo courtesy of Sean Gohman

 

A park visitor waves at one of the metal sculptures of a miner with the Quincy Mine buildings visible in the distance.

NPS Photo/D. Miller