Ziyad and Company

Copper, not art, might be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Calumet. You may already know about its history as a copper mining boomtown or that it's located just north of Houghton in the middle of the scenic and ruggedly beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula. Yet it's the natural beauty of this stunning area that frequently inspires the art created in the region. And Calumet is home to a handful of galleries featuring wonderful art.

Take time to check out Ziyad and Company art gallery. We love to find a shop like this on our travels: a small, independent gallery showcasing the work of local and regional artists. Natural light fills the two-room gallery, and white walls provide a perfect backdrop for the displays, which feature the work of artists from Upper Michigan and the Great Lakes Basin. We were a bit surprised by the variety of beautiful glasswork, paintings, pottery, fiber and textiles, etchings, jewelry and photography. Though not an artist, owner Paige Wiard comes from an artistic family: her mother, Edith, is a watercolorist and her father, Bill, does woodturning. Both exhibit at the gallery. Each month, the gallery features an artist (or a group of artists) and his/her work.

It's open Tuesdays through Saturdays and Sunday afternoons; as with many businesses here, it's wise to check before you go to make sure it's open.