Marquette in Marquette County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lake Superior Art Association

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

1. Lake Superior Art Association Marker

Inscription. On September 25th, 1951, a group of artists met in Marquette to plan the idea of forming the Lake Superior Creative Arts Association, later to become Lake Superior Art Association.

In 1959, LSAA established Art on the Rocks, the annual art fair which was first held under the statue of Father Marquette on these very black rocks. There were 35 artists showing their work.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical date for this entry is September 25, 1951.

Location. 46° 32.404′ N, 87° 23.613′ W. Marker is in Marquette, Michigan, in Marquette County. It can be reached from South Front Street just south of East Baraga Avenue, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located near the Father Jacques Marquette monument in Father Jacques Marquette Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 South Front Street, Marquette MI 49855, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and on Lake Superior’s South Shore Region.

Globally,

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it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jacques Marquette (a few steps from this marker); Lower Harbor Ore Dock (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Janzen House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Marquette County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Marquette's Fire Bell (approx. ¼ mile away); Marquette Fire Department (approx. ¼ mile away); First Steam Railroad in Upper Peninsula (approx. ¼ mile away); Bishop Baraga House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marquette.

Also see . . . Lake Superior Art Association History.

Excerpt: In 1965, the site of the outdoor art fair was moved to Presque Isle Park to enable more artists to exhibit, and to provide better parking. Then, from 1966-1968, it went back to Father Marquette Park. From 1969-2008, Lake Superior Art Association held Art on the Rocks at Presque
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

2. Lake Superior Art Association Marker
The Father Jacques Marquette Monument is in the background.
Isle Park. It grew from 35 artists approximately to 150 artists yearly. Eventually, in 2008 Art on the Rocks moved to Mattson Lower Harbor Park for several reasons; very little parking, an increase in bus costs, and coal dust from the electric plant on artwork. In 1985, Lake Superior Art Association received the Bronze Award of Excellence for its annual Art on the Rocks event at the first Michigan Governor’s Arts Awards.
In the late 1990’s LSAA encouraged the City of Marquette to create an arts and culture center. In 2000, the City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center opened and LSAA had a permanent home for the very first time. LSAA rents exhibit space but has free space for monthly meetings and workshops. More importantly, this alliance made it possible for other art groups to have a home as well. LSAA, INC became a tax-exempt non-profit in 1989. After more than 70 years, Lake Superior Art Association continues to be a premier organization in the region which promotes and supports the visual arts throughout Marquette County.

(Submitted on April 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Arts Award Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

3. Arts Award Marker

(adjacent to the historical marker)
CCAM
Concerned Citizens for the Arts in Michigan
Arts Award
presented to
Art on the Rocks
for outstanding Achievement in the Arts
by
Governor James J. Blanchard
May 23, 1985

Father Jacques Marquette Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

4. Father Jacques Marquette Monument

Located a few meters from the marker.

Father Jacques Marquette Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 6, 2022

5. Father Jacques Marquette Statue

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 11, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 115 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 14, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.