Northport Arts Association holds Harbor of Creativity opening reception
From staff reports
Northport Arts Association is thrilled to invite five exceptional Northwest Michigan artists, whose talents reflect the vibrant and diverse spirit of the arts, to participate in their 2026 invitational art exhibition. The exhibit opens Saturday, Aug. 15, from 5-7 pm and continues until Sept. 12. The Northport Arts Association is located at 301 Mill St.
Scott Cain, Photography: a Chicago native and perma-fudge resident of Northport Michigan, believes that the spirit that lives in the heart is made present through art. Who is Scott Cain? At the helm of a sailboat on Northport Bay, a handsome skipper in a Cheese Shanty tee shirt and Mount Gay Rum cap declared: “You fool—everyone knows Scott Cain runs his own kangaroo court.”
(Translation, the real one): He prefers you not label him a photographer. Instead, imagine him as an industrial designer or licensed residential builder. Some know him for decorating Christmas trees. And when he’s not dreaming of sailing to Australia, he snaps photos to share.
Mark Mehaffey, Painting: My interests in art and life are broad. I see and feel the beauty we call home in Northwest Michigan and that flows into my paintings. I see and feel our connections to life so social commentary, political commentary and explorations in the world of design also occur as compartments within my life with a brush. Mark has won major awards in juried exhibitions internationally. His paintings are included in corporate, public and private collections.
Laura Miller, Painting: I see the world in full color. So much color, metaphorically. I can’t remember a time that art wasn’t a part of me. I grew up drawing, doodling, coloring, painting and creating things any chance I got. I would watch Bob Ross and buy every step by step painting book I could find in our little town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I was teaching myself at every opportunity.
Barbara Waddell, Multi-Media: Working with clay was my first love and still is today. I became interested in weaving so bought fleece from farmers and learned to card and spin yarn. Since I worked at a library and there were books to tell you how to do handmake art books. Making paper and books was the next adventure. After that it was making fabric wall quilts. Life is a fun adventure and I guess that is why I am a Multi-Media artist.
Betsy Winters, Painting: A Northport native who has explored different mediums over the years. At present she is working in oils and cold wax. Her current works are a distillation of the natural world outside her back door.
Each artist will submit ten pieces of their art for exhibit. The Association is honored to showcase their work in the NAA’s 2026 invitational art exhibit.
Harbor of Creativity is designed to celebrate not only the power of individual expression but also the collective impact of creative vision. It is a celebration of the arts in our community. Harbor of Creativity’s opening reception takes place August 15, 5-7 pm. The exhibit runs through September 12, 12-4pm Tuesday-Sunday.
