Banksy Art Collection To Be Shown At New Upper Peninsula Casino Gallery

You’re probably lying if the thought of a Banksy art exhibit in Michigan, much less the Upper Peninsula, has made much sense to you before today.

But these are the small-world times we live in, and the Northern Waters Casino Resort in Watersmeet is providing one of those rare experiences this fall.

For two months, beginning just prior to Labor Day weekend, new art space The Contemporary at Northern Waters Resort Art Gallery will feature a global sampling of privately collected works from the United Kingdom-based anonymous street artist in a free-of-charge exhibit. The casino resort is operated by the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. 

Famous yet eccentric art shines at Northern Waters

The show “Banksy Takes a Break” (Because Even Artists Take a Vacation) will open to the public at 7 p.m. Central Time on Friday, Sept. 3. According to a casino news release, the artwork includes authenticated and certified prints, paintings and oddities rarely seen by the general public.

Banksy has spent decades anonymously visiting and tagging the streets of the world. The new gallery’s opening installation will be a selection of works from the artist’s travels. Locations include England, the Middle East, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and the Caribbean.

Visitors can also peer at iconic favorites such as Balloon Girl, NOLA, GDP, a Dismaland balloon, and Flower Thrower.

The self-guided show will feature more than 30 original works and collectibles of the artist spanning 23 years.

“We are already looking forward to welcoming the general public, art aficionados, artists, fans of Banksy and tribal members to the property and our beautiful new creative space,” said Northern Waters general manager Michael J. Broderick in the announcement. “It’s an exciting time for the resort and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, as this will be the first time an important Banksy exhibit of this size will be shown in the Midwest and on a Native American reservation.

“More importantly … (the exhibit) will be completely free to the public. We are confident that fact alone would meet with the artist’s approval.”

On launch day, a VIP ribbon-cutting will take place at 6 p.m. at the gallery entrance, located about 8 miles north of the Wisconsin border. The gallery will open an hour later, and the show will run through Nov. 1.

Following the Banksy exhibit, the gallery will feature themed curated group and juried shows from regional and nationwide artists.