Virtual Galleries

Adolph “Ade” Toftey was born in Grand Marais, Minnesota in 1904 to immigrant parents from Hordaland, Norway. He attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he was introduced to oil painting. He became a journalist and half owner of the newspaper, The Cook County News-Herald, in Grand Marais. After becoming associated with the Minnesota Rural Artists Association in 1958, he served as its director and president. He retired from journalism in 1971 and began exhibiting artwork throughout Minnesota. Toftey died in Cook County, Minnesota in 1991.

First painted in 1980 and improved by the artist from time to time since then. Sketched on what is now known as Artists’ Point near the Coast Guard station. Note from artist: “Harebells in Crevice–This is one of those delightful surprises you often come upon as you explore the rocky shoreline. I found this one in a shady glen at the end of ‘The Point’. With sketchpad in hand, I proceeded to jot down what I saw and came home with a graphic as well as a mental image of this little jewel. Harebells are the ‘Bluebells of Scotland.’”