2026 Artist of the Year: Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik 

“St. Louis River Sturgeon” by Sam Zimmerman is a tribute to his late father, celebrates an ancient living relative – the sturgeon, and honors the work of the Fond du Lac Tribe who has protected the land, waterways, manoomin (wild rice) beds, and flora and fauna near the St. Louis River estuary. In a 2026 social media post Sam said about the piece, “My imbaabaa has journeyed home to our ancestors. I used to call him while driving through the Fond du Lac nation especially when I had been walking near the St. Louis River. This piece celebrates the beauty of the St. Louis River and sturgeon conservation efforts being done there. There are 342 stars on this piece to honor my imbaabaa birthday.”

For Sam Zimmerman, art is a way to preserve memories of everyday interactions with the natural world, honor his Ojibwe ancestry, and share stories that teach about living in reciprocity with all our relations.

“My grandfather connected me with the North Shore and Lake Superior when I was a child.” Sam said. “He was a Tribal elder, speaker of the Ojibwe language, and the first Anishinaabe storyteller I knew. My grandfather and my father inspired me to use my gift as an artist to learn and teach the Ojibwe language and pass along stories about the natural world. I want my art to teach people how to live in a good way with all of our relatives and remind us that we have a responsibility to care for the plants, birds, fish, and animals that are the focus of my art.”

Artist, educator, and storyteller Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik of Grand Portage Ojibwe. Photo credit Gozy White, Leech Lake band member. 

Sam’s grandfather passed away in 2014, which planted a yearning to move from the East Coast where Sam was living and working as an educator back to the shores of Lake Superior. He returned to his ancestral homelands in 2019 to spend time with his family and live in closer proximity to his Tribal community. This reconnection to the lake, land, animals, plants, and people renewed in him a desire to start painting again. 

Sam has since shared his artistic gifts through public pieces for the Grand Portage Tribal Nation, Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center, Voyageur National Park, the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Minnesota Twins, communities along the North Shore, and Tettegouche State Park as the 2024/2025 Artist in Residence where he created the Grandfather’s Teachings walkway. His artwork is also showcased in a number of publications with his newest book, Walking My Ancestors’ Path, debuting this coming September. It is a bilingual art coffee table book featuring a collection of paintings and stories about the seasons of nature along the North Shore. 

“Sunrise Raven” by Sam Zimmerman was inspired when Sam was walking on the Superior Hiking Trail and observed two ravens talking to each other. Gaagaagi (Raven) is a custodian of the natural world, building reciprocal relationships with humans and other animals, and reminding us of the importance of relationships. 

We are delighted to welcome Sam Zimmerman as the Superior Hiking Trail Association’s 2026 Artist of the Year!

Sam began his role by “walking the land”, paying attention to the landscapes and waterways along the Trail as well as the creatures who call the Superior Hiking Trail and surrounding areas home. Then his imbaabaa (father), who was his best friend and one of the biggest supporters of his artwork, joined their ancestors. Weaving the memories of his father, grief and healing, and observations from his journey across the lands that the Trail traverses into his art, Sam created three pieces: St. Louis River Sturgeon, Sunrise Raven, and Superior Beaver.   

“Superior Beaver” by Sam Zimmerman recognizes the contributions of beavers as ecological architects. Amik (Beaver) creates freshwater ecosystems and serves others as the land stewards of the natural world. We also love the connection with the SHTA mascot, Birchy the Beaver!

We are incredibly grateful to Sam for sharing his journey, teachings, and gifts with us through his artwork. You can follow Sam Zimmerman on Instagram and Facebook. 

Coming this summer the Trail Store will have apparel and products featuring Sam Zimmerman’s artwork. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or subscribe to Trail Mix to stay up-to-date on the release of 2026 SHTA Artist of the Year merchandise.