In Ely, Minnesota, the arts aren’t an afterthought—they are infrastructure. From rehearsal halls to mural-covered streets, creativity is woven into the very fabric of our rural identity. This week, we celebrate how local stories, shared stages, and painted walls continue to shape who we are and who we’re becoming.

"What I love about Ely is that when you give in, it gives back." This sentiment, shared by actor Noah Warner, captures Ely, Mn perfectly...