Drawing Inspiration from Munising
photo by LeeAnn Sowers
This article was originally featured in the Munising Beacon.
Written by Beacon Correspondent, Melissa Wentarmini.
For artist Becca Dwyer, Munising isn’t just a location on a map. It’s a place of inspiration, a childhood home and a reminder of the power of community.
Though Dwyer now lives in California, her artistic journey is deeply entwined with the people and places of Alger County. From summers spent on Powell Lake to seeing her first artwork displayed at the Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore in Munising, her creative roots are firmly planted in the Upper Peninsula.
Dwyer spent most of her summers growing up in Munising, where her parents, Jeff and Nancy, lived on Powell Lake.
“My days were filled with swimming, riding bicycles, catching frogs, fishing with my dad and pretty much anything outdoorsy,” she said.
It was a childhood free from the distractions of modern technology.
“When they first moved, I couldn’t believe there was no cell service at the cabin,” she said, “but I quickly grew to love the slower pace and the sense of peace I felt.”
Even today, she often reflects on those childhood summers when seeking artistic inspiration.
“There’s a specific video I took the very last time I visited,” she said. “I’m kayaking on my parents’ lake, and the water is so still, it looks like glass. The video looks like an image until I pan down so you can see the ripples in the water. I often watch that clip when I need inspiration or a reminder that no matter how chaotic life gets, beautiful places like that do exist.”
Her connection to Munising is deeply emotional, she said: “There’s something about being surrounded by nature in that way that brings a sense of calm I can’t quite find anywhere else.”
Dwyer’s artistic development was greatly influenced by her parents’ ownership of the Falling Rock Cafe & Bookstore. It was more than a business; it was a community hub that celebrated local talent.
“It was important for them to create a space where local artists and musicians could showcase their work, so I grew up knowing the value and importance of art,” she said.
Her parents’ steady support fueled her creativity.
“My parents have always been my biggest supporters,” she said. “Long before I felt confident in my skills, my parents were encouraging me to create art for the café.”
Dwyer’s stepmother, with her keen eye for impactful art, played a crucial role in her artistic journey.
“My stepmom,” she said, “always had a good grasp of what would resonate with people and would send me ideas frequently.”
In fact, Dwyer’s very first product for the café was the Munising poster, a print showcasing the area’s outdoor adventures with imagery of kayaking, snowmobiling, ice climbing and local wildlife set against scenic landmarks such as waterfalls and the Pictured Rocks shoreline.
In addition to being the first piece she created for the café, the poster was also her first time drawing digitally and seeing her art in a public space.
The poster’s success was a heartwarming experience for Dwyer.
“My stepmom would text me every time one poster sold, which was very sweet and encouraging,” she said.
This early success was a turning point in Dwyer’s life.
“When you’re just starting out as an artist, it can feel vulnerable to put yourself out there, and I’m incredibly grateful that I had the chance to experiment and grow in such a supportive, safe space,” she said.
Not only were Dwyer’s parents her cheerleaders, but they were also role models.
“Watching how much work and heart my parents put into the café was an invaluable example of perseverance, community connection, and creative problem-solving,” she said. “Their dedication showed me the importance of trying new things and embracing challenges — lessons that continue to shape my artistic development.”
Munising’s natural beauty has been a constant source of inspiration for Dwyer.
“Most of my artwork revolves around food, coffee or nature, which makes sense given how much time I spent at the lake or in the café while I was in Munising,” she said.
Though she now lives in San Diego, the memories and inspirations from her time in Munising continue to fuel her creativity.
“Even though it’s been a few years since I’ve been back,” she said, “I still think of Munising when I try to get into an artistic space.”
Dwyer’s artistic journey has taken her beyond the borders of the United States. A couple of years ago, she said, she went on a weeklong artist retreat in Spain.
The retreat, she said, was a transformative experience: “I was feeling drained and needed something to reignite my artistic drive, reconnect with people and get back into a creative headspace.”
Learning from one of her favorite contemporary artists left a lasting impression. Dwyer said she was both inspired and challenged by the artist’s encouragement to try new techniques in her process.
The retreat pushed her out of her comfort zone, she said. And the three canvas paintings she made there still provide inspiration.
“I remember not liking any of them at first, because they were different from my usual style,” she said. “Now when I see them, I feel proud for stepping out of my comfort zone and am grateful to have spent that week learning with other talented artists.”
Community plays a significant role in Dwyer’s art. And as an introvert, she acknowledges that connecting with others isn’t always effortless for her.
“Immersing myself in a community doesn’t always come naturally,” she said, “so I have to be intentional about seeking out opportunities to engage and make an impact.”
In Munising, Dwyer found her circle at the Falling Rock Cafe.
“I found community largely through working at the café. It introduced me to other kids my age, and I got to know both locals and visitors from all over, since summer brought in so many people experiencing the area for the first time,” she said.
“Moving to a larger city like San Diego, you don’t automatically get that built-in sense of connection that comes with a small town,” she said. “But something I carry with me from Munising — especially from the café — is the understanding that community is something you create. Out here, it just takes more effort to find those smaller, close-knit groups.”
One of the most remarkable moments in Dwyer’s career was when a TikTok video featuring a “Star Wars/Harry Potter” nursery mural she created went viral.
“The thing about going viral is that you never know when it’s going to happen,” she said. The video’s success was a pleasant surprise. “At that time, I was getting an average of 20 or so likes per video, but when I woke up, this video already had over 300,000 views.”
The positive response from viewers was a confidence booster for her.
“After I collected my wits and braced myself for the comments, I found that most of them were overwhelmingly positive and supportive,” she said.
The video’s popularity soared and gave her a newfound appreciation for social media as a tool for connection. “I rode that high for about a week, and by the end, the video surpassed 2 million views,” she said.
“It helped me understand how social media can be a powerful tool — not just for sharing content but also for connecting with a wider audience,” she said.
Since then, Dwyer has been actively building her online presence by filming more of her process and posting art videos. She has built a community of over 70,000 on TikTok.
Dwyer’s ability to create art that resonates with both local communities and a broader audience is one of her greatest strengths.
“The most important thing is making art that resonates with me first,” she said.
She also believes in the power of research and collaboration: “When I create a mural or piece of art for a community, I try to do a lot of research first — understanding the land, the emotions tied to the place and the businesses, people or landmarks that are integral to its identity.”
Dwyer’s career has continued to evolve beyond murals and posters. She has explored painting utility boxes, volunteering with nonprofit organizations and even creating custom merchandise inspired by pop culture.
“Public art, in particular, does wonders for a community,” she said. “The nonprofit I work for regularly creates murals that incorporate input from the community — not just in the design process but in the painting itself. People get to see their ideas come to life in their own neighborhoods and gain pride knowing that they helped paint part of the mural.”
She also leverages her art for personal projects, including creating a custom pair of Taylor Swift-themed shoes for herself and her sister to wear at a concert. “The response was super positive,” she said, “and it reinforced how much this fandom values creativity and attention to detail.”
Dwyer’s artistic aspirations continue to evolve, but she remains open to reconnecting with Munising through new projects.
Referencing a photo of the Munising poster spotted in Lincoln, New Hampshire, and shared in the Munising Informed Facebook group, Dwyer said, “I saw one comment suggesting an updated version of my poster, which made me laugh because my skills have improved so much since then. I can’t even begin to tell you all the things I’d do differently if I had the chance to redo it.”
Inviting others to participate in the creative process is another strategy Dwyer uses to connect with her audience. By making her audience feel like partners, she fosters a deeper connection with them.
“The audience feels like collaborators,” she said, “and that makes them more invested — not just in the artwork but in me as a creator.”
Other noteworthy moments have allowed Dwyer to connect with a new group of fans. In 2023, she was able to collaborate with Disney+ on a mural to celebrate Season 3 of “The Mandalorian.”
She has also been commissioned to create one-of-a-kind shoes — one pair inspired by a fan’s three favorite Taylor Swift albums and others inspired by the movies “Jennifer’s Body” and Disney’s “Tangled.”
In a testament to the attention to detail Dwyer gives each of her projects, she included unique references and hidden Easter eggs on the Swift-inspired shoes, a nod to tactics employed by Swift herself.
Nekter Juice Bar contacted Dwyer for a collaboration on a pair of custom-painted shoes inspired by Nekter’s refreshing and healthy offerings.
As Dwyer looks to the future, she envisions her art growing in new directions, evolving to include more nature-inspired elements as she continues to grow and refine her creative skills.
She also wants to use her expertise to help small businesses, much like her parents’ café once supported her. She envisions serving businesses by creating unique merchandise, developing cohesive branding or building impactful websites.
Though she has moved away, Munising’s influence on Dwyer’s art and identity is undeniable.
“There is something special about the Upper Peninsula that seems to stick with people,” she said. “If you know the word ‘Yooper,’ you know, you know?”
Whether through her childhood memories, the encouragement of her family, or the creative foundation she built in Munising, the town continues to be a part of her story: “Munising,” she said, “will always have a special place in my heart.”