Cortes, a former goalie for Duluth East and the Minnesota Golden Gophers, has always had a passion for drawing. After his hockey career, he pursued his love for art and became a professional artist. His intricate colored pencil paintings have become a staple in the Twin Ports sports community.
His artwork can be seen throughout the Heritage Center, adorning the locker rooms at Amsoil Arena, paying tribute to former Duluth Marshall coach Brendan Flaherty at Mars Lakeview Arena, and hanging from the Heritage Center’s “values” banners. He has also been commissioned for high-profile projects, such as designing murals of the Twins’ World Series teams at Target Field and creating program covers for the University of Notre Dame’s 125th anniversary season in 2012.
Interestingly, Cortes not only contributes his artwork to the Heritage Center but has also played a significant role in its construction. After a fire destroyed West Duluth’s Peterson Arena in 2004, Cortes was heavily involved in fundraising and designing conceptual drawings for the new facility.
Recently, Cortes has moved his studio space to the Heritage Center, creating “Tim Cortes Studio West.” This move provides him with a larger, more dedicated workspace and strengthens his connection to the sports community. The studio allows potential customers to observe his artistic process and offers more room for him to work on larger pieces.
While Cortes still receives plenty of commissions for sports-themed artwork, he has been exploring new subjects, such as Indigenous Americans and wildlife. He is also experimenting with different mediums, incorporating acrylic and oil paints alongside his colored pencils to create more detailed and textured images.
The relocation to the Heritage Center has been a positive change for Cortes, allowing him to expand his creativity and connect with a broader audience. He hopes that visitors to the Heritage Center, especially during tournaments, will discover his studio and consider commissioning artwork.
The Heritage Center board members, thrilled to have Cortes as part of their facility, are glad to support his artistic endeavors and look forward to continuing their partnership for years to come.
In conclusion, the unexpected combination of a sports center and an art studio has created a unique space for artist Tim Cortes. His artwork brings beauty and inspiration to the Heritage Center while providing visitors with a new perspective on the intersection of sports and art.