ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Bonifas Arts Center‘s Northern Exposure exhibit is celebrating three decades of shining a spotlight on Upper Peninsula artists.
Northern Exposure XXX showcases an incredibly wide range of art styles and mediums.
“We have all sorts of new types of artwork on display this year,” said Bonifas Gallery Director Kate Oman. “This show actually this year has a lot of 3-D, as you’ll see. We have guitars, a few stained glass pieces, we have mixed media pieces, we have ceramics.”
This year’s exhibit even features some digital art.
“One of our artists who’s new to us has these fabulous pieces, there’s almost like a Where’s Waldo? feel to them,” Oman said. “Every single character in each one of these pieces has a story to tell. It’s something that we haven’t had here before. It’s bringing awareness to the digital media market as well, to show what can be done with a computer.”
Artists submitted their pieces to be evaluated by a juror. Many received sponsored awards, like “Featured Artist.”
“That means that the artist will get to have a solo show or a joint show with other Northern Exposure artists in their gallery spaces,” said Oman.
The Bonifas is proud of Northern Exposure’s tradition of promoting and celebrating regional artists and their work. Oman says the arts center is anticipating the next 30 Northern Exposure exhibits.
“This is something our artists really look forward to,” she said. “I’ve heard of many artists actually making artwork specifically to try to enter for Northern Exposure.
With this exhibit specifically, we get to watch the artists grow in their styles or they surprise us and submit something completely different. We’re really excited just to be able to expose these artists to other artists but also to the community in the Escanaba area and around.”
Northern Exposure XXX will be on display through December 28.
On Janurary 11, The U.P. Through My Lens photography competition will be on display in the gallery. The U.P. Through My Lens will be a non-juried show. Photographers can submit pieces and learn more by clicking here.
