MANISTIQUE, Mich. (WZMQ) – A one-of-a-kind art exhibit is now on display at Manistique’s Lake Effect Community Arts Center.
More than 40 pieces by woodcut artist Ben Bohnsack are included in his “A Woodcut Adventure” exhibit. Each piece starts with just a block of wood.
“I draw on blocks of wood, then I carve away what I don’t want to print,” Bohnsack explained.
He then rolls ink onto the block and presses paper against it, building the design and the colors layer by layer. On average, each piece takes Bohnsack about a month to complete.
Having grown up in Michigan, and having lived in the Upper Peninsula for a period of time, Bohnsack’s work is heavily inspired by the U.P. He also draws inspiration from his travels, like his recent eight-week artist residency in Kenya.
Through his work, Bohnsack says he aims to inspire others to get in touch with their artistic side.
“I hope that they are challenged to become artists themselves,” he said. “By that, I don’t necessarily mean that they become woodcut artists or even visual arts. Everybody has something they’re good at, and that’s their art.”
Bohnsack’s “A Woodcut Adventure” exhibit will remain on display through June 21. Follow Lake Effect Community Arts on Facebook for updates on future exhibits at the center. For information on upcoming classes and events, visit lakeeffectarts.org.
To see some of Bohnsack’s work, visit sandriverart.com.
