• Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
Mostly Clear

Marquette
Mostly Clear 64°

Clear

Escanaba
Clear 70°

Clear

Houghton
Clear 70°

Mostly Clear

Iron Mountain
Mostly Clear 66°

Watch
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result
WZMQ 19 News | CBS | MeTV Marquette
No Result
View All Result

1 Weather Alert

View Details »

New Bonifas executive director discusses vision for the Arts Center

by Lily Simmons
November 13, 2024
A A
Chelsea Hart, Executive Director of the Bonifas Arts Center

Chelsea Hart, Executive Director of the Bonifas Arts Center

ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Escanaba’s Bonifas Arts Center is wrapping up its 50th anniversary with new leadership at the helm.

“I’ve been here about a month now,” said new Executive Director Chelsea Hart. “People have just welcomed me so warmly, and that has been amazing.”

Originally from the City of Norway, Hart’s first experience with the Bonifas Arts Center was at a young age.

“I just always loved doing crafts or artsy things,” she said. “I had a really good art teacher in high school. She was a huge impact of pushing me to put my artwork into different spaces. Through that, I had some artwork here at the Bonifas back in 2009 or 2010.”

Then, after years of working in marketing and fundraising with nonprofits on the West Coast and most recently in Philadelphia, the opportunity to become executive director brought Hart back to the Bonifas.

“I wear a lot of hats—I think that’s the nonprofit staple!” she said. “Having a vision for the Bonifas, where we want to see it in the next five years, ten years, and being able to direct the team as to what we need to do and hit our goals.”

One of Hart’s primary goals is to help a new generation engage with the Arts Center.

“I know a lot of local people know what the Bonifas is, but I think more people can know,” she said. “We have little kids that come for toddler art, we have parents, and then we have our art classes. I see a lot of people on the younger end of the age spectrum and then a lot of people on the older, but I want to hit that medium—almost my age—group, the millennial group.”

In the coming years, Hart says the building will need restoration and repairs. She is hopeful the community will come together to ensure the Bonifas continues going strong for the next five decades.

“We want to keep it beautiful to the level it has been,” said Hart. “This building is around 80-some years old, so if people are passionate about the Bonifas, we need help to keep it safety compliant so that we can still have art shows and classes. I hope that the people who love the Bonifas as much as I do will want to help as much as I do.”

In the meantime, Hart is most passionate about building a stronger community of artists, collaborators, and patrons within the Bonifas Arts Center.

“It’s physically kind of in the heart of Escanaba, but all these programs that are really directly reaching out to our community and then bringing them into this space, I think, is what makes it such an impactful space to everyone in the community,” Hart said.

Those interested in volunteering with or donating to the Bonifas Arts Center can call (906) 786-3833 or visit 700 1st Avenue South. The Bonifas is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Get WZMQ 19 anytime, anywhere

Download the app

AppleAndroid

Watch on TV

RokuFire TVZeam

Connect on social media

FacebookTwitterInstagram

More

News

Bay College responds to Board of Nursing clarification request

September 15, 2025
Feature

Insights: U.P. Ice Fishing and Hunting Expo returns to Escanaba Sept. 19

September 12, 2025
News

Markkanen Calls for Rural Healthcare Solutions as Aspirus Ends Ironwood Labor and Delivery

September 12, 2025
News

Revamp Hair Lounge opens its doors in Iron Mountain

September 12, 2025
News

Porath Pumpkin Patch opens for 2025 fall season

September 12, 2025
News

Bonifas exhibit showcases creativity of veterans and military families

September 12, 2025
Next Post

Insights: Marquette Regional History Center to host art sale this Saturday

Rain Tapering off Today

  • Home
  • News
  • Weather
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Events
  • Programming
  • Station
WZMQ CBS | 19 News

© 2025 WZMQ, LLC | FCC Public File | EEO Report

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • Programming Guide
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • ION
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Community Involvement
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • UP 200
    • Local
    • Lansing Bureau
    • Washington D.C. Bureau
    • National
    • Insights
    • Watch 19 News Live
    • CBS News Live
    • Report News
  • Weather
    • Forecast + Conditions
    • Current Alerts
    • Interactive Radar
    • Cameras
    • Share Photos/Videos
    • Closings and Delays
  • Sports
  • Features
    • Life in the 906
    • The Yooper Goddess
  • Events
  • Programming
    • Programming Guide
    • CBS
    • MeTV
    • Start TV
    • Heroes & Icons
    • Court TV
    • ION
  • Station
    • About Us
    • Community Involvement
    • Mobile App
    • Meet the Team
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Advertising
    • Request Copy of Story
    • FCC Public File
    • EEO Report
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our privacy policy.