ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – An exhibit at the Bonifas Arts Center is shining a spotlight on the best of the best of Upper Peninsula artists.
Northern Exposure is now open for its 31st year.
“It’s our crown jewel of our exhibit experience,” said Bonifas Gallery Director Kate Oman. “It wraps up our exhibit year, and we like to go out on top featuring U.P. artists and what we’re creating.”
This year’s juried show features 43 artists. While they all represent the talent found in the U.P., they work in vastly different mediums.
“We have a lot of paintings this year, but we do have some photography, we have some pottery, we have a 3-D woodworked piece, fiber pieces,” Oman said. “There’s all sorts of different things to see.”
Businesses, art galleries, and media representatives selected several pieces to receive awards. ‘Featured Artist’ winners will have their work on display at local organizations.
“We’re standing in front of November Squall,” Oman said of the painting below. “This piece has a special place in my heart. I liked it so much I had to purchase it myself. This is an artist who just was new to us last year actually.”
Even for artists who did not make it into the show, Oman says Northern Exposure is a valuable growing experience.
“I had one artist reach back out to me and say, ‘Given the feedback that the juror had, I reworked my piece,'” she said. “That person sent me their finished piece, and it looks completely different and probably would’ve gotten in. Because the competition is so stiff with so many people, it pushes those artists to look at their pieces in a different light.”
Northern Exposure XXXI is on display through December 28. Oman says it is a free opportunity to experience what some of the U.P.’s top artists are creating right now, as well as how all artists are striving to reach the next level.
“If we’re pushing each other to do better, then the artwork coming out of here will be better too,” Oman said. “It’s important for the community, it’s important for the artists themselves, and it also helps our sponsors get the word out about their appreciation for the arts as well, so it’s an important show.”
The Bonifas Arts Center is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
