R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press Kate Oman and Heather Grimes, both employees of the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, discuss possible scenarios presented by Paul Rose’s “The Gathering” at the exhibit “The U.P. Through my Lens.” A gallery reception held Thurst night at the Bonifas welcomed the show, which will remain on display — free for the public to attend — until Feb. 22.

ESCANABA — Following Thursday night’s gallery reception for the exhibit “The U.P. Through Lens,” 160 photographic works are on display at the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center. A competition that sought entries celebrating the Upper Peninsula welcomed submissions from 59 photographers, each of whom were allowed to contribute up to three pieces.

The exhibit will continue to occupy both floors of the main gallery until Feb. 22 and is free for the public to view.

During that time, any visitor to the gallery may vote for their favorite work. At the end of the show, the people’s choice winner will be announced. That artist will receive a Bonifas membership, which is good for one year from a date of the recipient’s choosing and gives discounts on classes and entries, among other benefits.

Gallery Director Kate Oman and Special Events Coordinator Heather Grimes both said they were impressed with the overall quality of the non-juried submissions.

“There’s some pretty fantastic pieces in here,” said Grimes.

The famous sights and scenery of the U.P. — including local Delta County landscapes and landmarks like the Peninsula Point Lighthouse on Stonington and Fayette Historic State Park, both of which have distinctive structures and beaches — adorn the Bonifas gallery walls alongside shots of wildlife, people and pets in addition to more abstract and macroscopic views like those of rocks, leaves or ice. Some are for sale, priced by the artists, with 30% of proceeds going to the Bonifas.

Even before the reception, the label next to one piece bore a red dot — meaning it had already been sold. Claimed works will remain on display throughout the show.

Now that the art is on the walls, Oman said that she was very pleased with the outcome and excited for everyone else to see the show.

“Last time we had this show, we only had 44 pieces,” said Oman. “But that was right after COVID, and the theme was ‘New Normal.’ So this one is ‘My U.P.,’ so everyone’s really proud of that.”

Ford River-based artist Amy Gilner judged the competition, selecting first, second and third place prize winners. The winning photographers receive monetary awards sponsored by fellow photographer Doug Hagley, who has participated in past exhibits at the Bonifas.

In the adjacent studio gallery, another display will be open for the same window of time. Two fiber artists, Roni Israel-Weaver and Katherine Sirvio, won the Bonifas Invitational Award and were invited to supply pieces to fill the studio gallery from Jan. 11 to Feb. 22. Woodwork from Sirvio and needle-felted art by Israel-Weaver has been arranged.

All gallery exhibits at the Bonifas may be seen for no admission charge. The art center’s regular opening hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. It is located at 700 1st Ave. S. in Escanaba.