R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press “Sky Guardian,” a mixed media mask by eighth-grader Zoey Kramer of the Delta County Christian Home Educators group, is one of 640 pieces of student work currently adorning the walls of the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center for the annual Youth in Art exhibit.

By R. R. Branstrom

rbranstrom@dailypress.net

ESCANABA — Artwork in a variety of media, produced by children from kindergarten through 12th grade, covers the gallery walls of the Bonifas Arts Center, upstairs and down. The annual Youth in Art exhibit has for years been held at the Bonifas during March, which is Youth Art Month nationwide.

The 640 pieces on display were completed by students from a dozen schools – mostly in Delta County, but Norway-Vulcan Area Schools also contributed. The work was done between March of 2024 and February of 2025, meaning it spans both this school year and last. The included works on display were chosen by art teachers.

In part, the Youth in Art show is significant because it’s part of a larger movement -ì the Council for Art Education administers Youth Art Month nationally as a means of encouraging support for school art programs. But it also creates an opportunity for young artists to feel proud of their accomplishments.

For one community member, Youth in Art holds a special place in her heart.

29 years ago, a creative work by Kate Oman, then in seventh grade, hung on the eastern gallery wall of the Bonifas as part of the March exhibition.

“That was my first exposure to the Bonifas Arts Center ever,” said Oman, now the gallery director. “I got a little postcard saying I had a piece of art that was accepted into the show, and I went, ‘yes, I’m an artist!'”

Through the years, art teachers and their students have explored countless mediums. Featured in this year’s display “which will remain up until March 27 ì are acrylic paintings from Gladstone 12th-graders, scratch-board illustrations by Bark River-Harris eighth-graders, Andy Warhol-inspired pop art by Holy Name fourth-graders, an oil painting by a homeschooled 12th-grader, yarn portraits by Escanaba seventh-graders, and so much more.

Six sponsors -ì Billerud, Michigan Education Association 17-B Coordinating Council, the Bonifas, the Escanaba chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District and the Escanaba Kiwanis Club -ì each selected winning artworks from each grade level. The winners will be announced on March 11.

During the following two days, March 12 and 13, an open house will be held at the Bonifas to celebrate the students and distribute award ribbons. Kindergarten through fifth grade will be recognized Wednesday the 12th from 3 to 6 p.m.; the open house honoring sixth- through 12th-graders will be held on Thursday the 13th at the same time.

The public can view the exhibition for free at the Bonifas, located at 700 1st Ave. S. in Escanaba, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.