R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press Attendees of Thursday’s reception at Bay College to recognize student artists look at prints on display in the Besse Gallery.

ESCANABA — At the close of the semester at Bay College, an exhibition of student artwork was placed on display in the Besse Center Gallery, where it shall remain until August. On Thursday, April 25, a reception entitled “Celebrating Student Success” was held to recognize the growth and creations of students from Introduction to Visual Structures, Digital Photo I and II and Painting I and II, all of which were taught by Kristine Granger.

The show included an awards ceremony and discussion with the artists. For each of the categories (classes) — except for the two Level II subjects, which only had a first place — monetary awards were given for first, second, and third place. The first place in each category was purchased by the college to join Bay’s permanent collection. Several honorable mentions were announced as well.

Before an audience of students, family members, and the public, Granger praised the work of all the students, and in announcing the winners one by one, invited them to speak about their processes, struggles and discoveries during the projects.

Many forms of media were on display, but something both the painting and photography students were challenged to complete was at least one self-portrait.

Explaining that it had been difficult to find himself again after moving back to the area following 25 years living in large cities, Meneo Aird said art was the result of an epiphany –“reclaiming my power and being able to reconnect with myself through the photos.”

Aird’s self-portrait took second place for Digital Photo I.

Also earning prizes and mentions were Dylan Meyer, Gabriel Harrison, Maia Nelson and Vince Doyen for Digital Photo I; Madison Supanich for Digital Photo II; Kylee Tadisch, Hannah Mleko, Joan Miron, Sara Tuggleston, Harrison and Bellamy Levins for Painting I; Ashleigh Davis for Painting II; and Davis, Meyer, Kerowyn Lancour, Levins and Brady Irving for Visual Structures.