News Photo by Diane Speer Art in the Loft’s Young Artists Exhibit will be on display now through April 29. An open house reception will be held April 21 from 6-8 p.m. for students from Thunder Bay Junior High, Alpena High School, ACES and Summit Academies, Rogers City, St. John Lutheran, St. Ignatius, Johannesburg-Lewiston, Onaway, Posen, Atlanta and Alcona Schools. A reception also was held Friday.

News Photo by Diane Speer
Art in the Loft’s Young Artists Exhibit will be on display now through April 29. An open house reception will be held April 21 from 6-8 p.m. for students from Thunder Bay Junior High, Alpena High School, ACES and Summit Academies, Rogers City, St. John Lutheran, St. Ignatius, Johannesburg-Lewiston, Onaway, Posen, Atlanta and Alcona Schools. A reception also was held Friday.

The Loft’s gallery space currently features more than 600 pieces of art produced by students in 21 schools throughout the region. The free exhibit opened Friday and continues through April 29.

Brooke Stevens, education coordinator at the Loft, said the exhibit provides an outstanding opportunity for budding artists.

“My favorite part is seeing their faces when they get off the elevator and they’re holding their parents hands, dragging them from artwork to artwork,” she said. “A lot of times it’s the childrens’ first exposure to an actual gallery.”

Stevens gives credit for the success of the exhibit to area teachers and administrators who go out of their way to provide art made by their students when some schools don’t even have an art program in place. She also credits the students for creating such interesting pieces.

“Every year I’m impressed more and more with the combination of great art instruction in the area as well as the talented kids who continue to amaze me,” Stevens said.

She’s particularly enthused about the volume of 3-D art sculptures included this year in the exhibit, which make a visual impact in the gallery space. The sculptures were created by all age levels from elementary school up through high school.

Additionally, Stevens credited a network of volunteers who helped to hang the exhibit and make it so visually appealing.

Along with hosting the month-long exhibit, the Loft also offers a wide range of workshops for kids today, April 22 and April 29. All are priced at $10 to make them affordable for families.

“We dedicate the whole month not only to children’s artwork but also to providing art classes for children,” Stevens said. “They include everything from the visual arts to martial arts to performance arts and even culinary classes.”

Classes offered today:

∫ String Art – 10-11:30 a.m., instructor Tricia Udell, ages 7 and up

∫ Imagination Station – 10-11:30 a.m., instructor Jeffrey Mindock, ages 5 and up

∫ Kids in the Kitchen – noon-1:30 p.m., instructor Denise Cooper, ages 5 and up

∫ Scratch and Sniff Painting, noon-1:30 p.m., instructor Justin Christensen-Cooper, ages 5-8

∫ Hand Scrubs and Bath Items, 2-3:30 p.m., instructor Cheryl Lemke, ages 8-12

Classes offered April 22:

∫ Dream Catcher, 10-11:30 a.m., instructor Judy Mathewson, ages 5 and up

∫ Glass Painting, noon-1:30 p.m., instructor Cheryl Lemke, ages 8-12

∫ Art Journaling, noon-1:30 p.m., instructor Melissa Burns, ages 10 and up

∫ Alcohol Ink Art Tiles, 2-3:30 p.m., instructor Gail Stelick, ages 7-12

Classes offered April 29:

∫ Intro to Martial Arts, 10-11:30 a.m., instructor Jacob Kuznicki, ages 8-12

∫ Amazing Paper Beads, noon-1:30 p.m., instructor Grace Marshall, ages 7 and up

∫ Chihuly Chandeliers, noon-1:30 p.m., instructor Brooke Stevens, ages 5 and up

∫ Utensil Wind Chimes, 2-3:30 p.m., instructor Grace Marshall, ages 8 and up

Pre-registration for classes is recommended, but not required. Many of the classes fill up quickly. To register, call the Loft at 356-4877 or go online to www.artintheloft.org.

This year’s Young Artists Exhibit was made possible due in part to grant support from the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan and Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.