The exhibits will be open Saturday through Oct. 30 at the museum, 491 Johnson St., Alpena.

The 2025 Juried Art Exhibit has three jurors — Joe Donna, Laurie Wade, and Gene Reimann.

This year’s Best of Show winner will be revealed at Saturday’s reception, and the public is welcome to attend and view the art and speak with artists in attendance.

About Chuck Schroeder

Courtesy Photo 2024 Juried Art Show winner Chuck Schroeder's work will be on display in a solo exhibit opening Saturday at Besser Museum.

Chuck Schroeder is a self-taught artist whose lifelong passion for drawing began in the city of Northwest Detroit, where he was born and raised. Now based in Livonia, Michigan, he shares life with his wife Vicki and their two cats, while continuing to create artwork.

Schroeder’s love for art was nurtured from a young age by his creative mother, who enrolled him in weekend classes at the Detroit Institute of Art. That early exposure laid the foundation for his expressive journey, which blossomed further under the guidance of his fifth and sixth grade art teacher, Mr. Fernandez — a mentor who opened new doors by welcoming Schroeder into his home studio and even involving him in a televised art demonstration.

At Henry Ford High School, Schroeder started using a Bic ballpoint pen for his drawings — a habit that stuck. Teachers often let him draw in class as long as they got a piece of art at the end of the year.

After a long break from serious drawing to focus on work and family, Schroeder picked up his pen again about 13 years ago and now draws nearly every day. He began with lighthouses and nautical themes but now explores all kinds of subjects, following whatever catches his interest.

Six years ago, Schroeder started blending colored pens and pencils with his black ink, creating bold, detailed pieces. He enjoys showing his work in galleries and exhibitions and especially loves when people stop to take in all the intricate details.

About the jurors

Laurie Wade taught wet process black and white photography in the late 1980s at Michigan State University while completing graduate work in Sculptural Ceramics. She earned an MFA in studio art in 1986. Her early work was three-dimensional, and she has also worked in etching and paper-making. She worked as Director of Arts and Crafts for the U.S. Air Force. She turned her attention back to ceramics and began teaching at Alpena Community College, working alongside other artists to establish a vibrant Fine Arts program. She retired from ACC in 2019. Her artwork has been exhibited in Michigan and across the nation.

Gene Reimann taught art for 52 years — 32 as a full-time educator at Alpena High School, then 20 more years as an adjunct instructor of drawing and painting at ACC. An AHS graduate, he went on to study at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, ACC, Wayne State University, Michigan State University, and more. He has taught drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, and computer-generated imagery (CGI). His art in various forms, from simple drawings to bronze sculptures, can be found nationwide. His criteria for judging art, including his own, includes a focus on originality of idea, relevance to theme, use of materials, composition, and design elements.

Joe Donna was born in New York and grew up in the Detroit area. He earned an MFA in Ceramics from Michigan State University in 1985. He taught at Kirkland Community College for 27 years. He is now an adjunct faculty member at ACC, where he has taught for the past 36 years. He works in all mediums but prefers the photographic image. His subject matter ranges from whimsical pieces to religious dogma, and more. His works have been in numerous national exhibitions as well as private collections. His work has been on display at Besser Museum, and he has participated in Art Prize in Grand Rapids for the past eight years.

For more information, visit bessermuseum.org or call the museum at 989-356-2202.