News Photo by Darby Hinkley Art in the Loft Education Coordinator Lane Blair Olsen hangs a piece of artwork by Aubrey Reyes, a fifth-grader at Besser Elementary in Alpena. The “Young Artist” exhibit runs April 3 through 26.

ALPENA — More than 600 pieces of original artwork by local students will soon be on display in Art in the Loft’s “Young Artist” exhibit, opening with a reception on April 3.

The exhibit will feature artwork in a wide variety of mediums, made by students of all ages, from nearly 30 area schools. An open house reception will kick off the exhibit from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 3 at Art in the Loft, on the third floor of the Center Building at 109 N. 2nd Ave. in downtown Alpena. The exhibit will be on display until April 26.

Young artists, their families and friends, and community members are invited to attend the opening reception.

Schools participating in the exhibit, with the guidance and collaboration of their art teachers, are: Alpena High School, Thunder Bay Junior High, Besser Elementary, Ella White Elementary, Hinks Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Sanborn Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Alcona High School, Alcona Junior High, Alcona Elementary, Atlanta Elementary, Atlanta Junior High, Atlanta High School, Posen Consolidated Schools, Posen Elementary, Rogers City High School, Rogers City Junior High, ACES Academy, COACH Homeschoolers, Hillman Elementary, Hillman Junior High, Hillman High School, All Saints School, St. John Lutheran School, and Immanuel Lutheran School.

“This will be the 24th year,” Art in the Loft Executive Director Justin Christensen-Cooper said of the “Young Artist” exhibit. “This exhibit started in the year that we formed, in 2001.”

Christensen-Cooper participated in the exhibit that year, as a senior at Alpena High School.

“Kids get a lot of accolades for sports or being on the honor roll,” he said. “Maybe this is a student’s chance to finally be showcasing what they’re good at.”

He recalled how seeing his artwork on display in a public gallery made him feel proud and confident that others were appreciating his work. He said it gives students a boost to see their creations being admired by others.

Free workshops April 5

In addition to the reception and exhibit, free drop-in workshops are being offered between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5 at Art in the Loft.

“We’re going to do more of a drop-in style, with different stations set up throughout the gallery, so as guests come in, they can not only view the artwork on display, but they can interact with some creative projects,” said Lane Blair Olsen, Art in the Loft education coordinator.

Workshops include:

¯ Hand-rolled sushi with Chris Chrzan: Roll up some excitement and enjoy a hands-on experience as students learn their way around the kitchen.

¯ Handmade button art with Alison Rae Campbell: Design and create your own personalized funky fun accessories to add to your hat, art tote, or backpack.

¯ Artist trading cards with Abigail Adams: Create unique and colorful artist trading cards while learning the basics of drawing and sketching various subjects utilizing a variety of mark-making mediums.

¯ Prismatic printmaking with Lane Blair Olsen: Stretch your creative muscle while experimenting with shape, vivid colors, and bold graphic patterns to create contrasting works of art.

¯ Live action art with Mariah Brancheau: While in the gallery, be sure to pop into the creative classroom between workshops to see an artist in action, as Brancheau hand paints blooming florals and hand-lettering in mural form.

These free workshops are made possible through the financial support of the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan’s Youth Advisory Council and the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.

Art in the Loft is normally open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. It is currently closed until April 3, when the “Young Artist” exhibit opens.