Over 100 people were at the Munising School Public Library to celebrate the 2023 HomeTown Art Fair, which showcases artwork made by Munising students in each grade.

While most of the art focused on two-dimensional drawings and paintings, some pieces were sculptures made with ceramics or other materials. Mixed-media presentations, where multiple types of artistic styles and techniques were needed to make the art come to life, were also on display.

The youngest featured artist of the group was Izaiah Post. His water scene of blue and yellow paints with tissue paper lily pads. He explained that applying the paint in a special way made the mixed-media piece pop.

“We took the paint on the paint brush and then we tapped on it,” Post said of the technique to randomize the coloring locations. “We didn’t have a lot of green, so I used yellow.”

In addition to Post, Kaelan Mulye, Ireland Anderson, Olivia Lester, Olivia Cotey, Connor Nelson, Landon Smith, Jon Young, Trey Mattson, Mila Calica, and Mandy Reimer were featured in the show.

It was the 17th annual exhibit and second since the COVID pandemic with a number of small changes needed to continue the show.

“We have a new framer. We lost our engraver, so we had to get a new person to do those as well,” Munising School Public Librarian Lisa Cromell said. “We’re just happy to have new partners and have the show back.”

Art will be showcased at the library for the rest of the month before moving to other businesses in Munising. According to Cromell, integrating the art directly into the community is what makes the event special.

“That’s the home town part. It beautifies the town and puts a different perspective on the quality of art that comes out of the school,” Cromell said. “When you treat it like it’s worth it, it means a lot to the kids.”