"Northern Exposure" winners announced Thursday at exhibit opening
Artists from around the Upper Peninsula gathered at the Bonifas Arts Center on Thursday, November 7 for the opening reception of "Northern Exposure X," the arts center’s tenth annual U.P.-wide art competition.

The exhibit includes 79 original works by 45 Upper Peninsula artists in a wide variety of media and will be featured in the Bonifas gallery through December 20.

"For me this exhibit evoked mood, energy, mystery and the senses,? said Wisconson artist and ?Northern Exposure X" guest juror Peggy Flora Zalucha at the reception on Thursday. ?Much of this work is inspired by the beautiful natural surroundings of the U.P., but I selected pieces which also conveyed something beyond that.?

Zalucha chose an oil painting titled "Two Tied Birches" by Joyce Koskenmaki of Hancock as the first place winner. Second place went to John Hubbard of Gwinn for an oil painting titled "Summer." The third place winner was Ingrid Cline of Gladstone for a drawing called "Waiting," and fourth place went to Negaunee artist James Thatcher for a painting
called "The Spirit of Myth."

Honorable mention awards were presented to Linda Ferguson of Munising, Beth Cox of Perronville, Elizabeth Holster of Iron Mountain, Janie Paulin of Escanaba and Carol Stoll of Manistique.

Five artists received purchase prizes from organizations that selected pieces to add to their permanent collections. The Kipling House Bed and Breakfast chose a photograph by Christine Garceau of Marquette, Anderson Funeral Home selected a wood piece by Leonard Fieber, the Bonifas Arts Center Board of Trustees chose a watercolor painting by Sue Robishaw of Cooks and Bay de Noc Community College selected a drawing by Ingrid Cline of Gladstone and a painting by Phil Andersen of Escanaba.