Just Kidding

"Just Kidding Opens"

Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen with NMU students

Gijsbert teaches students to draw

Holy Name students with docent


“Just Kidding: three illustrators of children’s books” opened September 9 at the Bonifas Arts Center Gallery and will be displayed through October 28.

The Arts Center is working in tandem with authors and illustrators; Robbyn Smith van Frankenhuyzen, Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, Alishia and Fritz Seegers, and Diana Magnuson in curating a very special exhibit that illustrates the link between visual and verbal imagery.  The exhibit offers an intimate look at the authors’ and artists’ creative process by showcasing their finished work as well as a sampling of their of preliminary works.


“Just Kidding” features over 40 finished paintings, drawings, storyboards, layouts and galleys.  The exhibit presents literacy in an exciting and rich manner—one that families and school children can view via docent-guided tours.

 The Bonifas Arts Center’s team of volunteer docents will lead interactive group tours of “Just Kidding” Tuesdays through Fridays, through October 28.  Teachers and other interested groups may call the Arts Center at 786-3833 to schedule a tour.

The exhibit is free and open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through October 28.  “Just Kidding” is sponsored by the Friends of the Escanaba Public Library and the Michigan Council for the Arts & Cultural Affairs.


Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen

Diana Magnuson

Fritz Seegers