That was just one of many pieces of art on display on Thursday during the annual High School Art Show, held in the Deo Gallery of the Marquette Arts and Culture Center in the lower level of the Peter White Public Library.

“Some of this is almost near professional,” said Tiina Morin, arts and culture manager for the city of Marquette. “It was really, really hard for all the judges. Everyone would come into the office and go, ‘How do I even begin?’

“I do mean it when I say everyone deserves an award tonight. You just do.”

In fact, Morin said the quality of artwork gives her faith for the next generation.

Bella Ehle of Marquette Senior High School stands by one of her portraits on display at Thursday’s High School Art Show. She received the Best in Show recognition from Northern Michigan University. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

“For me, as art, I see that you are creative, yes,” she told the young artists. “You’re talented, yes. But you’re wise. You’re inventive. You’re empathetic, generous, critical, courageous and not afraid to talk about the truth and hard things.”

The pieces in the show included string art, radial design, traditional and untraditional drawing and painting, and ceramics, among other media.

They could be serious or whimsical. For example, one cartoon collage addressed censorship and another piece showed a turtle on a surfboard.

“It’s interesting to see what high school students see that maybe some of the parents might not see,” Morin said. “It’s a different perspective.”

Morin also talked about Artists in Excellence, a new arts-based, cross-district extracurricular program for students from Marquette, Negaunee and Ishpeming high schools administered by the MACC in partnership with local art teachers. Morin said the program will be expanded next year to include Gwinn High School and North Star Montessori Academy.

Here is an assortment of artwork created by local students. In the forefront is “Goofy Little Goober” by Ace Mulhaka and McKenna Penglase of North Star Montessori Academy. (Journal photo by Christie Mastric)

“If you’re going to be a junior or senior and you want to be in this program, it’s only going to double,” Morin said. “You’re going to learn about creative careers. You’re going to be artists. Some of the young people got jobs already from this program.”

The AIE students, she pointed out, hung the artwork for the show — no small undertaking, considering the number of pieces on display. They also selected these artists for special AIE awards: Tracy Charboneau, Jazmine Junak, Madeline Morgan and Anakin Harvala of Marquette Senior High School, and Desiray Brown, Liam Wallace and Chloe Popko of Negaunee High School.

Zero Degrees Gallery in Marquette, the Lake Superior Art Association and the Northern Michigan University School of Art and Design gave out awards on their behalf as well.

Marlene Wood, president of Zero Degrees, presented Negaunee High School senior Ethann Brown an award for his depiction of a building in black and white.

“It’s got everything that I would want in any piece of art,” said Wood, who invited Brown to have a three-month show at the gallery.

The LSAA recognized Jazmine Chouinard of MSHS for her picture of polar bears and her use of color.

Bella Ehle of MSHS won best in show from NMU, with Leo Barch of MSHS taking second place and Elizabeth Gleason of NHS third.

Diane Kordich, NMU professor emeritus of the NMU School of Art and Design, talked about Ehle’s pieces.

“Through all her work, she has portraits, but they’re of varying different styles, and she has a lot of control over whatever medium it is,” Kordich said.

Ehle said she loves drawing and painting, but portraits are her favorite.

“There’s so much creativity when it comes to colors in the face because it’s a reflective surface,” she said.

Belle Lagrou of MSHS won special recognition from the MACC staff for her piece featuring the Marquette business Main Street Pizza. For her award, she received an actual large pepperoni Main Street pizza, delivered to her at the ceremony.

“It still should be very hot,” Morin said.

Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 250. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.