Julie Highlen

DEERTON — Julie Highlen, Northwoods Art Studio, of Deerton, has been awarded a Professional (or) Organizational Development 2021 grant from the State of Michigan, Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The money will enable Highlen to compete in the week-long Grand Marais Plein Air Festival in September 2021 in Minnesota, including attending the workshops following the competition.

“I so appreciate this opportunity and receiving the grant to help make this happen. My primary short-term goal is to expand and enhance my plein air skills to better capture the feeling of the moment in my artwork, adding more emotion and energy to my paintings,” Highlen said in a press release. “People are attracted to an artist painting in public places. They often stop by to visit and ask questions, opening numerous opportunities to not only engage other aspiring artists, but to inspire current non-artists to take up the brush.

“Continuing to develop this ability to talk to people in conjunction with painting will aid in developing my ability to teach others as well, which is one of my long-term goals.”