The public is invited from noon to 3 p.m. at the Crystal Lake Activity Center, 700 Crystal Lake Blvd. in Iron Mountain, to view the club’s annual art gallery.

“We selected ‘Lighthouses’ as this year’s theme,” said Kathy Marinich, Les Artistes Art Club president. “Several dozen pieces of artwork in various mediums and styles have been created by members for this exhibit.”

Artists will also bring additional works of different subjects for display at the show.

Marinich said art will be available for sale. Refreshments will be served.

THE LES ARTISTES Art Club members — from left, in front are Ele Malone, club secretary Donna Roehri, Gina Sutton and Gary Grahn; in back are Herb Haase, Steve Aronson, Roger Mariniol, president Kathy Marinich, Marcy Washick, Diane Mohr, Jeanette Dabb, Jackie Rosen, Peggy Haen, Margaret Dorn and Sally Legg. Not shown is treasurer Malou Nelson. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“We hope everyone joins us on this fun day to see local talent,” Marinich said.

Throughout the open house, members will demonstrate their skills in different art mediums, such as acrylics, oils, watercolor and colored pencil.

Area youth are invited to come in and try their hand at various projects.

“It’s great to see children get interested in art,” she said. “We have several college-age students that come in to do projects during the summer months.”

The Les Artistes Art Club was established in 1963 by two local women.

“Originally the group met in members’ homes,” Marinich said. “They would gather to do artwork.”

She noted some of their current members’ mother or grandmother were involved before they joined.

“We have several pictures in the archives of generations of members,” said Marinich, who has been with the club for more than 20 years. “It’s great to see how they have passed down those talents.”

The group eventually began to meet at Mike’s on Main in Norway, which became their home base for several years.

Later, they progressed into gathering at various sites, from active members’ homes to other local gathering locations.

A few years ago, the Crystal Lake Activity Center approached the group about utilizing the facility.

“We were asked to put up a gallery wall,” she said. “We were thrilled about it.”

Approximately 22 members take part from across the area including Iron Mountain, Kingsford and Norway, plus Dunbar, Spread Eagle, Florence and Aurora in Wisconsin.

Members range in age as well. “We have younger people, including college students from Northern Michigan University during the summertime, to do work on various projects with us,” Marinich said.

Members — ranging from beginners to experiences — selected their own mediums for each of their projects.

Another great benefit to being part of the group is that they share ideas and offer assistance, Marinich added.

Individuals who are interested in joining but have never painted are encouraged to come to any meeting or the open house.

“We will help them get started,” she added. “We have had several people that said they couldn’t draw and discovered they are wonderful artists.”

The non-profit club meets from noon to 3 p.m. Mondays at the Crystal Lake Activity Center, 700 Crystal Lake Blvd. in Iron Mountain. Marinich noted that members don’t have to commit to every week — they have some who just take part in the summer months.

They also have monthly meetings to share ideas for upcoming projects, as well as discuss trips to visit galleries or other events.

The non-profit also supports projects within the community.

“We encourage anyone who is interested in the arts of any age to come to any meeting,” she said.

In the past years, the annual Art Gallery was hosted at local banks or businesses. “We are able to offer so much more, including the demonstrations, by having it at the center,” Marinich said. “We felt it’s also a great time for the public to be able to learn more about what the club has to offer, in hopes of recruiting new members.”

The new gallery will go on display in October.

Next year’s theme for the open house gallery will be “The Four Seasons.”