Artwork by Melisse Carr

IRON MOUNTAIN — Bay College and Borderland Arts will host a public reception from 5 to 6 p.m. today at the Iron Mountain Community Gallery for a “Winter Wonderland” exhibit.

The exhibit is open to the public during regular business hours at Bay College’s Iron Mountain campus.

The reception will feature light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists. Featured artists include Melisse Carr, Darlene Strand, Becca Langlais, and Sarah Rice.

The gallery, established to highlight regional artistry and strengthen community connections, hosted its inaugural “Spring Renewal” exhibit April 15.

About the artists

Melisse Carr is a landscape artist who finds her greatest inspiration outdoors. Her painting practice creates a quiet, reflective space that allows her to closely observe the natural world. Carr frequently paints with a group of plein air artists, and her work has appeared at Bay College in Iron Mountain, the Bonifas Fine Arts Center in Escanaba, and the Wabeno Art and Music Festival. She works primarily in watercolor.

Becca Langlais has been painting for many years and is deeply passionate about the creative process. She has held solo exhibitions in several local communities, and her work focuses on the healing potential of art.

Darlene Strand, one of the founders of Borderland Arts, has exhibited her work at Art for All and the Braumart Theater, among other regional venues. She works across multiple media, including oil, pen and ink, and pastel.

Sarah Rice serves on the board of the UP Arts and Cultural Alliance, an organization dedicated to fostering creativity and strengthening relationships among artists, performers, and cultural groups. She also serves on the board of the Braumart Theater. The Iron Mountain Community Gallery came to life through a creative collaboration between Rice and Bay College Art Faculty and Fine Arts Coordinator Kristine Hunter, who met during the UP Arts and Culture Annual Art Conference.