Artworks by Florence High School students are on display at the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center in Florence, Wis. (Submitted photo)

FLORENCE, Wis. — The Wild Rivers Interpretive Center in Florence is hosting works by local high school students Naomi Millan, Jaylinn Kappes and Chloe Zegar for its next featured artist display.

This rotating exhibit will remain on display until Thursday, April 9.
The School District of Florence County is fortunate to offer a strong and engaging art program. Art teacher Kelli Ellis has been teaching kindergarten through 12th grade art in Florence since 2021.

In Florence, elementary students rotate specials and attend art once per week. Middle school students take a full semester of art in seventh grade as an introduction to high school elective courses, and high school students may choose from several art classes that allow them to expand their artistic knowledge and skills.
The featured student artists each bring their own unique style and perspective. Millan is a junior who has taken three semesters of art. Kappes, also a junior, has taken art classes every year of high school. Zegar is a ninth grade art student who is new to the district this year.

Florence students also have access to several opportunities to showcase their work, including the end-of-the-year Art Student Association art show at Kingsford High School, which features artwork from all nine participating school districts. This year’s ASA show will be on April 20, with viewing from 4 to 6 p.m. and the awards ceremony starting at 6 p.m.

The public is invited to stop in to see the featured pieces displayed in front of the waterfall mural at the center, 5628 Forestry Drive in Florence, at the intersection of U.S. 2 and Highway 70. Winter hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Wild Rivers Interpretive Center provides local and statewide tourist information through a variety of brochures, guides, maps and advice for visitors. The center also features exhibits for all ages that highlight the natural resources and history of the unique “wild rivers” area. Visitors can observe many fish, mammal and bird mounts, including a full-body albino buck.

The center also includes a gift shop offering educational books, T-shirts, souvenirs, puppets and other outdoor-themed gifts and décor.