November Smallworks Exhibits: Kristi Mills

The City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center announces its November SmallWorks Gallery exhibition by barkartist, Kristi Mills. Growing up in Muskegon, Michigan, Mills began exploring the arts by taking interest in painting, welding, upcycle sewing and quilting, furniture building and interior home renovation. In 1977 she moved to Marquette to attend Northern Michigan University where she earned a degree in Outdoor Recreation, with minors in Geography and the Social Sciences. She went on to earn a certificate in elementary education and worked in both the local private and public school systems for over 15 years. As an avid woods walker and beachcomber she amassed a unique collection of birch bark, driftwood and other natural materials. In 1997, she produced her first piece of barkart—an emotional response to her mother’s diagnosis of cancer. Since then, she has exhibited her barkart at Art on the Rocks, Glen Lake Art Show, Hiawatha Music Festival, North Muskegon Art Show and the Sault Summer Arts Festival, where she won the Aare Lahti Award for Design. Mills owned and operated a consignment art gallery in Big Bay for several years featuring local and regional artists.

The exhibit will run from November 2-29 with an opening reception held on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 6-8 p.m. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be provided.

The City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center is located in the lower level of the Peter White Public Library.