Bay College and Borderland Arts are proud to continue their partnership in supporting local creativity through the Iron Mountain Community Gallery—an important cultural resource and a key feature of the City’s Arts and Culture Center. The gallery, established to highlight regional artistry and strengthen community connections, hosted its inaugural Spring Renewal exhibit April 15, 2025.
The gallery’s third exhibit, Winter Wonderland, will open on Monday, November 24. A public reception will be held on Wednesday, December 3, from 5–6 p.m. Central, featuring light refreshments and an opportunity to meet the artists. Featured artists include Melisse Carr, Darlene Strand, Becca Langlais, and Sarah Rice.
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.
The Winter Wonderland exhibit will be open to the public during regular business hours at Bay College. The ongoing goal of the gallery is to raise awareness of the exceptional local talent within the community and provide a welcoming space for artistic expression.
About the Iron Mountain Community Gallery
The Iron Mountain Community Gallery aims to serve as a cultural hub for the region, providing a platform for established and emerging artists to showcase their work and connect with the community. The exhibition is free and open to the public, offering an exciting opportunity to experience local talent and celebrate the creative spirit of the Upper Peninsula. Please get in touch with Sarah Rice of Borderland Arts for more information regarding membership and exhibition opportunities via email at Skrice66@yahoo.com
About Bay College
Bay College is the community’s college with a mission of: Student Success, Community Success, and Culture of Success. Bay is devoted to each individual’s achievement in the classroom, on-campus, online, in the community and into the workforce by providing career certificates, associate degrees, transferable university credits, industry certifications, trainings, and professional development programs which develop skillsets, enrich individuals, and advance careers. #BayIsTheWay