Press Releases

Crooked Tree Arts Center Celebrates Youth Creativity with Annual Youth Arts Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2026

PETOSKEY, MICH. — Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) proudly celebrated Northern Michigan’s young artists at the 2026 Youth Arts Awards on Thursday, April 16. The evening, held at the CTAC Theater, marked the culminating celebration of the 2026 Youth Arts Festival, an annual springtime showcase of student creativity in visual art and performance.

 

This year’s awards recognized more than 70 students with prizes, scholarships, and honorable mentions. The evening included crowd-funded cash prizes for artwork, as well as awards presented in partnership with organizations such as Interlochen Center for the Arts, the College for Creative Studies, the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art and Design, Petoskey Pediatric Dentistry, Good Hart Artist Residency, Crooked Tree Photographic Society, Honor Bank, and the Portrait Society of America. In addition, 17 students from the CTAC School of Ballet were recognized for their recent achievements and acceptance into competitive summer intensive programs and collegiate dance programs at leading national institutions.

 

The exhibition featured more than 1,800 works of art from students representing 30 schools across the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District, along with homeschool participants. More than 670 students participated in 25 school tours throughout the run of the exhibition. From bold paintings and ceramics to photography and mixed media, student work reflected a wide range of creativity, skill, and personal expression.

 

“The Youth Art Show and Awards Night are truly one of the most beloved events for our staff and the entire community. It brings so much joy to celebrate and support our area students in their love for the arts,” said Angela Morris, Executive Director of CTAC. “Each year, we are inspired by the creativity, dedication, and unique perspectives these young artists bring forward. This is a night that brings our community together and highlights the impact the arts create for students, families, and educators alike.”

 

In addition to the awards, CTAC presented its 2026 Youth Arts College Scholarships. The Petoskey recipient, Sienna Stuchell, is a graduating senior from Petoskey High School who will attend Western Michigan University to pursue a BFA in dance and a BS in interior architecture and design. The Traverse City recipient, Emma Wilhelm, a graduating senior from Greenspire High School, will attend Northwestern Michigan College before continuing to Kendall College of Art and Design to pursue a graduate degree in graphic design.

 

This year also marked the presentation of two Debra McAndrew Memorial Endowed Scholarships, supporting dedicated young artists from Northern Michigan as they pursue higher education in the arts. Josephine Peterman was awarded the 2026 Debra McAndrew Memorial Endowed Renewable Four-Year Scholarship. A dual-enrolled student at Petoskey High School and North Central Michigan College, she is completing her associate degree before transferring to a four-year institution next fall to pursue her bachelor’s, while continuing to build a growing art practice inspired by Northern Michigan’s natural cycles and operating her own art business. Claire Miller received a one-time 2026 Debra McAndrew Memorial Endowed $2,000 Scholarship and will attend Hope College to study dance and communications.

 

Following the scholarship presentations, the CTAC School of Ballet recognized students for their recent achievements. Each year, pre-professional students receive acceptances through audition to attend summer intensives and college BA and BFA  programs at leading national and international dance institutions. Collectively, the students were awarded over $20,000 in scholarships to attend these programs.This is made possible by the Dance Scholarship Fund which generates revenue from ticket sales and private donations. 

 

For the tenth consecutive year, Bill Hicklen presented four School of Ballet students with the Harriett Lee Hicklen Memorial Scholarship for Dance. This award honors the late Harriett Lee Hicklen by providing aspiring dancers the financial resources to pursue their goals in the field. Dr. Jane Millar also presented the Outstanding Progress Award for the fifth consecutive year, which is given to a young student who has demonstrated exceptional growth. 

 

“The level of commitment and artistry these students demonstrate is extraordinary,” said Heather Raue, Artistic Director of the CTAC School of Ballet. “We are proud to support their growth and to see them continue their training at respected programs and institutions across the country.”

The celebratory evening concluded with families exploring the Youth Awards Show over refreshments and desserts provided by Executive Chef William Sommerfeldt and his culinary students from Petoskey High School.

 

The Youth Art Show will remain on view through Saturday, May 2 in the Gilbert and Bonfield Galleries at CTAC - Petoskey. CTAC - Petoskey is free and open to the public Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

 

Image 1: CTAC School of Ballet students are recognized for their summer intensive placements.

 

Image 2: Winners of Petoskey Pediatric Dentistry's awards on stage. Image courtesy of Rob Harold.

 

Image 3: Margaret Mercer accepts award for Outstanding Photo-Related artwork for her piece "Angelus Victoiae." Image courtesy of Rob Harold.

 

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2026 Youth Art Awards Winners

• Top Awards | First Place: Arianna Maldonado, Wading Through Waste; Second Place: Nora Riley, Untitled; Third Place: Gracelynn F., Don't Sink
• People’s Choice | Cru Pegg, Spinosauris Diorama; Runner-up: Margaret Mercer, Self Portrait
• Category Awards | Outstanding Drawing or Painting: Rachel Dhaseleer, Keeper of the Leaves (Honorable Mentions: Eeva Rintala, Halie Hume); Outstanding 3D: Addison Krussel, Assorted Pottery (Honorable Mention: Alex Wilson); Outstanding Photograph or Digital Work: Charles Kelly, Untitled (Honorable Mention: Logan Flynn); Outstanding Portrait: Ariahna Kantola; Outstanding Photo-Related: Margaret Mercer
• Interlochen Center for the Arts | Blaise Sytsma-Reed, Arianna Maldonado, Sadie Lennon
• College for Creative Studies | Lydia Goldsborough, Blaise Sytsma-Reed, Mea Wesley
• University of Michigan Stamps School of Art and Design | Creative Community Scholarship: Carme Manders, Sophie Trudell, Liam Clark, Aubree Bonar, Mea Wesley; Honorable Mentions: Kaleb Vandock, Audrey Larocco, Presley Smith, Bella Baker, Sadie Lennon, Alex Wilson, Andrea Brilley, Savannah Call, Ellie Peters, Stella Willis, Chloe Coveyou
• Good Hart Artist Residency | Lydia Goldsborough; Runner-up: Esther Hornibrook
• Honor Bank | Colin Bowerman, Zeta, Megan Kaatz, Brooklynn Manthei, Emme Skopweber
• Petoskey Pediatric Dentistry | Autumn Sheppard, Shepherd Roberts, George Grundner, Remy McDonald, Gabby Vasquez, Payton Wilson, Huxley Peters, Adaline Smith, Riddick Castle, Heidi Birdsall, Maddy, Liam, Emma, Eva, Zeta, Kaiah, Amaya, Juniper Edwards, Anna Dvoracek, Onalee Sevenski, Sophia, Elladee Keiser, Mookse' Osawamick, Shay H, Michael D., Ensley O'Neal, Fletcher Spears
• Additional Awards | Crooked Tree Photographic Society: Margaret Mercer; Portrait Society of America: Ariahna Kantola

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CTAC School of Ballet Student Recognitions
Chloe Bos, Ballet Chicago; Callie Carlson, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (fall); Elsie Dawson, Boston Ballet and Grainger Academy at Joffrey Ballet; Irelynn Ellsworth, Ballet Chicago; Ella Galle, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Regional Dance America’s Choreography Intensive; Arya Grace, Alma College (fall); Ellis Hagan, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp; Nora Hornibrook, Milwaukee Ballet; Colette McLeod, Pacific Northwest Ballet (summer) and University of Utah (fall); Violet Merrill, Oklahoma City Ballet and Chautauqua Institution; Claire Miller, Hope College (fall); Ailinn Mullaney, Boston Ballet and Ballet Chicago; Noelle Phillips, Texas Ballet Theater; Sierra Schlehuber, Pacific Northwest Ballet; Thalia Springborn, Boston Ballet; Sienna Stuchell, Western Michigan University (fall); Leif VanHorn, School of American Ballet.

• Harriett Lee Hicklen Memorial Scholarship for Dance Recipients | Ella Galle, Nora Hornibrook, Ailinn Mullaney, Thalia Springborn
• Outstanding Progress Award Recipient | Irelynn Ellsworth

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The Youth Arts Awards is organized by Crooked Tree Arts Center - Petoskey and is made possible thanks to the generous support of Visual Arts Presenting Sponsor Comfort Keepers and the following community sponsors: Michelle and Ed Boyer, Paige Crim, College for Creative Studies, CTAC Photographic Society, Brenda Frey, Good Hart Artist Residency, Great Lakes Orthodontics of Petoskey, Bill and Lisa Hicklen, Honor Bank, Shane and Michelle Horn, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Russ and Leslie Knopp, Cynthia McWatters, Michigan Art and Culture Council, Dr. Jane and the late Dr. Bill Millar, Angela Morris, Sandy and Gib Mosher, Lucia Oelz, Judy and William Patberg, Petoskey Pediatric Dentistry, Portrait Society of America, Sharon Schappacher, Jane Schneider, Michele Smith and Dennis Sheridan, Barbara and Charles Smith, Jane and Paul Stewart, Monica Stokes, Bob Streit, U of M Stamps School of Art and Design, Dr. and Mrs. Hal Willens, Phoebe and Kurt Wietzke, Kristi and Todd Wodek.

CTAC extends its sincere thanks to its staff, volunteers, board members, educators, families, and community partners who make this celebration possible each year.