FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 22, 2025

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

PETOSKEY, MICH. — Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) proudly celebrated Northern Michigan’s young artists, writers, and dancers at the 2025 Youth Arts Awards on Thursday, April 17. The evening, held at the CTAC Theater, marked the culminating celebration of the 2025 Youth Arts Festival — an annual springtime showcase of student creativity spanning visual art, writing, and performance.

This year’s awards recognized over 60 students across multiple disciplines with 40 prizes and honorable mentions, special recognition for 21 dancers from the CTAC School of Ballet, and the announcement of the CTAC Youth Arts College Scholarship recipients. The evening included crowd-funded cash prizes for artwork, as well as prestigious awards and scholarships presented in partnership with institutions and organizations such as the STAMPS School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan, Kendall College of Art and Design, Good Hart Artist Residency, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Stories Told, and the Harriet Lee Hicklen Memorial Scholarship for Dance, among others.

From bold paintings and thoughtful photography to poignant stories and essays, student work displayed an inspiring breadth of vision and voice. 

“The Youth Art Show and Awards Night are among the most joyful events of the year. We are so delighted to celebrate with our community,” said Sheila Ruen, Visual Arts Director at CTAC. “Every year, the Youth Arts Festival reminds us of the extraordinary depth and diversity of talent found in Northern Michigan’s young artists. The creativity, insight, and technical skill on display is a true testament to the strength of arts education and the dedication of our regional educators and families.”

In addition to celebrating award winners, the evening also included the announcement of CTAC’s 2025 Petoskey Youth Arts College Scholarship recipient, Amelie Hanson. Hanson is an extremely accomplished and talented student from Petoskey High School who will be attending Grand Valley State University on scholarship in the fall, pursuing her BFA in dance. 

“Events like the Youth Arts Awards really show the important role art plays in helping young people engage with the world around them — to process, reflect, and imagine new possibilities,” said CTAC President Angela Morris. “Our Youth Arts Festival is more than a celebration — it’s a reminder of why supporting community arts matters and ensures future generations have the space to explore and express their creativity.” 

The Youth Arts Festival, which includes the Youth Art Show, the Young Writers Exposition, and the Youth Arts Awards Ceremony, is a cornerstone of CTAC’s mission to provide ways for people to connect, learn, and grow through the arts. With year-round programs including portfolio prep courses, dance education, music partnerships, and hands-on art classes, CTAC remains committed to nurturing the next generation of artists. 

The Youth Art Show is in its final week, on view through April 26 in the Gilbert and Bonfield Galleries at CTAC - Petoskey. CTAC - Petoskey is free and open to the public Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM.

CTAC Youth Art Show Award Winners: Ariahna Kantola (First Place), Oliver Janka (Second Place), Lydia Goldsborough (Third Place), Izzy Ulrich (Outstanding Mixed Media), Blaise Sytsma-Reed (Outstanding Drawing), Madelyn Skaggs (Outstanding Photograph or Digital Work), Lydia Goldsborough (Outstanding Portrait), Margaret Mercer (People’s Choice, top), Cru Pegg (People’s Choice, runner-up), Logan Smithburg (Stories Told: Visual Storytelling Middle School), Nora Riley (Stories Told: Visual Storytelling High School), Margaret Mercer (Outstanding Work of Art), Landen Cutler (Outstanding Work of Art, runner up); Honorable Mentions: Harper Call, Ariya Cloud-Hall, Caroline Crook, Madelynn Eaton, Nadine Ernst, River Hudson, Halie Hume, Elladee Keiser, Nikolas Krastev, River Lewis, Reid Lucier, Timothy Malesko, Amelie Mantha, Millie Michanowicz, Evelyn Owens, Elsee Pershinskee, Blythe Splitt, Sophia Stein, Harrison Stringer, Eldon Ward, Jack Wilson

Kendall College of Art and Design Award Winners: Jaylyn Brusse, Maddi Cytacki, Norah Fransz, Heidi Harrell, Eleigh Honson, Ronald Houseworth, Theren Hunter, Nolan Miller, Josephine Peterman, Nora Riley, Raymond Stafford

University of Michigan’s STAMPS School of Art and Design - Creative Community Scholarship Recipients: Mea Wesley, Eleigh Honson, Emily Kurzawa; Honorable Mentions: Seraphina Kembro, Wyatt Woodall, Devin Hausler, Emma Speer, Cassia Spence, Ella Butler

Good Hart Artist Residency Award Winners: Blaise Sytsma-Reed, Emma Ingalls (runner-up)

Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council - Best Nature Scene Award Winner: Wiigwaas Craven

CTAC Young Writers Exposition Award Winners: Lucy Murphy (First Place, Elementary), Dylan Schuitema (Second Place, Elementary), Helene Norcross (Third Place, Elementary), Sadie Tebeau (First Place, Middle School), Tavian MacLachlan (Second Place, Middle School), Alex Haase (Third Place, Middle School), Ella Mae Loomis (Stories Told, Middle School), Parker Reed (First Place, High School), Evelyn Sharapova (Second Place, High School), Alelí Barrera-Bardeguez (Third Place, High School), Evelyn Sharapova (Stories Told, High School)

CTAC 2025 Youth Art College Scholarship Recipients: Amelie Hanson (Petoskey), Nora Neidorfler (Traverse City)

Drs. Bill and Jane Millar Outstanding Progress Award Winner: Noelle Phillips

Harriett Lee Hicklen Memorial Scholarship for Dance Recipients: Chloe Bos, Ailinn Mullaney, Thalia Springborn, Leif VanHorn

The Youth Art 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 member award sponsors: The Blanchard Family, Michelle and Ed Boyer, Penny Crim, Crooked Tree Photographic Society, Good Hart Artist Residency, Inc, Mary Grosvenor, Michelle and Shane Horn, Connie Landis, Michigan Art and Culture Council, Angela and Jeff Morris, Gib and Sandy Mosher, Next Gen at GLCFA, Portrait Society of America, Barbara Retherford, Jane Schneider, Jane and Paul Stewart, Monica Stokes, Stories Told, Robert Swanson, Tip of the Mitt Watershed, University of Michigan - STAMPS, Kristi and Todd Wodek, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey News-Review, and Bob Schulze Fund for Creative Writing of the Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation.

About the Crooked Tree Arts Center: The mission of the Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) is to create ways for people to connect, learn, and grow through the arts. CTAC offers exhibits, concerts, classes, lectures, special events, and so much more, from its campuses in Petoskey and Traverse City. For more information, please visit www.crookedtree.org.

Media Contact:
Keely Bomee Platte, Marketing & Communications Manager
Crooked Tree Arts Center
231-550-6868 | keely@crookedtree.org

Crooked Tree Arts Center
461 E. Mitchell St.
Petoskey, MI 49770
231-347-4337
www.crookedtree.org