FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2025

Crooked Tree Arts Center – Traverse City Celebrates 10 Years of Creativity and Community

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) is thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its Traverse City campus, marking a decade of fostering creativity, inspiring artists, and serving the Northern Michigan community with dynamic arts programming. To honor this milestone, CTAC will host a series of special events and initiatives throughout the year during a 10-month fundraising campaign that highlights the arts center’s impact and future.

Over the past decade, CTAC – Traverse City has become a cornerstone of the region’s arts community, hosting rotating exhibitions featuring local, regional, and national artists, organizing annual art fairs—including its recent expansion to manage the Suttons Bay Art Festival—and hosting Paint Grand Traverse, a nationally recognized plein air festival that attracts top artists from across the country. The center has also established itself as a leader in arts education, offering diverse visual arts programs for all ages and skill levels and welcoming thousands of young artists through its Annual Youth Art Exhibit.

A Decade of Artistic Excellence in a Historic Space

Since opening its doors in Traverse City on March 2, 2015, Crooked Tree Arts Center has flourished in its historic home—part of the beloved Carnegie Library, built in 1905. This iconic space has provided the perfect foundation for the organization to serve as a welcoming creative hub for the community.

“As Crooked Tree Art Center grows, so does our commitment to the arts in the region. It has been a wonderful first ten years, and we are very excited about what the next ten have to offer!” said John Fergus-Jean, chair of the CTAC Board of Directors.

Celebrating 10 Years of Youth Art

This milestone coincides with another cherished tradition—the 10th Annual Youth Art Exhibition, a vibrant showcase of artwork from K-12 students and educators throughout the Grand Traverse region. This beloved spring tradition fills the gallery walls with an explosion of color, imagination, and artistic expression that will be on view March 11 through April 5. This year’s milestone exhibition features artwork from more than 40 schools, celebrating the incredible talent of local students and the dedication of art educators who inspire them.

Join us for the Opening Reception and Awards Ceremony on Sunday, March 16, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm, with awards announced at 1:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

A Commitment to the Future

“We are deeply grateful for the support of our community, which has been the foundation of our success over the past decade,” said Kristi Wodek, vice president of Crooked Tree Arts Center and director Traverse City campus. “This milestone is an opportunity to celebrate how far we’ve come and renew our commitment to creating ways for people to connect, learn, and grow through the arts in Northern Michigan.”

Looking Forward to the Next 10

As CTAC embarks on its next decade, the organization is focused on expanding its programming and community partnerships to further enrich the region’s arts landscape. One of the highlights of the anniversary year campaign is 10 Fold, an upcoming exhibition inviting artists of all disciplines to explore “TEN” as a concept, symbol, and inspiration—beyond just a number—through time, structure, storytelling, challenge, and personal reflection. This exhibition will be on view April 15 through May 23. Artists interested in participating can apply by March 9, 2025.

The anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year with talks, workshops, giveaways, and community gatherings, culminating in a fall fundraiser dedicated to supporting the future of the arts in Northern Michigan. For updates and event details, follow CTAC-Traverse City on social media or visit crookedtree.org/10year.

Media Contact:
Kristi Wodek
Vice President
Crooked Tree Arts Center
kristi@crookedtree.org | 231-941-9488

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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.