Prairie Fusion Arts and Entertainment held the opening of their new exhibit last night.

It's titled the Student and Member Show and features artwork from up and coming artists in the Portage area.

Marketing and Events Coordinator Lee Beaton talks about the exhibit.

"It used to be every two or three years, and in the last couple of years, we've been doing it as an annual exhibition. It's really important for our different members," says Beaton. "A lot of our members who come to our studio, they have their artwork in here. They've been meeting on a weekly basis getting together and trying new things. This is their opportunity to show what they've done."

She notes they have artists ranging from professional to hobby artists, and there's a wide variety of over 15 artists' works.

"We all start as those hobby artists. I know for myself when I first started doing any artwork the member show was one of the first exhibitions that I put my artwork into." It's an opportunity for artists who want to pursue a career in the arts, they can get their foot in, and say they exhibited."

Beaton adds there's a diverse set of artwork being displayed.

"Every artist whose work is displayed here is very unique, and their artwork is unique. I'm excited to see it look so well together in one exhibit."

The exhibit runs until February 22nd at Prairie Fusion Arts and Entertainment.