Indy Gendron, age four, paints a seascape at the Escanaba Marketplace on June 23. Arts and crafts for children will continue to be available at the Marketplace on Tuesday afternoons through the summer. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

ESCANABA — Sponsored by the Downtown Development Auhority and hosted by the Bonifas Arts Center, a free creative activity is available for youngsters Tuesday afternoons at the Escanaba Marketplace.

The first session of 2026 — the third year for Art at the Marketplace — was held this past week. Under the covered pavilion, children and parents visited the various tables, each set up for a different craft. Each week, there will be one station for painting, one for drawing and two that rotate.

The Bonifas Arts Center provides the material and some staff — Noah Johnson, education coordinator, is available along with Betty Nyberg to provide assistance when needed. Volunteers may help out, too.

Nyberg, a retired teacher who taught art at Rapid River, Mid Peninsula and Big Bay de Noc Schools, helps show the kids how to use the materials. After brief instruction, it’s hands-off from the adults.

“I really like this idea, where it’s self-motivated,” said Nyberg.

A volunteer named Peggy blow-dries paintings so that children can take them home after practicing their creativity at Art at the Marketplace on Tuesday. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

This is Nyberg’s first time being involved with Art at the Marketplace, though she said she’s done similar things at Ludington Park years ago.

While there is no registration required and no age limit, the Bonifas asks that people fill out a sign-up sheet upon arrival so that they can keep a count of how many people attended.

Art at the Marketplace (found at the southwest corner of Ludington Street and 15th Street) is held from 1 to 3 p.m. every Tuesday until Aug. 18.