Central Montcalm Art Showcase: Every March, the halls of Central Montcalm Middle High School in Stanton, Michigan transform into a vibrant celebration of creativity, imagination, and community.

Led by longtime art teacher Laura Ruggles, the Central Montcalm Art Showcase has become one of the most anticipated arts events in Montcalm County, Michigan. The event highlights student artwork, interactive exhibits, and creative displays that bring together families, educators, artists, and the local community.

On the Discover Montcalm Podcast, Laura shares the story behind this growing tradition — a showcase that celebrates the visual arts while inspiring the next generation of artists.

The Central Montcalm Art Showcase is an annual student art exhibition held every March at Central Montcalm Middle High School in Stanton, Michigan.

The event features:

• Student artwork from middle school and high school classes
• Interactive art experiences and themed exhibits
• Community creative partners including local organizations and libraries
• Family-friendly activities like scavenger hunts and art badges
• Hands-on participation for visitors of all ages

Rather than a traditional art show, the event has evolved into an immersive art experience designed to engage the entire community.

Art educator Laura Ruggles has been teaching art for nearly four decades. She joined Central Montcalm in the late 1990s and has spent years building a program that encourages creativity, exploration, and artistic confidence among students.

Her passion for art education started early.

Inspired by her own elementary art teacher, Laura decided as a child that she wanted to become an art teacher—and she never looked back.

After studying art education at Western Michigan University, she began her teaching career in 1987 and has since inspired generations of students through creative projects, themed art installations, and community-centered events like the Central Montcalm Art Showcase.

The Central Montcalm Art Showcase is more than just a school event.

Each year it welcomes hundreds of visitors from across Montcalm County, including families from nearby communities like:

• Greenville, Michigan
• Lakeview, Michigan
• Howard City, Michigan
• Edmore, Michigan

Local groups often participate with displays or demonstrations, helping create a unique arts festival atmosphere inside the school.

For the 2026 Central Montcalm Art Showcase, the theme embraces the outdoors with a creative twist.

Visitors will explore themed environments including:

• Outdoor hiking and camping art installations
• A Bob Ross inspired painting station
• Wetlands themed displays
• A creative campground storytelling area
• Student-built immersive art environments

The goal is to create an art experience visitors can explore, not just a gallery to walk through.

The Central Montcalm Art Showcase is designed for the whole family.

Activities often include:

🎨 Art scavenger hunts
🎨 Interactive displays
🎨 Creative participation stations
🎨 Student-led exhibits
🎨 Community art displays

Visitors can even earn fun “badges” by participating in activities throughout the showcase.

Event: Central Montcalm Art Showcase
Location: Central Montcalm Middle High School – Stanton, Michigan
Date: March 13, 2026
Audience: Open to the public

Admission is free and families from across Montcalm County are encouraged to attend.

The story behind the showcase is featured on the Discover Montcalm Podcast, where host Duane Weed highlights the people, communities, businesses, and attractions that make Montcalm County special.

In this episode, Laura Ruggles discusses:

• How the Central Montcalm Art Showcase began
• The evolution from an education showcase to an immersive art event
• The importance of art education in rural communities
• How students help build the themed environments each year

Listen now at
DiscoverMontcalmPodcast.com

Want to share your story on the Discover Montcalm Podcast?

Contact
Call 231-250-9624

Duane Weed at 231-250-9624 or [email protected]. Together, let’s showcase the heart of Montcalm County, one story at a time.

Check out this video!

Love stories that celebrate local people, places, and progress?
Subscribe to the Discover Montcalm Podcast and explore the voices that shape Montcalm County and beyond.

Have a story to share? Contact host Duane Weed at 231-250-9624 or [email protected] to be featured in a future episode — whether at your location or in-studio.

Catch up on all episodes and discover the soul of small-town Michigan:
discovermontcalmpodcast.com/category/podcast

Follow us and be part of a growing community of storytellers.

Produced by: https://www.dwvideo.com 
#DiscoverMontcalm #DiscoverMontcalmPodcast #MontcalmCounty #LocalVoices #MichiganPodcasts #CommunityMatters #SupportLocalStories

by Discover Montcalm Podcast

Check out the podcast all about Montcalm County Michigan. 

The post Central Montcalm Art Showcase – Featuring Art Teacher Laura Ruggles first appeared on Discover Montcalm Podcast.