Festival of Trains: Runs Dec. 20 - Jan. 3. Santa visits on Sat., Dec. 21 & Sat., Dec. 27 from 1-3pm. Multiple operating model train displays, Model Train Swap Meet, door prizes & more. Tickets at door: $5; 4 & under, free. Hours are Mon. through Sat., 10am-6pm; & Sun., 1-4pm. Closed on 12/25 & open from 1-4pm on 1/1. Presented by Northern Michigan Railroad Club & The Curiosity …

Portraits of Place: Presented by CTAC's Kitchen Painters, this is a vibrant exhibition celebrating the beauty, spirit, & shared stories of northern Michigan. Runs Nov. 29 - Jan. 10. See web site for hours.

Winter Member Exhibition: Dec. 5 - Jan. 2. Opening reception on Dec. 5 from 5-7pm. OAC member showcase is an all-media exhibit just in time for holiday gift-giving. Hours are Tues. - Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. Closed 12/24, 12/25 & 1/1.

Beneath the Surface: Training Tomorrow’s Water Stewards: The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at NMC is advancing freshwater, groundwater, & marine science through cutting-edge technology, education, & research. This exhibit highlights NMC students' hands-on work with remotely operated vehicles, sonar mapping, & groundwater sampling. Runs Sept. 18 - Jan. 4. See web site for hours.

Dewey Blocksma: Roundtable: Blocksma's artwork is a gathering of figures & ideas, real & imagined, informed by medicine & art. Common themes include: puzzle heads, violin women, fake computers, Dutch cowboys, porcupines, & much more, all within a world assembled & reassembled, juggling toys buffeted by current events. Runs Sept. 18 - Jan. 4. Check web site for hours.

Doug Cannell: "Selections from Backstories": An introduction to Doug Cannell’s works that merge sculpture, installation, & storytelling into layered experiences. Cannell creates objects that resist easy definition. Runs through April 3. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11am-4pm.

Ice Into Ocean: Arctic Tracings: This exhibition is the result of a seven year collaboration between Cy Keener & Justine Holzman, exploring how ice shifts & reshapes the landscapes of the Arctic. Through large scale drawings, images, & installation, the exhibit investigates the nature & movement of ice & water across this remote environment. Runs Sept. 18 - Jan. 4. Check web site for hours.

Impressions of an Era: Prints from the Denison Museum Collection: This selection of prints, created between 1970 & 1990 by nationally & internationally recognized contemporary artists, reflects two transformative decades in contemporary printmaking. Artists include Dee Shapiro, Barbara Kohl-Spiro, KUDO Muramasa & James Rizzi. Runs through May 31. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11am-4pm.