Famous Smokey Bear paintings are now in the UP

WATERSMEET, Mich. (WLUC) - People can now visit famous paintings of Smokey Bear on display in the Upper Peninsula.

The Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center in Watersmeet is hosting a Smokey Bear art exhibit. Visitor Karen Kobyleski felt nostalgic as she walked around the display.

"Remembering not to start fires," Kobyleski said. "We were always growing up, you know, don't start a fire today; Smokey wouldn't like it. So just childhood memories."

Kobyleski remembered rules such as not lighting fires when it's dry outside. She says the artist did a great job with the imagery.

"Where they're lifting the cub out, and you can almost see in the background like fire damage to the forest," Kobyleski said. "It's kinda sad to think that a quick, little campfire turns into a big forest fire."

The exhibit is part of the U.S. Forest Service's 80th Birthday Celebration of America's favorite bear. The 19 replicas are his most famous depictions.

Artist Rudy Wendelin was a U.S. Forest Service illustrator and draftsman. He painted the portraits from 1977 through 1995 to help prevent forest fires.

"As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words," said Manager Karl Hildebrandt. "We all think Rudy Wendelin did an amazing job at getting that message out to come across loud and clear."

He says the visitor center is one of 14 national forests that hosts the exhibit.

"They invoke certain feelings out of certain people," Hildebrandt said. "So, some of them are playful, some of them are a little more serious, but they kind of emphasize the fact that we need to be responsible."

He says this is a unique opportunity. The portraits will be on display until October 25th. Visitors can view them during the center's regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hildebrandt says the center will have extended viewing hours until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, and Thursday, Oct. 24.