From Canvas to Coastline: Exploring Saugatuck’s Art Scene

Michigan’s “Art Coast” – An Artistic Haven for Over a Century.

Since the early 1900s, Saugatuck has attracted artists and art lovers alike, drawn by the gorgeous natural scenery along eastern Lake Michigan, welcoming culture, and thriving galleries.   With the founding of the Ox-Bow School of Art in 1910, Saugatuck became an esteemed destination for local artists and those from afar, sharing studio space on their sprawling 115-acre campus and exhibiting in town at various gallery spaces. Today, Ox-Bow still has a renowned artists’ residency program through its association with the Art Institute of Chicago, and the rows of Saugatuck art galleries have only grown more diverse and impressive over the decades.

When you stay at our Saugatuck bed and breakfast, you’ll be within a mile (easily walkable or bikeable) of numerous world-class galleries, with outdoor art shows and exhibits during every season of the year. Here, along the fabled “Art Coast” of Michigan, creativity and expression run deep – you’ll come away with inspiration and return home with your new favorite piece of art.

Downtown Saugatuck – Brandess Gallery, Michigan-Inspired Landscapes, and Public Art Around Town

Start your dive into the local art scene at James Brandess Gallery, located in the center of Saugatuck on Butler St, a scenic 15-minute walk along the Kalamazoo River. When you pass Coughlin Park along the way, look for the iconic bright-red sculpture Family of Man, IV, one of several public art pieces spread throughout Saugatuck and Douglas. 

In a space that once housed the local post office, James Brandess creates masterful landscapes in his on-site studio and displays them in a vibrant gallery space. He sells original oil paintings on canvas, many focusing on local scenery like the Kalamazoo River and the picturesque shores of Lake Michigan. He also has woodblock prints and giclee recreations of his pieces, a hi-tech process using millions of ink droplets to produce copies of his paintings virtually indistinguishable from the originals. His collection also includes notecards, coasters, calendars, and magnets, which make great souvenirs or holiday gifts. When you visit, you’ll likely meet Brandess, always a warm presence and stalwart of the local community.

Strolling the Gallery-Lined Streets of Douglas

Heading in the other direction from your boutique Hotel Saugatuck room or cottage, cross over the bridge to Douglas, our lovely and hip neighbor on the other side of the Kalamazoo River. Within just a few blocks along Center St, you’ll find some of the area's most inviting and creatively curated galleries. 

Start at the Button Gallery, run by Michael Burmeister out of a historic building from 1906 (the architecture in Douglas and Saugatuck is a living work of art), featuring everything from sweeping Lake Michigan dune paintings by local artist Michael Rippey to delicate still-lifes from Jeanne Ruzzin. 

On the next block, you can’t miss Mr. Miller’s Art Emporium, a proud supporter of local art, like ceramics from Amy Song, hand-carved marble sculptures by Saul Rubenstein, and stunning lakeside photography by Lyle Kinsee. Living up to its “emporium” name, Miller’s space is wide-ranging and includes all styles and artistic mediums.

Just a few hundred feet away, step into the classy Water Street Gallery space, where their mission is to “engage, educate, and inspire.” From cubist modern abstract oil paintings by Federico Pinto Schmid to Pollock-esque abstract paintings by Charlotte Foust and unique surrealist resin/stone sculptures by Mary Pat Wallen, their selection is among the most extensive and engaging of the Saugatuck art galleries. Keep an eye out for upcoming studio sale exhibits at Water St, which showcase the collected work of a specific artist – on November 18th, 2023, Megan Woodard Johnson will show her mixed media abstract color collages.

Finish off by stopping at Woosah Outfitters, where artist Erica Lang has woodcuts inspired by rootsy nature scenes, Lake Michigan shorebirds, and a love of the outdoors. Their quaint store has something for every price point, from framed prints to shirts and stickers. They also offer affordable bike rentals, so jump on two wheels and head down to the shore of Lake Michigan on one of our favorite riverside and lakeside bike routes.

Although it has already happened in 2023, mark the calendar for next year for the Saugatuck-Douglas Fall Gallery Stroll, which takes place in early autumn and celebrates the vibrant Douglas and Saugatuck art galleries with live music, artist demos, and wine-sipping and mingling at night.

Can’t-Miss Summer Art Events and Wintertime Markets

While summertime has the most outdoor art gatherings in Saugatuck – the Waterfront Invitational Fine Art Fair and Village Square Arts and Crafts Fair, both held annually in July, are much-lauded art shows  – there are plenty of events throughout the fall and winter as well.

Saugatuck Center for the Arts, which hosts prestigious art exhibits throughout the year, holds its annual Winter’s Eve Market on November 3rd, 2023 when over 40 local artists and vendors are set up in their courtyard. Free to the public and a lively night with food trucks, craft cocktails, and local musicians, it’s a fun community celebration and a way to support local artisans (ranging from boutique cutting boards to leatherwork, reclaimed wood art decor, and handmade jewelry).

From late November through February, the charming Douglas Ox-Bow House outpost of the famed Ox-Bow School holds its Winter Artist Market Thursdays through Sundays. Students-in-residence and faculty show and sell their pieces, continuing the artistic tradition started by Ox-Bow over 100 years ago, still as healthy and flourishing as ever.

Stay with us – where Saugatuck art galleries are just a stroll away, expertly curated and sure to inspire!