Ox-tober at the Ox-Bow School of Art

It wasn’t always called the Art Coast of Michigan, but the communities of creatives in and around Saugatuck trace their roots to a small group that sought refuge here from Chicago’s industrialization more than 100 years ago. Nestled in a bend along the Kalamazoo, the Ox-Bow School was once the Riverside Hotel, a 20-room inn for traveling tradesmen. But when the Kalamazoo was straightened to empty directly into Lake Michigan, traffic was diverted and the inn faced an uncertain future. Instead of closing, the inn was sold for the season to a group of artists from Chicago that started the Ox-Bow School of Art. They quickly became infatuated with Saugatuck’s setting as an urban escape. The climate, dunes, lush country and farmland, and cool breezes on warm summer days all added to the unmistakable charm of the town and area.

Today, students from around the country visit Ox-Bow to study and make art on the 115-acre campus in Saugatuck. The school offers courses for credit and non-credit that can be used towards the degree requirements of the Art Institute of Chicago, including the off-campus study requirement.

This October, celebrate the season around the fire at the Ox-tober event for an evening of hors d’oeuvres, drinking, and dancing, as well as art available for sale. Each guest also receives a one-of-a-kind, handmade mug from Ox-Bow artist, Noah Singer. Cider will be served with spirits from Ox-tober sponsor, Coppercraft Distillery. Additional mugs are available if you’d like to get one as a gift for someone back home or add to your own collection.

Get more information on Ox-Bow’s campus and the Ox-tober event.

Ox-Bow School of Art
3435 Rupprecht Way
Saugatuck MI 49453
269.857.5811