Exploring The Fine Arts

The Saugatuck and Douglas area's stature as the "Art Coast of Michigan" has grown immensely in recent years

Though identified as a haven for both practitioners and patrons of fine art for most of the past century, the Saugatuck area's stature as the Art Coast of Michigan has grown immensely in recent years. In fact, the number of galleries in the area jumped from 14 in 1995 to 38 in 2006. But sheer quantity is not the measure to be used in appraising the Saugatuck/Douglas art community. What distinguishes this unique creative enclave are its enormous breadth and world-class quality of art.

The mix of galleries in and around Saugatuck/Douglas comprises a vibrant kaleidoscope of the artistic experience. So many media, so many genres, so much talent! From humorous to sublime, from classical to contemporary, from provincial to universal: to experience the art of the Saugatuck/Douglas area is to experience the fullness of art itself. Among the many galleries in the Saugatuck/Douglas area are a number which have earned considerable prestige.

In the heart of Saugatuck, high-style contemporary crafts, wearable art, ethnic artifacts, furniture and fine art await the visitor at Good Goods, a gallery housed in a restored Victorian boardinghouse. Still active is one of the early founding artists of this prestigious community, Sylvia Randolph Bekken. At the age of 102, Ms. Bekken has written, illustrated and published her first cookbook and still works at her home in five different media. She is one artist featured at Good Goods.

Around the corner on Water Street visit The Tuscan Pot where artist Rachael Hirt handcrafts majolica pottery and mosaic tiles. On Hoffman Street, Koorey Creations presents original art and hand-crafted jewelry set with unique gemstones. New this year, the Copper Garden Studio on Culver Street offers unique copper and glass art for your home and garden.

Discovery Art Center on Water Street is a cooperative gallery featuring area artists. Just a few storefronts north you will come across the new Janice Miles Gallery, featuring original watercolors by this British artist. The Bruce Baughman Studio & Gallery on Butler Street features acclaimed reverse paintings by Bruce, including landscapes, figures and florals. Next door is the James Brandess Studios & Gallery, Inc. This extremely popular artist can be observed right in the front window as he lays on the thick impasto of a new oil painting or portrait in his signature style.

Located one mile north of Saugatuck you'll find sculptor Marcia Perry's Ark Gallery & Sculpture Studio, an inspiring nature-lovers' environment featuring soulful fine art. South and east of Saugatuck and a little farther out in the countryside visit Dawn Soltysiak's Khnemu Studio & Art Gallery where artist Dawn creates her uniquely beautiful pottery in a bucolic country setting.

Housed in a single building on Blue Star Highway in Douglas are the Button Gallery and The Constance Petter Gallery. At the Button Gallery one finds original paintings, bronzes and garden sculpture from nationwide artists. The Constance Petter Gallery specializes in sculpture, which is displayed both indoors and outdoors, and paintings. Around the corner on Center Street at the Thistle Gallery you will discover fine fused glass creations by Mary Glinski in addition to select works by other distinguished artists. Also on Center - relocated there this year from Saugatuck - Water Street Gallery showcases contemporary painting, prints, photographs and sculptures of over 50 artists-some of them delightfully whimsical!

The diversity of the global cultural experience is reflected by the Saugatuck-Douglas area's array of specialty galleries. Amaru Leather, in its location on Griffith Street in Saugatuck is a craft gallery concentrating on custom creations in leather by two resident designers. Around the corner on Culver Street Amazwi Contemporary Art Gallery features colorful paintings, sculptures and crafts from Africa. Right across the street vintage art posters are available at Galerie Toulouse. Czarina's Treasure on Water Street is an upscale international gallery specializing in Lotton Art Glass, crystal, vases, icons, bronzes, and jewelry.

Also, a cooperative called Blue Coast Artists sponsors open houses at all their participating galleries several times each year. There are even opportunities for visitors to create their own art at Express Yourself Art Barn, Ox-Bow Institute, Saugatuck Center for the Arts and the newly refurbished Red Barn Studio.

Brought together in one building, Saugatuck/Douglas' artwork and artists would rival any major metropolitan gallery. But they are not in one building; rather, they must be sought out in the nooks and crannies of these charming rural villages that have not sold out to the homogeneity of modern times. This makes exploring the Art Coast of Michigan all the more ambitious...and all the more fun.