Saugatuck and Douglas call themselves the Art Coast of Michigan, and they have earned it. Artists have been coming here for well over a century.
Here is a short version of the story, and how I would see the art scene today. It is a big part of why these two towns feel the way they do.
Why this blog? Hi, I'm Katie. My family and I run Mitten Rentals, and I have been hosting vacation rentals for more than ten years (Superhost since 2015). This is where I share the places I send our own guests along the West Michigan lakeshore.
READ: The Goose Festival and the Fall Gallery Stroll
The Art Coast, Then and Now
1) Ox-Bow
In 1910, artists from Chicago founded the Ox-Bow School of Art on the edge of Saugatuck.
It still runs today, now with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. My husband and I lived in Chicago before moving back to Michigan, so I love that the Chicago connection is still part of the story.
Ox-Bow is part of what makes Saugatuck feel different from other beach towns. When you walk through town and see all the galleries, you are seeing more than a hundred years of artists who chose this place. The school is a reminder that the art here is more than decoration. It has been part of the town's life for generations.
2) Galleries today
Downtown Saugatuck and Douglas are full of galleries.
Wander Butler Street and Center Street on a weekend afternoon. Go slow, pop into anything that catches your eye, and leave time for a coffee in between.
My advice is to treat it like a slow walk, not a shopping trip. You do not have to buy anything to enjoy the galleries. Ask questions, look at the work, and enjoy the time in town. Some galleries are small and quiet, some are bigger and bolder. That mix is part of the fun.
READ: A Perfect Day in Saugatuck
3) Gallery strolls
Several times a year, the galleries hold strolls with open doors and new shows.
Check the visitors bureau calendar before you go. If your dates line up with a stroll, that is the best way to see a lot of galleries in one evening.
Even if you do not catch a stroll, the galleries are a great way to spend an afternoon. Pair your visit with dinner in Saugatuck or Douglas and make a whole evening of it. Gallery strolls tend to bring out a fun crowd, and the towns feel especially lively on those nights.
Knowing the history makes a gallery afternoon in Saugatuck feel a little different. You are walking streets artists have loved for generations. If you love art, plan a trip around a gallery stroll. Walk slowly, look closely, and bring home a piece of the Art Coast if something speaks to you. Even a single afternoon in the galleries will change how you see these two towns.
Saugatuck Cabin and Fennville River View are both a short drive from the galleries. Come stay with us and spend an afternoon on the Art Coast.
More favorites in my Saugatuck area guide.