A Note from Our Director . . .

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

As I write this letter, the tulips are peeking up in my yard. I can’t believe spring is already around the corner! But I can’t say we were hibernating at Ox-Bow; the winter season is when we start putting the pieces in place for our busy summer of classes and community events, and I think I speak for all of us at Ox when I say, we are truly excited for Summer 2023!

Like everyone, we’ve been slowly gaining our footing over the past couple years, getting our regular programs back up to speed, making adjustments to ideas we launched in 2020 and 2021, and easing into our new public space at Ox-Bow House. This summer feels like the moment it all falls into sync, and we’re so excited to share with you what we have in store.

As you plan your summer experience at Ox-Bow, we know you’re hungry for our food! Look for the return of our Best in West Michigan dining series and the new Taste of Ox-Bow dinners happening in conjunction with our famed Friday Night Open Studios. If you are ready to roll up your sleeves and make some art, we’ve expanded our family Art on the Meadow offerings, kept some long-time favorites, and launched some great new workshops like Broom Making Basics with Cate O’Connell-Richards and Build Your Own Fountain with Libbi Ponce. At Ox-Bow House we are planning a suite of events to whet your appetite for history, education, and collecting. Our exhibition She Started It opens June 30th and compliments the Saugatuck-Douglas Historic Center’s Herstory: Women’s History in Saugatuck Douglas. This exhibition will feature women’s history at Ox-Bow over our 113 years in the community and will include a series of artist talks by some of the women who regularly teach on our campus, including Andrea Peterson (papermaking) and Jessee Rose Crane (blacksmithing). In the shop we’ll feature local artists, faculty, and alumni throughout the summer, along with specialty art supplies and books. Look for news about our bi-weekly featured artist in our newsletter and social media channels!

Lastly—save that date! The benefit is back with our annual dinner on July 7th and summer concert, July 8th. Come to one, or come to both, and have that magical experience of our campus and meadow including great food, drink, music, and more!

Fingers crossed for great weather and stunning sunsets: we are excited to see you!

On behalf of all of us at Ox-Bow,

Yours,

Shannon R. Stratton Executive Director

1 PHOTO BY JESSICA LABATTE