Aerial view of Traverse City, Michigan. Courtesy Traverse City TourismThe Midwest is a large swath of the country spanning Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Although these states might not be the first to come to mind when people think of art hubs, the Midwest is thriving with art communities across urban, rural and suburban areas. Art lovers can find booming creative scenes and world-class museums in cities like Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit and Minneapolis, and hidden gems like Muskegon, Michigan; Lucas, Kansas; and Mineral Point, Wisconsin.
Michigan Artists gallery. Courtesy Traverse City Tourism
In this special guide to collecting fine art in the Midwest, we zoom in on galleries in picturesque lakeside towns like Saugatuck/Douglas that earned the area's reputation as the Art Coast of Michigan; in the vibrant art-centric city of Traverse City, Michigan, all the way to Indianapolis, Indiana. a city with a variety of art offerings that can hold its own against any other metropolis in the country. No matter where you are in the Midwest, art experiences are plentiful, diverse and just waiting to be experienced.
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Saugatuck-Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
95 Blue Star Highway
Douglas, Michigan 49406
(269) 857-1701
www.saugatuck.com
Nestled along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, amidst a backdrop of stunning natural beauty, Saugatuck/Douglas has long inspired artists of all mediums and captivated visiting art lovers.
A historic photo of a figure drawing class at Ox-Bow School of Art.
This enchanting area became an artist’s destination in 1905, when art students from The Art Institute of Chicago rebelled against the traditional practice of in-studio painting. Interested in the plein air movement, these artists were drawn to the scenic Kalamazoo River where they began teaching summer painting classes.
An interior view of Button Gallery in Douglas, Michigan—one of countless galleries to explore on the Art Coast of Michigan.
An artist paints in plein air at Oval Beach in Saugatuck, Michigan.
By 1914, their enthusiasm for outdoor painting had caught on across the region, necessitating their classes move to what eventually became known as the Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists’ Residency. Now, Saugatuck/Douglas is home to numerous galleries, studios, exhibitions and public art installations, earning its distinction as the Art Coast of Michigan.
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J. Petter Galleries
161 Blue Star Highway
Douglas, MI 49406
(269) 857-2230
info@jpettergalleries.com
www.jpettergalleries.com
In the year 1923, renowned painter Carl Hoerman erected a building on the Art Coast of Michigan and called it the River Guild Gallery Center. Fifty years later, in 1973, Joyce Petter opened her own gallery and eventually moved it to that historical location. When asked if she ever imagined her gallery would be flourishing and growing in that same historical location half a century later, Petter, now 96, grins and says she enjoys watching her legacy continue.
J. Petter Galleries interior. Photo credit: Kim Zahnow
J. Petter Galleries is thankful for the countless artists, collectors, designers and art lovers that have made the last 50 years so memorable. “Year after year our customers return to find something special. We know we are a destination for many, and we are honored to be a part of their lives,” says gallery owner and director Juli Petter, adding that they have even more to celebrate this year. “Dave and Jane Armstrong, owners of Armstrong De Graaf International Fine Art, asked us to continue their legacy as they finally retire,” she says. They agreed and J. Petter Galleries now have two new locations—a contemporary gallery in Saugatuck and a viewing room outside of Butch’s Drydock Restaurant in Holland.”
J. Petter Galleries, Standing Form, bronze, ed. 8 of 9, 48 x 10 x 8", by Paul Varga.
J. Petter Galleries now represents 130 talented fine artists and has over 1,600 pieces of art on display and available for purchase in the galleries and on the website.
J. Petter Galleries, 900 North, oil on canvas, 64 x 38", by Nina Weiss.
Join the gallery in a celebration of their recent expansion at the Saugatuck location on May 27 and their 50th anniversary on June 10 at the Douglas location, featuring top artists Gert Olsen, Nina Weiss and Rein Vanderhill.
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Higher Art Gallery
219 E. Front Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
(231) 252-4616
higherartgallery@gmail.com
www.higherartgallery.com
Interior view of Higher Art Gallery
Established in 2016, Higher Art Gallery (HART) is nestled right in the heart of beautiful downtown Traverse City, Michigan. This region may be known for its appeal to tourists who flock to the region from all across the globe to enjoy the Great Lakes, wineries and natural beauty, however Northwest Michigan is gaining notoriety as an art destination as well.
Higher Art Gallery, Sometimes my Monster, oil, 36 x 36", by Lisa Muller.
Higher Art Gallery, Regal Ruth, clay, 16 x 6 x 7", by Michelle Tock York.
Higher Art Gallery is home to 40 contemporary artists and, because art is a universal language, the gallery showcases some of the region’s best artists as well as unique voices in art from all over the world. HART is owned and directed by artist Shanny Brooke. Special attention is paid to representing female voices in the art world, with a featured artist exhibition every 40 days and a main, dynamic gallery that is always evolving to keep things fresh for visitors. Higher Art Gallery takes pride in representing emerging and established artists across a broad range of styles and mediums.
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Beth Clary Fine Art Gallery
5636 E. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46219
(317) 439-7143
www.bethclaryschwier.com
Beth Clary Schwier is an accomplished fine art painter from Indiana, known for her exquisite impressionist paintings that evoke a sense of nostalgia and serenity. Her gallery, located in Indianapolis, showcases a range of her work, including florals, European architecture, boats, ballerinas and more.
Beth Clary Schwier, Flowers in the Farm Sink (diptych), acrylic on canvas, 48 x 120"
Schwier’s paintings have caught the attention of many art enthusiasts and have been featured on the HGTV show, “Good Bones,” where her work was displayed in houses that were being renovated. Her time spent studying with the legendary artist C.W. Mundy has had a profound impact on her work and she has been recognized for her talent with multiple awards.
Interior view of Beth Clary Fine Art Gallery in Indianapolis.
Schwier’s art reflects her deep passion for nature, architecture and the human form. Her ability to capture the essence of these subjects in her paintings continues to inspire and captivate audiences across the country. —
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