Landscape Painting

with James Brandess
August 22, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Tuition: $100
Materials Fee: N/A

In these multilevel oil painting workshops, students will paint outdoors amid the historic Ox-Bow landscape in the medium of their choice. Instruction will focus on recognizing and then painting what we actually see. Through this process of learning to see, participants will create paintings that have veracity and strength. The workshop will include discussion of the tools and materials needed to set up and paint in any landscape you choose. Sign up for one or both of these three-hour morning painting workshops on the meadow alongside the lagoon.

Plan to bring: small gessoed canvases, flat bristle brushes, oil paints, 1 pint of odorless paint thinner, travel easel, drawing supplies (vine charcoal, pencil, white eraser, sketchbook), at least 3 empty tin cans, empty glass jar with lid, blue paper shop towels, 18-by-24-inch plexiglass palette, vinyl gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, and hat with visor.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

James Brandess (he/him) was born in Chicago. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he has been a longtime teacher at Ox-Bow. Saugatuck, Michigan, has been home to James Brandess Studios and Gallery, Inc., for over 30 years.

Papermaking Play

with Rowan Leek
August 22, 10:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $250
Materials Fee: $30

Participants in this workshop will learn to make their own richly textured handmade paper using abaca, cotton, and hemp fibers. Demonstrations will cover sheet pulling and a range of surface-decoration techniques, including stenciling, dry-brush applications, and squeeze-bottle mark-making. The workshop will begin with foundational papermaking methods, followed by hands-on exploration at the vats as participants create multiple sheets to air-dry at home. Finished papers can be used for drawing, collage, or craft projects, or enjoyed as artworks on their own.

Plan to bring: a notebook or sketchbook, waterproof shoes (such as rain boots), and any botanical or collage materials you’d like to incorporate.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Rowan Leek (he/him) is a paper and fiber artist originally from Memphis. He graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art with a BFA in Sculpture and Expanded Media. While in college, he interned at the Morgan Conservatory for two summers and learned paper and printmaking. He went on to receive a studio management internship at Penland School of Craft’s Books and Paper Studios and returned the following winter as a studio assistant. Leek currently resides in West Michigan and works as Campus Manager at Ox-Bow. His work has been shown at the Betsy Gallery at Ox-Bow; at Reinberger Gallery and Bostwick Design Art Initiative, Cleveland; and as part of the traveling Queer Ecology Hanky Project.

New Beginnings in Writing

with Jack Ridl
August 22, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $150
Materials Fee: N/A

Jack Ridl believes that making art and writing generate realizations and valuable experiences that can happen no other way, and he brings to this workshop decades of experience in “de-threatening” the artmaking process. He hopes that you will leave at home any notions of departing Ox-Bow with something completed; instead, he will encourage you to start many things—written pieces, creative notions, seeds of ideas. He strives to create an instant community in which conversation throughout the day is stimulating, joyful, and worthwhile.

Plan to bring: writing utensils and paper or notebook and memorable tokens from your life that may inspire writing and collaboration.

Jack Ridl (he/him), Poet Laureate of Douglas, Michigan, is the author of books including All at Once and Saint Peter and the Goldfinch. His work has been recognized by the Foreword Reviews Gold Award for Poetry, the Society of Midland Authors Poetry Award, the Center for Book Arts chapbook award, and selection as best sports book of the year by the Institute for International Sport. Individual poems have been published in the Georgia Review, Poetry, Colorado Review, Rattle, North American Review, Prairie Schooner, Field, Poetry East, and elsewhere. Students at Hope College named him both Outstanding Professor and Favorite Professor, and in 1996, Carnegie Foundation/CASE named him Michigan Professor of the Year. More than 85 of his students have earned their MFAs, and over 100 are published; several have received first book awards. Every Thursday, he posts a monologue on YouTube as part of his video series The Sentimentalist.

Terra-Cotta Planters 

with Israel Davis
August 22, 10:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $250
Materials Fee: $30

In this workshop, students will design and create their own terra-cotta planters using red earthenware clay. We’ll explore hand-building techniques including slab construction with cut patterns, as well as pinching, coiling, and appliqué to add form, texture, and personal character. The class will begin with constructing the basic planter shape in the morning, followed by refining, detailing, and completing each vessel after lunch. Fired planters can be picked up at Ox-Bow at a later date.

Plan to bring: an apron or clothes suitable for getting messy.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Israel “Izzy” Davis (he/him) is an artist whose work plays between the boundaries of object and image. He has taught numerous workshops and exhibited nationally and internationally. Davis’s work ranges in content from personal narratives to observations, particulars, and fun. A professor and Head of Ceramics at Central Michigan University, he has taught, organized, and participated in programming at Ox-Bow for more than 20 years.

Creative Movement & Self-Exploration

with Ash Tree Crofoot
August 22, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Tuition: $100
Materials Fee: $10

This workshop introduces participants to the Tamalpa Life/Art Process, a movement-based expressive arts approach that weaves together creative movement, drawing, writing, and structured reflection to support personal insight and artistic growth. Through guided exercises, students will explore how body-based awareness can open new pathways for creativity, intuition, and self-expression. We’ll begin with grounding movement scores and sensory awareness practices on the meadow, attuning to breath, sensation, and personal imagery. From there, we’ll shift to drawing and creative writing prompts that translate movement-based experiences into visual and poetic form, followed by small-group collaborations and witnessing practices that invite deeper understanding. The workshop will close with reflective writing to integrate themes, metaphors, and discoveries that emerged throughout the process. This session is accessible to all levels—no dance or artmaking experience required. It emphasizes process, welcoming all abilities and encouraging a playful, exploratory mindset.

Plan to bring: layered clothing for outdoor movement, anything needed for comfort on the ground, water bottle, personal writing materials, and basic drawing or simple painting supplies. Oil pastels, newsprint, and yoga mats will be provided.

Ash Tree Crofoot (she/her) is a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist and Expressive Arts Practitioner. She holds advanced degrees in Body-Based Expressive Arts Therapy, Transpersonal Psychology, and Ecopsychology. She is a graduate of the internationally renowned Tamalpa Institute for movement-based expressive arts and is trained in the Somatic Experiencing model of nervous system–informed trauma resolution. Since 2010, she has worked in group settings and private practice, offering a unique blend of somatic psychology and expressive arts approaches to growth, healing, and creative development. She is a native Midwesterner, and the shores of West Michigan have been a place of annual pilgrimage and restoration for generations of her family. This summer, she is thrilled to offer her work in collaboration with this spirited place and its people.

Earth & Self: Movement-Based Expressive Arts in Nature

with Ash Tree Crofoot
August 8, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Tuition: $100
Materials Fee: $10

In this outdoor expressive arts workshop, participants will explore how movement, drawing, and writing can deepen their connection to the natural world. Through guided practices in contemplative movement, sensory awareness, and creative response, the class will investigate how the environment can serve as collaborator, mirror, and source of inspiration. We’ll begin with a brief orientation, followed by warm-up drawing and reflective writing. Participants will then move into guided mindful movement and sensory practices before engaging in solo explorations of the meadow and its more-than-human inhabitants. These experiences will be brought back into drawing and writing as tools for further discovery, play, and personal insight. The session will close with small-group reflection and a collective sharing circle. This session is accessible to all levels—no dance or artmaking experience required. It emphasizes process, welcoming all abilities and encouraging a playful, exploratory mindset. It takes place entirely outdoors, and participants will be invited to wander, sit, lie down, and move freely on the ground.

Plan to bring: anything you need for comfort outdoors, layered clothing, water bottle, snacks, personal writing tools, and drawing or simple painting supplies of your choice, including paper.

 Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Ash Tree Crofoot (she/her) is a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist and Expressive Arts Practitioner. She holds advanced degrees in Body-Based Expressive Arts Therapy, Transpersonal Psychology, and Ecopsychology. She is a graduate of the internationally renowned Tamalpa Institute for movement-based expressive arts and is trained in the Somatic Experiencing model of nervous system–informed trauma resolution. Since 2010, she has worked in group settings and private practice, offering a unique blend of somatic psychology and expressive arts approaches to growth, healing, and creative development. She is a native Midwesterner, and the shores of West Michigan have been a place of annual pilgrimage and restoration for generations of her family. This summer, she is thrilled to offer her work in collaboration with this spirited place and its people.

Punch Needle Embroidery

with Patti Reen
August 8, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $150
Materials Fee: $30

Punch needle embroidery is an ancient textile art, dating back to early Egyptian and medieval traditions, now enjoying a modern revival through the resurgence of slow stitching and handwork. In this workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of this satisfying technique—threading the punch needle, creating smooth lines and curves, and building texture with colorful embroidery floss. Working from a small pattern mounted in a lap frame, participants will explore design, rhythm, and the tactile pleasure of textile making. A finishing technique will be demonstrated, and a detailed handout with resources will be provided for those eager to continue at home.

Plan to bring: No outside materials required. A punch needle and other materials will be provided for use during the workshop; optional frames and tools will be available for purchase from Ox-Bow.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Patti Reen is a retired registered nurse and moved to Holland with her husband in 2019. She is a proud mom to three girls and a grandma of 5. She has been making art for all of her life. It all started at age 8 when her grandmother taught her to knit and embroider, and then she moved on to sewing garments and quilts. Stained glass came next, then primitive rug hooking and punch needle embroidery. She learned to make mosaics at the Chicago Mosaic School at age 60! She’s been working with Punch Needle Embroidery since 2007, and has recently been displaying and selling her pieces at the Holland Arts Council and Ox-Bow House in Douglas. She really enjoys meeting folks interested in learning both Punch Needle Embroidery and Sashiko Embroidery, and looks forward to meeting new students.

Glass Basics

with Rachel E. Brace
August 8, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $250
Materials Fee: $30

In this hands-on hotshop workshop, participants will learn the foundational techniques of glassblowing while gaining confidence working with molten material. Through guided demonstrations and plenty of practice, you’ll explore how to gather, shape, and sculpt hot glass using traditional tools and mindful attention to heat, breath, and timing. We’ll begin with an overview of the studio and safety practices, along with a brief history of glassblowing as a craft and contemporary art form. Participants will start by making a solid paperweight, then build skills toward creating small sculptural forms, and ultimately craft their own hand-blown cup. Along the way, we’ll experiment with applying color, adding small decorative bits, and understanding how form shifts during each stage of the process. This workshop is open to all levels—no prior experience required.

Plan to bring: water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and comfortable natural-fiber clothing suitable for a hotshop environment. All glassblowing tools and materials will be provided.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Rachel Brace (she/they) has been working with glass for over a decade. As a native Michigander, she has found inspiration for her glasswork in the beauty of the nature around her. She has worked at Ox-Bow for five years, currently serving as the Glass Studio Manager.

Watercolor Foundations: Techniques for Confident Painting

with David Baker
4-Day, August 3–6, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Tuition: $300
Materials Fee: N/A

In this welcoming workshop, participants will learn the core techniques of transparent watercolor and gain confidence in a medium often described as challenging or unforgiving. We’ll explore how to work from light to dark, manage water-to-pigment ratios, and approach “mistakes” as opportunities for creative problem-solving. The workshop will begin with a brief demonstration of essential methods—washes, gradients, lifting, layering, and glazing—followed by guided practice to build control and fluency. Participants will create a series of small studies designed to support a grounded understanding of how watercolor behaves on the page. This session is ideal for beginners or artists in other media who are curious to try watercolor with gentle structure and supportive instruction.

Plan to bring: watercolor supplies, including watercolor paper and a set of Prismacolor pencils.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

David Baker (he/him) is a visual artist who specializes in poetic landscape painting, much of it done en plein air. His studio pieces are often reinterpretations of paintings done outdoors. His principal media are watercolor, oil, and charcoal. His subjects are magical discoveries made while walking the landscape near Lake Michigan and, in particular, the campus of Ox-Bow. Frequently, these paintings will suggest an ongoing series of pictures. A lifelong artist and teacher, Baker recently retired as Art Professor Emeritus from Southwestern Michigan College. He continues to teach at Ox-Bow, South Haven Center for the Arts, and Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, and he maintains a studio at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph.

Color Theory Essentials: The Double Primary Palette

with David Baker
4-Day, August 3–6, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Tuition: $300
Materials Fee: N/A

In this workshop, participants will build a foundation in practical color theory using the double primary palette—an accessible system that expands mixing possibilities and strengthens any painting practice. Working with acrylics, we’ll explore hue, value, saturation, color temperature, simultaneous contrast, and complementary color relationships. We will begin with a brief overview of color’s physical properties, followed by guided mixing exercises that reveal how different primaries interact. Participants will create a series of small color studies to investigate spatial effects, contrast, and temperature shifts—tools they can apply to future painting projects.

Plan to bring: a basic acrylic set, painting surfaces of various sizes and textures, and a color wheel.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

David Baker (he/him) is a visual artist who specializes in poetic landscape painting, much of it done en plein air. His studio pieces are often reinterpretations of paintings done outdoors. His principal media are watercolor, oil, and charcoal. His subjects are magical discoveries made while walking the landscape near Lake Michigan and, in particular, the campus of Ox-Bow. Frequently, these paintings will suggest an ongoing series of pictures. A lifelong artist and teacher, Baker recently retired as Art Professor Emeritus from Southwestern Michigan College. He continues to teach at Ox-Bow, South Haven Center for the Arts, and Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, and he maintains a studio at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph.

Make a Handmade Journal

with Sandra Hansen
August 1, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Tuition:  $75
Materials Fee: $30

In this workshop, students will learn how to construct and personalize a hand-bound journal. Techniques demonstrated include covering cardboard with decorative papers, installing simple closures, adding bookmarks, collage and surface decoration, and creating paper pulp sheets or shapes using stencils. The class will flow from guided journal assembly to open-ended decorating, followed by a playful introduction to papermaking processes.

Plan to bring: a spirit of curiosity and creativity. All essential supplies will be provided, with optional materials available for continued exploration at home.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Sandra Hansen (she/her) is a West Michigan–based environmental artist whose handmade paper sheets and occasional sculptural works explore the delicate relationships within natural ecosystems. She holds an MFA from Kendall College of Art and Design and has developed a distinctive approach to creating large‑scale handmade papers, shaped in part by a formative residency in Australia. Her work has been exhibited regionally and internationally, including at ArtPrize 2025, where she received recognition for her installation Our Exquisite Pollution. Her art has been on view at Root Café in Fennville, Michigan, and at Ox-Bow House. Hansen enjoys teaching papermaking and journal-making workshops at various locations.

Wild Grapevine Baskets

with Laurie Zientek
August 1, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $200
Materials Fee: $20

Using freshly gathered wild grapevines and a variety of hand-dyed reed and seagrass, students will learn how to form hoops and make the framework of a ribbed-style basket. Students can expect to complete one medium-size basket in class.

Plan to bring: an old towel and an apron to protect clothing. All materials and tools will be provided.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Laurie Zientek (she/her) is a native of Michigan who has been weaving baskets for over 40 years, working with natural materials and custom-dyed reeds to create beautiful, functional pieces. She loves sharing her hard-earned knowledge from decades of weaving, experimenting, and learning from other talented artisans. Zientek enjoys teaching the basics of basket weaving along with plenty of tips and tricks to help each student create something they’re proud of.

Natural Impressions: Botanical Pressing in Ink

with JoAnne Laudolff
August 1, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Tuition: $75
Materials Fee: $20

Celebrate the abundance of summer with this vibrant nature printing workshop, during which we’ll transform fresh flowers and leaves into colorful printed wreaths. Participants will learn how to compose botanical arrangements and hand-print them onto fine papers to create frame-worthy works. Techniques demonstrated will include selecting and preparing plant materials, applying paints for optimal transfers, and hand-rubbing prints to capture delicate natural textures. The workshop will begin with an introduction to botanical printing, followed by guided experimentation with composition and printing methods. Participants will create one large print along with several smaller botanical impressions.

Plan to bring: fresh leaves or small botanical materials of personal interest (optional). All papers, paints, and additional plant materials will be provided. Please ensure any collected plant materials are fresh; if gathered the day prior, store them in a sealed bag in the refrigerator.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

JoAnne Laudolff (she/her) is a Saugatuck-based artist who has been teaching Japanese papermaking, printmaking, oil and cold wax, and mixed-media workshops for over 25 years. She holds a BA from Columbia College Chicago, where she studied at the Center for Book and Paper Arts, as well as an MA in Studio Arts from Northern Illinois University. Laudolff also studied oil and cold wax with Rebecca Crowell, and printmaking at both the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Anchor Graphics. In addition, she has attended various classes at Ox-Bow. Laudolff has taught at numerous venues in Illinois and has exhibited her work extensively. Her work is included in many private collections.

From Fleece to Fiber: Processing Local Wool by Hand

with Rachel Meyers Hefferan
July 25, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Tuition: $100
Materials Fee: $30

In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how raw, freshly shorn wool is transformed into usable fiber for knitting, weaving, and other textile practices. Working with bespoke, ethically sourced wool from Jacob and Icelandic sheep raised in Southwest Michigan, we’ll explore the early stages of fiber preparation while building an appreciation for place-based materials and slow craft. Demonstrations will cover brushing, hard carding, and introductory spinning techniques, and participants will receive guidance through the tactile process of cleaning, aligning, and drafting wool. Time will be structured between demonstration and open making, allowing participants to experiment, ask questions, and develop a feel for the fiber as it changes form. Participants can expect to leave the workshop with a small length of prepared natural fiber and a foundational understanding of how raw wool becomes knittable or weavable material. No prior fiber experience is required—curiosity and a willingness to work with your hands are all that’s needed.

Plan to bring: comfortable clothing you don’t mind getting a little fuzzy, and a tote or bag for carrying your finished fiber home. All wool and core materials will be provided.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Rachel Meyers Hefferan (she/her) is a textile artist and small-scale shepherd focused on sustainability in her art practice and lifestyle. Her artwork looks at microbial networks, connectivity, pattern, and fermentation, and most often takes the form of large-scale abstract weavings. Hefferan’s aim as a textile artist is to engage in holistic practice that brings natural and secondhand materials through the entirety of their life cycle without sacrificing aesthetics or color. She invites others into this practice through conversation, workshops, community, and other events. Hefferan holds an MFA in Studio Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and has been invited to lecture and/or lead workshops and demonstrations at the University of Michigan, SAIC, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, the Michigan League of Handweavers, and the Michigan Fiber Festival, among many others.

Pressless Prints: Hand-Stamped Designs

with Carolyn Ingram
July 25, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Tuition: $75
Materials Fee: $20

In this workshop, participants will design and create original images using hand-carved and found-object stamps, producing a series of layered prints on paper to take home. Demonstrations will cover basic stamp carving, inking techniques, pattern building, registration, and creative mark-making without the use of a printing press. The class will flow from experimental warm-ups to guided projects and open exploration, allowing time for iteration, collaboration, and individual image development.

Plan to bring: any personal imagery, sketches, or objects you’d like to incorporate into your printing.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Carolyn Ingram (she/her, they/them) is a printmaker living in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She received her BA in Studio Arts from Kalamazoo College and served as a postbaccalaureate printmaking resident at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. She is a part of Southwest Michigan Printmakers and has taught printmaking workshops at the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center. Ingram has been practicing printmaking for eight years, exploring traditional and modern methods. Her work has been shown at Michigan’s Crooked Tree Arts Center and was included in the Poets in Print broadside at the Kalamazoo Book Arts Center.

Fiber & Ice Dyeing

with Jen Schutmaat
July 25, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Tuition: $100
Materials Fee: $20

In this workshop, students will create at least one unique hand-dyed textile using ice and powdered pigments. Working with folding methods, color placement, and melt-based dye reactions, we’ll explore how ice dyeing differs from traditional immersion techniques and how unpredictability can lead to extraordinary results. We will begin with a short introduction to the ice-dyeing process. After looking at examples and exploring design possibilities, participants will practice folds and color layouts on paper before moving to fabric dyeing. We’ll end with a wash-out session and a small-group showcase of the work created.

Plan to bring: a notebook and colored pencils. One flag-sized piece of cotton will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring anything that is 100% cotton that you’d like to dye as well (T-shirts, pillowcases, etc.).

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Jen Schutmaat (she/her) has been involved with fiber dyeing for over 30 years. A native of Holland, Michigan, she has led dye workshops for various local groups and businesses, including Out On The Lakeshore and Bell’s Brewery. Her teaching journey has included working in early childhood special education, leading after-school elementary art enrichment, and teaching at a nature-based outdoor preschool.

Landscape Painting

with James Brandess
July 18, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Tuition: $100
Materials Fee: N/A

In these multilevel oil painting workshops, students will paint outdoors amid the historic Ox-Bow landscape in the medium of their choice. Instruction will focus on recognizing and then painting what we actually see. Through this process of learning to see, participants will create paintings that have veracity and strength. The workshop will include discussion of the tools and materials needed to set up and paint in any landscape you choose. Sign up for one or both of these three-hour morning painting workshops on the meadow alongside the lagoon.

Plan to bring: small gessoed canvases, flat bristle brushes, oil paints, 1 pint of odorless paint thinner, travel easel, drawing supplies (vine charcoal, pencil, white eraser, sketchbook), at least 3 empty tin cans, empty glass jar with lid, blue paper shop towels, 18-by-24-inch plexiglass palette, vinyl gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, and hat with visor.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

James Brandess (he/him) was born in Chicago. A graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he has been a longtime teacher at Ox-Bow. Saugatuck, Michigan, has been home to James Brandess Studios and Gallery, Inc., for over 30 years.

Natural Ink Making

with Elizabeth Schmuhl
July 18, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Tuition: $100
Materials Fee: $10

Create original paintings, bookmarks, and cards with freshly foraged, handmade inks—and gain some inspiration for future inky experiments! We’ll begin the day outside foraging for plants and other natural materials. You are also encouraged to bring plants or other materials from home; anything can be used to create ink! Next, we will learn the ink-making process using your found materials. Wrap up the day by experimenting with your fresh inks on different substrates.

Plan to bring: a notebook and anything natural from your home/garden that you’d like to try to make ink with. It is recommended that you dress for the weather and foraging, including wearing tall socks, long sleeves, and a hat. Ink-making materials will be provided. 

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Elizabeth Schmuhl (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist who creates work that explores nature, movement, and memory. She deeply investigates the natural world, its cycles, and entropy, all of which inform her work. Schmuhl is the author of Premonitions. She has also published The Four Seasons, a book of paintings created with natural ink from her centennial fruit farm in Benton Harbor, Michigan, and Fishes of the Great Lakes, containing paintings with natural inks made entirely from the Great Lake watershed and materials that surround it. Schmuhl has shared her work globally and holds an MFA and a BA from the University of Michigan. She has taught at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and elsewhere.

Creative Movement & Self-Exploration

with Ash Tree Crofoot
July 18, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Tuition: $100
Materials Fee: $10

This workshop introduces participants to the Tamalpa Life/Art Process, a movement-based expressive arts approach that weaves together creative movement, drawing, writing, and structured reflection to support personal insight and artistic growth. Through guided exercises, students will explore how body-based awareness can open new pathways for creativity, intuition, and self-expression. We’ll begin with grounding movement scores and sensory awareness practices on the meadow, attuning to breath, sensation, and personal imagery. From there, we’ll shift to drawing and creative writing prompts that translate movement-based experiences into visual and poetic form, followed by small-group collaborations and witnessing practices that invite deeper understanding. The workshop will close with reflective writing to integrate themes, metaphors, and discoveries that emerged throughout the process. This session is accessible to all levels—no dance or artmaking experience required. It emphasizes process, welcoming all abilities and encouraging a playful, exploratory mindset.

Plan to bring: layered clothing for outdoor movement, anything needed for comfort on the ground, water bottle, personal writing materials, and basic drawing or simple painting supplies. Oil pastels, newsprint, and yoga mats will be provided.

Ash Tree Crofoot (she/her) is a Registered Somatic Movement Therapist and Expressive Arts Practitioner. She holds advanced degrees in Body-Based Expressive Arts Therapy, Transpersonal Psychology, and Ecopsychology. She is a graduate of the internationally renowned Tamalpa Institute for movement-based expressive arts and is trained in the Somatic Experiencing model of nervous system–informed trauma resolution. Since 2010, she has worked in group settings and private practice, offering a unique blend of somatic psychology and expressive arts approaches to growth, healing, and creative development. She is a native Midwesterner, and the shores of West Michigan have been a place of annual pilgrimage and restoration for generations of her family. This summer, she is thrilled to offer her work in collaboration with this spirited place and its people.

New Beginnings in Writing

with Jack Ridl
July 18, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $150
Materials Fee: N/A

Jack Ridl believes that making art and writing generate realizations and valuable experiences that can happen no other way, and he brings to this workshop decades of experience in “de-threatening” the artmaking process. He hopes that you will leave at home any notions of departing Ox-Bow with something completed; instead, he will encourage you to start many things—written pieces, creative notions, seeds of ideas. He strives to create an instant community in which conversation throughout the day is stimulating, joyful, and worthwhile.

Plan to bring: writing utensils and paper or notebook and memorable tokens from your life that may inspire writing and collaboration.

Jack Ridl (he/him), Poet Laureate of Douglas, Michigan, is the author of books including All at Once and Saint Peter and the Goldfinch. His work has been recognized by the Foreword Reviews Gold Award for Poetry, the Society of Midland Authors Poetry Award, the Center for Book Arts chapbook award, and selection as best sports book of the year by the Institute for International Sport. Individual poems have been published in the Georgia Review, Poetry, Colorado Review, Rattle, North American Review, Prairie Schooner, Field, Poetry East, and elsewhere. Students at Hope College named him both Outstanding Professor and Favorite Professor, and in 1996, Carnegie Foundation/CASE named him Michigan Professor of the Year. More than 85 of his students have earned their MFAs, and over 100 are published; several have received first book awards. Every Thursday, he posts a monologue on YouTube as part of his video series The Sentimentalist.

Nature-Inspired Ceramic Tiles

with Ellie Stanislav
June 27, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $250
Materials Fee: $10

In this hands-on workshop, students will create clay relief tiles inspired by natural forms, learning how to translate a two-dimensional image into a sculptural composition. Working with a square or rectangular tile format, we’ll explore both low- and high-relief modeling to bring depth, texture, and movement to the surface. Students will learn key ceramic techniques, including slab rolling, image layout and composition, building forms in relief, and applying texture to enrich their design. We’ll begin with a brief introduction to historical and contemporary relief tile makers before moving into guided demonstrations and individual work time. The session will conclude with finishing steps and recommendations for drying and firing. Fired tiles can be picked up at Ox-Bow at a later date.

Plan to bring: reference images from nature—such as plants, animals, or landscapes—as well as any clay or modeling tools you enjoy using. All other materials will be provided.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Ellie Stanislav (she/her) is a ceramic artist based in West Michigan. She has received both a BFA in Studio Art and a BA from the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities at Michigan State University. Stanislav has been an artist-in-residence at the Stifel Fine Arts Center and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts. Her work has been shown throughout the region, most notably as part of the 2026 NCECA Annual Exhibition, Absence Takes Form, in Detroit.

Rainbow Fused-Glass Suncatchers

with Rachel E. Brace
June 27, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $250
Materials Fee: $30

Celebrate color, light, and queer joy in this beginner-friendly fused-glass workshop held in honor of Pride Month. Participants will design and create their own radiant rainbow suncatcher using a vibrant selection of transparent and opaque glass. We’ll cover the basics of cutting, shaping, and arranging glass, as well as an introduction to glass properties and kiln firing. This workshop welcomes participants of all identities and skill levels—no previous glass experience needed. Come explore in a playful, affirming space where creativity and community shine.

Plan to bring: water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and comfortable natural-fiber clothing suitable for a hotshop environment. All glassblowing tools and materials will be provided.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Rachel Brace (she/they) has been working with glass for over a decade. As a native Michigander, she has found inspiration for her glasswork in the beauty of the nature around her. She has worked at Ox-Bow for five years, currently serving as the Glass Studio Manager.

Sashiko Embroidery

with Mary Baggerman
June 27, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Tuition: $75
Materials Fee: $20

Sashiko is a type of hand stitching that originated in Japan. Used for mending and embellishment, it has a rich history of tradition and design. Today, many people are discovering it as part of the visible mending movement. Come and learn the basics of stitching, pattern transfer, and tools and techniques. We will be making several small pieces suitable for use as coasters, pincushions, or patches on clothing.

Plan to bring: a sketchbook and bits of fabric or thread from home (optional). All necessary materials will be provided.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Mary Baggerman (she/her) has lived in West Michigan all of her adult life. She loves living in the beautiful Great Lakes region, drawing inspiration from the natural world around her. She exhibits and teaches in Kalamazoo, Michigan, focusing primarily on fiber arts, including embroidery and quilting. Baggerman is currently on the faculty of the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, where she teaches creative embroidery.

​​Watercolor Walk: Painting Ox-Bow’s Landscape & History

with David Baker
June 27, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $200
Materials Fee: N/A

In this outdoor workshop, participants will explore Ox-Bow’s rich landscape and quirky architecture through on-site watercolor painting. Instructor David Baker will lead a guided tour of some of his favorite spots around campus—from the lagoon and Tallmadge Woods to the dunes and historic buildings—pausing to create quick studies and longer impressions along the way. Participants will learn simple observational techniques, watercolor fundamentals, and strategies for capturing light, color, and atmosphere in a changing environment. Whether you’re new to watercolor or looking to expand your plein air practice, this workshop offers a relaxed, engaging way to experience Ox-Bow’s beauty through paint. All levels are welcome; gentle guidance will be provided throughout.

Plan to bring: watercolor supplies, including watercolor paper and a set of Prismacolor pencils.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

David Baker (he/him) is a visual artist who specializes in poetic landscape painting, much of it done en plein air. His studio pieces are often reinterpretations of paintings done outdoors. His principal media are watercolor, oil, and charcoal. His subjects are magical discoveries made while walking the landscape near Lake Michigan and, in particular, the campus of Ox-Bow. Frequently, these paintings will suggest an ongoing series of pictures. A lifelong artist and teacher, Baker recently retired as Art Professor Emeritus from Southwestern Michigan College. He continues to teach at Ox-Bow, South Haven Center for the Arts, and Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, and he maintains a studio at the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph.

Summer Solstice Cyanotypes

with Kim Meyers Baas
June 20, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Tuition: $100
Materials Fee: $20

Celebrate the longest day of the year through a hands-on exploration of cyanotype, one of the oldest photographic printing processes. In this workshop, participants will learn to create deep-blue botanical prints on both paper and cloth using sunlight, found forms, and the natural environment as collaborators. We will work with techniques for arranging compositions, preparing surfaces, and exposing prints using UV light—embracing the way time, weather, and the intensity of the solstice sun shape each image. The workshop will conclude with a group review of finished prints on provided high-quality watercolor paper and 100% cotton rag fabric.

Plan to bring: small natural or flat objects that hold personal meaning, and wear clothing that can get messy. Additional botanicals and textural materials will be gathered from across the Ox-Bow grounds.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Kim Meyers Baas (she/her) is an artist, arts educator, and administrator whose practice explores family identity, equity in education, migration, and authentic voice. Her work is shaped by long-term engagement in public education settings in Michigan, in Chicago, and along the United States–Mexico border, collaborating with youth artists and communities since 1992. She currently serves as Fine Arts Coordinator for West Michigan’s Kentwood Public Schools, one of the most diverse school districts in the country. She also mentors art teachers through the Art21 Educators program and is an adjunct in the art department at Calvin University. Meyers Baas holds a BA in Visual Art from Loyola University Chicago and an MA in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is a lifelong learner at Ox-Bow, where teaching and learning alongside others feels inseparable from place, practice, and a sustained relationship with Lake Michigan.

Longleaf Pine Needle Basketry

with Mary Boyd
June 20, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuition: $150
Materials Fee: $30

In this workshop, students will learn the foundational techniques of coiled basketry while creating a small basket from longleaf pine needles. Beginning with a prepared wooden or stone center, we’ll explore how to start a coil, build walls using the spiral stitch, and incorporate beads with the mariposa stitch to add texture and detail. Through demonstration and individualized guidance, students will practice shaping, binding, and tapering their final coil to create a smooth, finished edge. Along the way, we’ll discuss the history and traditions of natural-fiber basketry and how contemporary makers continue to evolve the form.

Plan to bring: a small pair of sharp scissors, a hand towel, and needle-nose pliers if available. Other materials—including pine needles, waxed thread, a prepared center, beads, and sewing needles—will be provided.

Location: Main Campus - 3435 Rupprecht Way, Saugatuck, MI 49453

Mary Boyd (she/her) is a natural fiber artist living in Saugatuck, Michigan. She creates functional and sculptural pieces using longleaf pine needles and stones from around the world, also incorporating natural fibers and ceramics. Boyd is self-taught; she developed her skills and techniques through years of practice, experimentation, and collaboration with fellow pine needle artists, after being introduced to the art in an afternoon workshop. She is now a full-time artist, following a career as a chemistry professor and university administrator. She also serves as an administrator for an international group of 10,000 pine needle artists on social media.