About Ox-Bow

For over a century Ox-Bow has provided artists with a temporary community that fosters growth and learning. Founded in 1910 as The Summer School for Painting, we have continued the tradition of studying the visual arts in nature, expanding our offerings to include short and long term residencies, family workshops, fellowships, and public programs that invite our neighbors to share our campus. We are a unique and versatile organization that blends the roles of a school and an artist residency, serving as a dynamic space where artists in all stages of their careers can engage in both structured education and independent practice.

For artists at of any stage of their artistic journey, there are several ways to immerse yourself in our community: 

  • Our academic courses provide 1 and 2-week opportunities for those who wish to dive deeper into their artistic development. These for- or non-credit courses allow participants to explore specific techniques or concepts in a focused, pedagogical setting in painting & drawing, ceramics, glass, metals, printmedia, paper-making, or a range of special topics from performance to photography. 

  • Art on the Meadow workshops are designed for individuals seeking short-term, hands-on learning experiences, ranging from one-day sessions to more immersive multi-day workshops, offering a variety of options based on your interests and goals. These intergenerational creative experiences are a perfect fit for the whole family. 

  • For those looking to expand their practice, Ox-Bow offers a variety of residency programs ranging from a few days to 3-weeks, self-directed to mentored, and cross-disciplinary to special topics. 

Whether you're just starting out or are an experienced artist looking to push your boundaries, Ox-Bow is committed to fostering your sense of play and experimentation. The combination of educational opportunities and residency programs makes it a supportive environment for anyone eager to explore, experiment, and expand their artistic horizons.

How it all began…

It all started with Art Institute of Chicago student, Elizabeth (Bessie) Bandle. Who invited her professors and fellow students to paint at her family’s bed and breakfast. Over several summers, two painters, Frederick Fursman and Walter Clute, emerged as dedicated teachers, enamored with the West Michigan light, and eager to build up a summer school teaching plein air painting.  After discovering the Riverside Hotel (aka Shriver Inn) on an afternoon hike, Fursman and Clute began renting, and eventually buying, the property Ox-Bow has called home since 1914.

Notable Figures throughout our history

Walter Marshall Clute & Frederick Fursman
Two of the original guests at the Bandle Farm, Clute and Fursman eventually became the official founders of Ox-Bow. In 1914, the School moved its entire operation to the Riverside Hotel—which soon became known as the Ox-Bow Inn.

Thomas Eddy Tallmadge
A renowned architect from the Chicago area, Thomas Eddy Tallmadge left a lasting impact on our campus. Not only did he donate his stunning prairie-style cabin to Ox-Bow, he also purchased and donated several acres of land, now known as the Tallmadge Woods.

Elsa Ulbricht
Elsa Ulbricht set down deep roots at Ox-Bow after studying painting here from the very beginning. She joined the board in 1924 and became board president in 1940. She was the director of the school from 1947–1958 and again in 1964. Ulbricht not only created deep ties between Ox-Bow and Wisconsin, she also introduced craft to Ox-Bow’s curriculum in 1942. Initially bringing in weaving, ceramics, and small metals to campus, Ulbricht integrated craft with traditional fine art media, challenging the media hierarchy, and creating a culture at Ox-Bow of equally valuing the full range of studio media. 

Elizabeth “Betsy” Rupprecht
Daughter of two modernist painters and early Ox-Bow faculty—Isobel Steele MacKinnon and Edgar Rupprecht— Betsy has been a part of Ox-Bow since its earliest years when she came here as a toddler. In 1954 at age 21, Rupprecht inherited her fathers 14% stock in the school after her father passed and at 26, became the director of the school in 1958, serving for 5 years. Rupprecht would remain with Ox-Bow for her entire life, ultimately serving on the board for 49 years. She played an instrumental role in solidifying Ox-Bow’s ongoing partnership with the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where she followed in her parent’s footsteps and taught painting.

John W. Norton
Renowned Chicago muralist and early member of the Cliff Dwellers, John W. Norton was a close friend of Thomas Eddy Tallmadge and eventually built his own Tallmadge-designed family cabin on campus, located behind Tallmadge’s. Remnants of Norton’s artwork can be found inside the cabin where family and friends painted on the walls, and someone, possibly Edgar Miller, even carved into the beams.