Summer 2008


Ox-Bow will kick off its 98th season with many new exciting developments. This summer we are happy to inaugurate two new buildings. Located behind the Marshall, along Dilly Drive, The Janie Dormitory will house 9 additional students during our Summer and Winter programs, as well as Artists in Residence during the Fall months. Additionally, Ox-Bow will open the new Metternich Lodge, which is located on the meadow, to its very first Visiting Artists and Artists in Residence this summer. We are also pleased to welcome Ox-Bow’s Executive Director, Jason Kalajainen, on campus to live and work in the Metternich Lodge. Kalajainen will live throughout the programmatic seasons as the steward of the campus. The Lodge will also house two living spaces for Visiting Artists and Artists in Residence. The two newest building additions on campus will enrich the programmatic aspects of the Ox-Bow program, while complementing both the architectural and environmental aesthetics of the campus.

In Program news, Ox-Bow has a number of exciting projects at work on campus this summer. With new courses in sound, site-specific, woodworking, and more, we expect to see some amazing new work coming out the studios. Check our new video/audio podcast page t throughout the summer to see some of the exciting work produced in these classes, as well as interviews with our stellar line-up of Artists in Residence, Faculty, Visiting Artists, and Fellows!

New Director of Development


Ox-Bow is also pleased to have Paula MacNicholas joining the Administrative staff as the new Director of Development. Paula comes to Ox-Bow from the Girl Scouts of the USA, where she was the Vice President of Administration and Special Campaigns. She has over ten years of successful experience in building relationships and fostering a community of support. Paula is joining Ox-Bow at a perfect time in our Capital Campaign and will be working to ensure Ox-Bow’s second century. With the Centennial Celebration fast approaching, it’s an ideal time for Paula to join us!

Capital Campaign


On July 7th at its annual Summer Benefit, Ox-Bow, school of art and artists’ residency announced its plans for the 2010 Centennial Celebration and for the Campaign for the Second Century. In 2010 Ox-Bow will celebrate its 100th year of serving as one of the nation’s preeminent schools of art and artists’ residencies in the country. As part of the festivities, Ox-Bow will be collaborating with several community organizations over the next three years to share Ox-Bow’s rich history and artistic legacy.

In order to ensure that Ox-Bow’s legacy of high quality art instruction and exploration continues, we have launched the Campaign for the Second Century, a three-year effort to raise the profile of and necessary funds for Ox-Bow to thrive well into the future. The funds will be used to improve Ox-Bow’s facilities through a variety of capital projects, with additional funds dedicated to Ox-Bow’s endowment. The endowment is an essential component in ensuring Ox-Bow’s future success in that it provides resources for scholarships, building restoration, program initiatives, and preserving the amazing landscape that has inspired the artists and students that have created at Ox-Bow over the last 100 years.

To donate to Ox-Bow’s Capital Campaign, click here. To learn more about Ox-Bow’s Capital Campaign, click here.

Art on the Meadow


This year, Ox-Bow will bring you two great options for programming at once! We are now taking enrollment for both the summer and fall seasons of Art on the Meadow! Click here to learn more about both programs.

Summer Program


This year, we’re offering a variety of new courses to freshen up our roster of classes, as well as to build on courses we’ve offered in the past. We’ve also brought back an exciting line-up of Ox-Bow favorites that make use of our fantastic environment. Artists as young as 8 can start building their portfolios, and adults can start expanding their practice in a wide array of studio areas. Jump into artmaking this summer!

Fall Program


Fall on the Ox-Bow campus is unparalleled in its beauty. Join us this year for a weekend workshop or one of our weekly courses. Ox-Bow’s weekend workshops are a fantastic convergence of Ox-Bow’s summer intensives and the popular Art on the Meadow programs. These workshops are short enough to fit most busy schedules, but also maximize your time on campus by allowing students and faculty to work intently for concentrated periods. The weekly courses are ideal for local community members who want to take a break from the busy work week and escape to the protective campus of Ox-Bow. This year, Ox-Bow will focus on artmaking in West Michigan, in particular, offering classes taught by Saugatuck local artists like Dawn Stafford, James Brandess, and Mae Van Ark, and highlighting artists from Grand Rapids during the FOCUS: Grand Rapids intensive weekend.

Events


Summer Benefit Art Auction


Saturday, July 12, 2008
6:00-10:00 pm (Eastern time)
Ox-Bow Campus, Saugatuck, Michigan

The legendary Summer Benefit returns to the Ox-Bow campus for another fantastic evening of good conversation, outstanding nature, and spirited bidding. Now one of the highlights of the summer season, the Ox-Bow Summer Benefit showcases the artwork of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends in live and silent auctions. The Summer Benefit is a fantastic opportunity to support Ox-Bow, while adding to your own art collection. With over 100 pieces of art, from paintings and prints to glass and ceramics, guests will have trouble deciding which pieces to bid on! Competition is fierce at this sell-out event, so purchase tickets early and come ready to bid!

For more information, please call 312.629.6159

To see images from the 2007 Summer Benefit, click here.

Ox-Bow Friday Night Open Studios


SELECT FRIDAYS starting June 20 through August 15 including, Friday June 20, July 18, August 1, August 15. From 7:30-10:00 pm.

Join on select Fridays when students, fellows, and Professional Artists in Residence from the preceding week mount an exhibit of their work. The work on display comes from a variety of media, including painting, drawing, ceramics, metals, papermaking, printmaking and glass. Ox-Bow’s Friday Night Open Studios also feature an artistic demonstration. Past demos have included papermaking in the lagoon, glassblowing and casting, and collaborative demonstrations between studios like Print and Metals, or Glass and Metals.

Attendees are also encouraged to visit the Ox-Bow Gallery (located in the Inn) to view the current show by the Ox-Bow staff and fellows. The Friday Night Open Studios are a terrific opportunity to experience Ox-Bow’s unique history as one of the oldest, still operational summer schools of art in the nation.

Additionally, guests are treated to a live auction of student, staff, and faculty work. This is a great opportunity to support emerging artists, while building your collection!

Ox-Bow invites all guests to carpool or ride our free shuttle to the Friday Night Open Studios. More details will be available as the summer approaches.

For more information, call 269.857.5811 (after June 1).