Oliver Art Center

Located on the shores of Betsie Bay in downtown Frankfort Michigan, the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts (Oliver Art Center) is housed in a LEED Platinum certified historic Coast Guard station that dates back to 1934. The Oliver Art Center features 10,000 square feet of gallery space, classrooms, gift shop, and studios. Free admission seven days a week draws over 10,000 visitors annually.

The Oliver Art Center was founded in 1948 and is now a vital arts and culture resource for northwest Michigan. We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit led by an all-volunteer Board, four staff, and many dedicated volunteers. We host ten special artists' exhibitions each year in our beautiful Beck and Borwell galleries, and additional exhibits are highlighted in our Fisher Room and North Hall.

We serve community members all ages and backgrounds by hosting art exhibitions and classes throughout the year. We also support over 150 artists throughout the state of Michigan through the sales and display of their work in our galleries and gift shop.

With over 100 classes and workshops in all types of media each year, there is a creative outlet for everyone at the Oliver. Classes in ceramics, painting, fiber arts, printmaking, basketry, batik, pastels, photography, literary arts, cooking, and so much more are available year-round. In the summer, we host our annual Art Camp for kids 8-12, a Clay Camp, and a Cooking Camp for creative kids.

Our Creative Resource Space is a free-to-all crafting space that is open year-round and is stocked with all kinds of arts and crafts supplies, books, games, and activities for youth. This community resource is open to all any time the OAC is open.

Special events such as gallery exhibits, concerts, an art fair, artists’ talks, receptions, and open houses are held year-round.