Oliver Art Center

The purpose of the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts is to establish and maintain an educational program and facility for the advancement of the arts. The Art Center also works to promote and develop the visual, performing, culinary, and literary arts in Benzie County and the surrounding area.

Oliver Art Center Offers…

Education
High quality classes and workshops for adults, youth, and families are offered year-round in a variety of media, including clay and ceramics, painting, collage, drawing, pastel, textile arts, culinary arts, fiber arts, writing fiction and poetry, editing, and wellness arts.

Outreach programs in the schools
, including the MOSAIC program, as well as scholarships for youth and adolescents to help ensure that Oliver Art Center’s serves its entire community.

Exhibitions
Oliver Art Center hosts approximately 10 exhibitions annually, including special exhibitions. The Annual All-media Juried Exhibition and Annual Student Exhibition consistently engage our community. Two member shows per year keep everyone connected and learning about the best our membership has to offer. Featured artist shows in summer months bring artists from across the country, along with fresh ideas, inspiration, and connections for local artists.

Events
A wide variety of events are free to the public, year-round. These include exhibition opening receptions, artist talks, the June open house with hands-on activities and compelling discussions. Ticketed events include performances held in partnership with Chamber Music North, as well as theme and holiday parties in spring and winter.

Special Artist Services
An open studio is made available each Wednesday year-round. Participants are strongly encouraged to become members and to contribute a $2 per visit donation.
Oliver Art Center also maintains an impressive collection of artist books, monographs, and catalogs in its library. This is a great place to quietly reflect on art history or find new inspiration.

Cultural, historical, and arts tourism are incredibly important to Frankfort’s economy. The Oliver Art Center is now established as the primary community art center and cultural organization in Benzie County and has become one of the most active and promising art facilities in Northwest Michigan. It has enriched the region with a lively venue and program of arts and events. Given the Center’s location, it also acts as a premier event rental facility that attracts and anchors tourism for down town businesses including adjacent hotels, restaurants, and shops.