Ox-Bow School of Craft
Ox-Bow is located on a peaceful peninsula in Saugatuck, Michigan, nestled along the Kalamazoo River between Kalamazoo Lake and Lake Michigan. The campus is forested and serene, with winding dirt paths connecting studio buildings and artist housing. Studio spaces on site include facilities for glassblowing, painting and drawing, printmaking and photography, fibers, metals, and of course, ceramics.
I met with Ox-Bow’s Campus Director, Claire Arctander, who kindly gave me a tour of the campus. They were in the process of closing down for the winter during my visit, so there were only about ten people on site, working to put the campus to bed for the season. But during the summer, Ox-Bow transforms into a lively and bustling environment with over 200 people, mostly students—the central focus of the school.
Ox-Bow offers two residency types, each with a distinct atmosphere:
The Summer Residency is more self-directed, allowing residents to set their own pace outside of shared mealtimes (meals are served communally in the dining hall).
The Fall Residency is a longer, structured program, with a strong emphasis on community-building, shared experiences, and a more scheduled daily routine.
Residency Studios & Facilities:
The private ceramic workspaces are quite minimal—bare rooms without much shelving or table space. Pottery wheels are available to borrow but are not included by default. These private spaces are located a short walk from the main ceramic studio, so residents will need to transport their work by hand to the kilns. While residents can work in the communal studio, priority is given to students and class use during the summer.
That said, the kilns are in great condition, and the glaze lab is clean, organized, and well-stocked. Residents are also encouraged to explore cross-disciplinary work using other media studios on campus.
Campus & Culture:
Walking around Ox-Bow felt like visiting an artist summer camp. The housing is simple yet comfortable, with no private kitchens since all meals are shared in the dining hall. A bonfire is often lit in the evenings near the river—offering a chance to unwind, connect, and reflect with others in the community.
There’s a strong spirit of learning and growth here. Everyone on campus—students, faculty, residents—is deeply invested in developing their artistic practice in a nurturing, communal environment. During my drive in (and again on the way out), I spotted at least ten deer quietly roaming the property, adding to the peaceful, nature-immersed atmosphere.
Overall Impression:
Ox-Bow is an ideal residency for artists seeking immersion in a larger creative ecosystem, where learning, collaboration, and community are core values. Artists who enjoy rustic, nature-filled environments and the energy of a summer camp-like atmosphere will likely find this experience both creatively stimulating and personally fulfilling.
