About Us

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.

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.

Oliver Art Center Offers…

Education
- High quality classes and workshops offered year-round in a variety of media, including
•    Ceramics & Sculpture
•    Painting
•    Collage
•    Pastel
•    Textile Arts
•   Culinary Arts
•  Wellness Classes
- Children’s classes offered year-round in subjects such as drawing, sculpture, calligraphy, & painting
- Outreach programs in the schools
- Scholarships

Exhibitions
•    Annual all media juried competition and exhibition
•    Featured Artist gallery shows
•    Annual  Student Art Show
•    Performances of music, poetry readings and lectures
•    Downtown Frankfort Art Walk

Special Artist Services
•    Open studio each Wednesday year round
•    Member Library