Ways to Heal Along the Art Coast®
Did you know that exploring your creativity is a scientifically proven way to reduce stress and anxiety? Or that working with horses can help rebuild trust and support recovery from past trauma? When you visit the Art Coast, you’ll find countless opportunities to heal—through creative expression, connection with nature, and meaningful experiences.
Study Art in a Natural Setting
Taking a class at Ox-Bow School of Art combines the therapeutic power of art and nature. Nestled in Tallmadge Woods and overlooking the Ox-Bow Lagoon, the school offers year-round residencies and week-long classes in painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, glass, ceramics, and more. Ox-Bow’s “Art on the Meadow” workshops (many of which are outdoors) range from half-day experiences to four-day intensives, covering activities like candle making, fabric marbling, and plein-air painting.
If you’re looking for a shorter commitment, check out Saugatuck’s two-hour Waterfront Watercolor Workshop, facilitated by a professional artist. Whether you’re brushing up on your skills or want to try something new, enjoy a relaxing experience painting local scenery. You can also explore your creativity at the Express Yourself Art Barn, painting pottery, making mosaics, or fusing glass, or at Saugatuck Center for the Arts, which offers adult classes in pursuits such as sculpting, weaving, floral arranging, and crocheting.
Plant a Healing Garden
Plants are nature’s miracle-workers. Simply being around them can reduce cortisol levels, heart rate, and blood pressure. Tending to plants is a mindful practice that cultivates inner peace. At Puddingstone—a charming boutique offering hand-crafted terracotta pottery, glassware, ceramics, and plants—you can participate in workshops on kokedama, a Japanese moss-ball gardening method in the bonsai tradition. Enjoy a peaceful evening in their botanical studio and leave with your own self-sustaining planter.
Shine Your Own Light
At Garsnett Beacon Candle Company, you can immerse yourself in a scent-driven experience by creating your own candle. With over 100 fragrance options—from bright and citrusy to woodsy and earthy—you’ll explore the principles of aromatherapy as you mix a custom scent to boost your mood, clear your mind, or help you relax. Select a vessel, pour the wax, and bring home a candle that adds calming ambiance to your space.
Experience the Healing Power of Horses
Horses might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about mental health, but their innate sensitivity often touches people deeply. At Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership, nature, horses, art, and experiential learning come together in individual healing sessions and team-based workshops focused on wellness, leadership, and personal growth. Whether you choose one-on-one time with a horse or participate in a group session on trauma, leadership, or expanding your worldview, the experience can be deeply grounding and transformative.
If a casual ride through the woods is more your speed, head down to Allegan for a private horseback riding experience at Wild West Ranch. During this low-key trail ride, you’ll see plenty of wildlife and lush forest landscapes to help you connect with the healing power of nature.
Commune with Nature
Sometimes, a simple walk in the woods is all you need to start the healing process. With acres of pine forest trails and dunes to explore, you’ll have ample opportunity to take in the healing sights and sounds of the forest while practicing the therapeutic art of Japanese “forest bathing.” Head over to Saugatuck Dunes State Park for a hike out to the beach or explore the wetlands of Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area.
