An Art-Filled Weekend Along the Art Coast®
Saugatuck/Douglas is known as the Art Coast of Michigan for good reason. From eclectic galleries tucked into charming streets to public art that surprises around every corner, this is a place where creativity abounds and art isn’t just something you see—it’s something you experience.
If there’s one weekend in the fall that art lovers can’t miss, it’s during our annual Fall Gallery Stroll, happening this year on October 11–12. Now in its 49th year, this premier event invites visitors to wander through dozens of galleries and studios as they open their doors to showcase acclaimed local, regional, and national works of art, ranging from paintings and hand-blown glass to sculptures crafted from found materials. But this event is about much more than just viewing art; it’s also about getting the opportunity to chat with featured artists, watch live demonstrations, enjoy live music, sample local bites, and get swept up in the spirit of collaboration and creativity.
And just when you think the weekend couldn’t get any more inspiring, a brand-new public art experience will also be debuting: Jeffrey Augustine Songco’s Flower World installation in Cook Park. This striking collection of oversized, whimsical floral sculptures transforms the park into a dreamlike landscape that can be explored day or night, offering a magical experience that will remain in place through April 2026.
For years, Cook Park was anchored by a beautiful willow tree, its long, flowing branches providing a serene spot to relax, reflect, and enjoy the park’s peaceful surroundings. When the tree was taken down, it left an empty space that the community immediately felt. Now, that space has been reimagined with Flower World, which fills the park with color, light, and imagination. Each sculpture, standing up to 12 feet tall, is crafted from powder-coated steel and accented with LED strips, creating a fantastical garden visitors can wander through, interact with, and photograph.
The creative force behind this immersive installation, Jeffrey Augustine Songco, is a Michigan-based multidisciplinary artist whose work reflects his personal journey as a Filipino-American and member of the LGBTQ community. Songco draws on his own experiences to create art that is both deeply personal and universally engaging, all rooted in themes of growth, transformation, and our connection to the spaces around us.
In partnership with Saugatuck Center for the Arts, this project is part of the Saugatuck/Douglas Area Convention & Visitors Bureau’s ongoing effort to enhance public spaces through art. A special event to officially unveil Flower World is planned for the evening of October 11, from 6-8 pm, inviting community members, media, and visitors to experience the installation firsthand. Guests can look forward to cider and donuts from Crane’s Pie Pantry Restaurant, signature cocktails from The Butler, and music from a DJ, all set against the glow of new portable fire pits for added warmth and ambiance. The evening will also feature dazzling entertainment, from fire eaters and flame throwers to jugglers and whimsical light-up balloon art. It’s the perfect way to end a day after the Fall Gallery Stroll and see Flower World come alive in its enchanting nighttime display.
