By Barbara K. Stump, MA
If you’re from Michigan, and even if you’re not, have heard of Gwen Frostic? Gwen Frostic was an American artist, entrepreneur, author, and a Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee. She was one of nine children, and at an early age she contracted polio. In spite of doctors predicting she would never walk, talk, or write, she persevered and built an incredible life filled with creativity and resilience. She had a belief that art and nature belonged together, and in her fifties she moved to a small town in northern Michigan where she found daily inspiration for her own artwork. It was there that she steadfastly carved her original creations into linoleum blocks and printed these designs to make one of a kind stationary and artwork that became her legacy in the world. She became so successful that when she passed away, Gwen Frostic left a $13 million gift to Western Michigan University to support their students. To honor her legacy, Western Michigan University named their school of art after her, The Gwen Frostic School of Art.
On a rainy day last week, I had a chance to revisit her art studio in Benzonia, Michigan, along the Bestie River. The last time I was there, I was a college student and my mom suggested we spend a day together exploring Frostic’s studio. I need to note that her studio was recently bought by two sisters, Amy and Sarah Blessing, who are working on reviving the grounds and the building space. In their words, “We want this place to feel exactly as she intended: a sanctuary where nature, art, and community meet.” On my latest trip, it truly did feel that way. It’s been years since my mother passed away, but being in that space again brought a sense of joy and gratitude for me. Here are a few pictures of what the studio currently looks like today.
Interestingly, after sharing my visit with friends, a couple of my friends shared their own experience of going to Gwen Frostic’s studio with their own mothers. One friend also shared that every year at Christmas she would be gifted Gwen Frostic printed cards. A couple of other friends wanted to know where it was because they would also like to visit this time treasured studio. For your own reference, it is about 30-40 minutes southwest from Traverse City, Michigan, and it is open 7 days a week from 10:00am- 5:00pm. There are many items you can purchase for yourself, as well as gifts for others, including large frameable prints, greeting cards, stationary, books filled with her block prints along with her poems and interesting words, stickers, coloring books, and even needlepoint kits of her creations for you to make on your own. Here are my purchases from the day.
When you think about how Gwen Frostic rose above her battle with polio at a young age, and all that she was able to accomplish in her lifetime, it is quite amazing. She really was an incredible person and extremely resilient. Surrounding herself in nature is something that kept her going her entire life. It was there that she found countless forms of wildlife that she used as inspiration for her artwork. She also lived to be 95 years old. I can only imagine that the time she spent appreciating nature through her artwork must have been not only rewarding, but probably sustained her through difficult times. In a February 2026, Psychology Today article, titled, Wild Resilience: Fostering Strength Through Nature, written by Jaimie L. Lusk, Psy.D., ABPP, she cites the positive effects nature can have upon our health. Lusk shared a systematic review finding that stated, “Time in nature is linked to lower stress, improved mood, and better health outcomes—including reduced neurological and cancer-related risks (Twohig-Bennett & Jones, 2018).”
What is there not to love about spending time in nature? Breathing in fresh air and watching wildlife is deeply uplifting. Looking back, I realize my mom knew exactly what she was doing when she planned this outing for the two of us. It was a memorable day for so many reasons, but most of all, I now see how she showed her love by fostering one of my passions. I was so fortunate, and I know not everyone has a person like that in their lives. I miss her tremendously, but going to the studio even by myself was worthwhile. I cannot wait to return, and maybe the next time I go I will bring another family member, or friends. If you are planning a trip to Northern Michigan this year, this is a wonderful excursion to fit into your itinerary— especially on a rainy day. Slowing down to see the beauty she found in nature, and watching her artwork actually come to life on the printing press right in front of you, is a truly noteworthy experience.
I will leave you with a quote found on the back of a printed card from the studio. The front of the card features a photograph of Gwen Frostic working diligently, carving a design into a linoleum block for a future print.
“My aim is to bring you the wind in the trees or the very first violet of spring, a bit of serenity that exists in this world. I hope after reading or hearing the news at the end of the day you may feel that loveliness is still in this world. Man must live with nature and cannot separate himself from it…he is an integral part of the whole.”- Gwen Frostic