Gwen Frostic by Janet Pickel

“Here lies one doubly blessed. She was happy and she knew it.”
-Gwen Frostic

Bridge Michigan shares that the riverside studio of legendary Michigan artist Gwen Frostic is for sale:

…that studio — a full, 21,000-square-foot production facility, retail center and warehouse for Presscraft Papers, as well as her former residence — is for sale.

But the listing is for more than the real estate on 12 acres: The $1.9 million price also includes the 2,200 linoleum blocks and 15 Heidelberg presses that turned Frostic’s designs of raccoons, fawns, cardinals and flowers into some of the most recognizable Michigan-based art.

The buyer will acquire an iconic piece of northern Michigan, said Michelle Barefoot, marketing director at the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce. The property was added to the National Registry of Historic Places in 2021. 

More in Bridge. Janet took this photo back in 2015 & had a great writeup:

Gwen Frostic was a Michigan artist based in Benzie county. This is her studio where she made and sold her art which was based on the flora and fauna found in this part of Michigan. Her studio made of wood and stone with grass on the roof is very naturalistic. This is the entrance.

Over the years Gwen had been awarded honorary degrees from many colleges and universities. In 1978 Michigan Governor William Milliken proclaimed May 23rd as Gwen Frostic Day in Michigan, and in 1986 she was inducted into the Michigan Woman’s Hall of Fame.

Long before her death she wrote her epitaph: “Here lies one doubly blessed. She was happy and she knew it.”

See Janet’s latest on her Flickr & learn more about Gwen Frostic and her studio on their website.