About us

In 1983, a group of people interested in promoting arts and crafts in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan purchased a 100-year-old building to serve as a center for meeting and to display artwork created by those living in and around the village of Garden. In 1985, Village Artisans of Garden opened the Garden Gallery.  

The Village Artisans, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed in 1983 in Garden, Michigan, to bring together artists and art enthusiasts in our community. Throughout its history the organization has sponsored art classes, workshops, music and drama productions, lectures, demonstrations, and adult enrichment programs. The Village Artisans hold a yearly raffle -- and in recent years a salad luncheon and tours -- to raise funds to provide summer art and drama classes for the community's children. 

The Village Artisans is located between Escanaba and Manistique, eight miles south of US2. Turn south at Garden Corners on highway M183. Tax deductible contributions can be sent to the Village Artisans, Inc., P.O. Box 81, Garden, MI 49835.

In 1985 the Village Artisans created the Garden Gallery to display the works of the many artists in the area. In the Gallery, the public may appreciate and purchase art and craft pieces. Fine examples of painting, photography, jewelry, pottery, weaving, metal work, candle making, wood turning, fabric creations, woodcarving, glass blowing, stained glass, and basketry are on display. 

In 1991, the 100-year-old building which had served the Village Artisans since its inception was demolished and a replica was constructed in its place. 

The Garden Gallery is open Memorial Day weekend through October 31st, Mondays through Saturdays 10:00am to 5:00pm, and Sundays noon to 5:00pm. New consignors in the region are welcome.  Contact the Gallery at 906-644-2025.

The Village Artisans, Inc. in 1991 incorporated as a non-profit corporation operating exclusively for charitable  and educational puroses.  The Village Artisans is organized upon a directorship basis.  The current 11 volunteer directors on the Board are: Sara Bagley, Kathy Bates, Ruth Craig, Janet Feenstra-Daasch, Marlene Winter-Johnson, Lorelei McRoberts, Pat Rasmussen,Ginny Smith, Missy Smith, Lael Thelander, and Pat Yaeger.  Nancy Komu is an honorary Board Member with years of service to the organization.

 Pat yaeger is a retired R.N. who moved to the Garden area in 2004.  She enjoys the lake at her home near Portage Bay Campgrounds as does her husband, Clarence who spends his time hunting and golfing. She has a son and daughter and four grandchldren.  She is an avid reader and enjoys her flower garden in the midst of a deer infested forest. Pat enjoys walking and biking and spending time with the grandchildren. She is the past Vice President of the Village Artisans and is head of the building committee of the Village Artisans.

Janet Feenstra Daasch is sister to Pat Yaeger. She also loves her spot on Lake Michigan near Portage Bay Campgrounds.  She is mother of two daughters, has two grandsons and one granddaughter. She is a retired teacher and therapist.  Just recently married, her spouse Larry lives in St. Paul and both make many 8 hour trips to see each other.  She is the past President of the Village Artisans and is currently the Vice President.

Marlene Winter-Johnson, born and raised in Garden, retired here with her husband Larry an editor and author.  Marlene spent over 40 years in the educational field. They have one daughter and grand daughter. Marlene is currently Secretary of the Village Artisans.

Sara Bagely has taught art at both the elementary and secondary levels in public schools in southern Michigan.  She has also enjoyed showing and selling her work in galleries, competions, and art fairs.  Volunteering continues to be an integral part of her life today as she and her husband retire on  the beautiful Garden peninsula.

Missy Smith is the President of the Village Artisans.  She taught art K-12 for 14 years in the East Lansing School District. She substitute taught at Big Bay Du Noc and Manistique Public Schools. Missy has retail sales experience and owned a small gift shop in Garden.  Today she and her husband sell real estate on the Garden Peninsula.  Missy is mother of 6, grandmother of 6, and great grandmother of 1.

Ruth Craig is a happy newcomer to the Garden Peninsula. She and her husband, Stuart, are year-round residents of this lovely area. One of her greatest joys was to discover the great abundance of talented artisans of all media in the Upper Peninsula. Ruth's background is in education, but she has been surrounded by art her entire life, having come from a family of artists and having daughters who are artists, so she feels fortunate to still be surrounded by art through the Village Artisans.  Ruth enjoys traveling with her husband, baking, hiking, drawing, knitting, reading, nature and sharing all the joys of life with her wonderful grandchildren as often as she can.

Kathy Bates and her husband, Fred, moved to Garden in 2006. They are long time sailors and have memories of a sail to Fayette back in the '80's. Now they keep their boat on a mooring in Garden Bay during the Summer and sails to Fayette are much shorter. She is retired from a career of teaching business courses at the technical college level.  A current member and past board member of the Wisconsin Handweavers Guild, Kathy is the current Treasurer of Village Artisans.

Lael (Rasmussen) Thelander grew up in Garden, attending grade school, graduating from Big Bay de Noc High School and from Suomi College.  A year after being married, Lael moved to Indiana because of her husband's (Charlie) work for Enbridge Pipeline.  Six moves within four states and 33 years later, Charlie retired and Lael is now back "home".  She has two children: Heather (also a consignor with the Garden Gallery), who is married and has 3 boys.  Chad, who spent 10 years in the Air Force is now engaged.

Working with fabrics has always been a part of Lael's life from the day her Mother taught her to sew and her Grandmother taught her to knit and crochet.  She was a 4-H member through school and taught 4-H when her kids were members.  She has done alterations, custom sewing, quilting, and freelance sewing for American Girl as well as knitting and crocheting items to donate to organizations.  If not working with fabrics, she works with stained glass, ceramics, basket weaving, and wheat weaving.  For the present, you will find her sewing or working with stained glass.

She has been a consignor with the Garden Gallery since they opened their doors. Now that she and Charlie are back on the Garden Peninsula, she is the Manager of the Gallery.