Be inspired.  

This is Mackinac. 

Nowhere else does such a rare and exceptional collection of Mackinac-related art and photography come together to tell Mackinac’s story.

In complement to the natural beauty of Mackinac Island, The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum allows visitors to experience fine and decorative arts inspired by Mackinac through the ages.

One of the most diverse art museums in the region, the museum’s collection offers no shortage of beauty and history – from hand-beaded Native American garments and 17th and 18th-century maps of the Great Lakes, to one-of-a-kind pieces from the height of Mackinac Island’s Victorian era.

Original photographs from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century present the beauty of Mackinac as captured by the camera’s eye. Featured are the works of William H. Gardiner, including dozens of his famed early-twentieth century hand-tinted views.

Highlights

Exhibits

Fine and decorative arts related to Mackinac are presented in four long-term exhibits. The first floor main gallery contains works depicting views of Mackinac from the early 19^th to the late 20^th century. Two smaller galleries feature decorative and Native American Art. Mackinac photography from the permanent collection is featured on the second floor, as well as a gallery dedicated to Great Lakes maps. Audiovisual presentations provide deeper exploration of some of the prominent works.

Live Programs

Live programs take place at The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum daily Memorial Day through August.

11:30 a.m. Kids’ Time – Make a Craft!
Mackinac has inspired artists for generations – now it’s time to let it inspire your little one! An art attendant will present a craft centered around a daily theme – turtles, horses, boats, lilacs, history, and more. 

1:30 p.m. The Photography of William Gardiner
William Gardiner’s surviving collection of glass plate negatives give us tremendous insight into the artistry of photography and the tourism industry on Mackinac Island. Join an art attendant for an engaging program exploring the life and works of William Gardiner, a Mackinac Island-based photographer who worked on the island from 1896-1935, and took many of the iconic shots of Mackinac Island and Mackinac Island State Park in the early 2oth century that we recognize today. 

2:30 p.m. Souvenirs at Mackinac
Mackinac Island has a rich history in both art and tourism. Our art attendant will guide visitors through the types of souvenirs that travelers to the island may have purchased in the early decades of Mackinac’s tourism era. Come experience this program and learn how souvenirs can offer a unique prospective on Mackinac’s culture and history.

3:30 p.m. Kids’ Time – Make a Craft!
Mackinac has inspired artists for generations – now it’s time to let it inspire your little one! An art attendant will present a craft centered around a daily theme – turtles, horses, boats, lilacs, history, and more. 

2024 Contemporary Art Show: Mackinac Rocks!

The theme for the 2024 juried art exhibition is Mackinac Rocks! From looking in wonder at the natural curiosity that is Arch Rock to skipping rocks at Windermere Point, to maybe enjoying some ‘rock’ at a local establishment or the fact that Mackinac Island is itself a large rock, it is safe to say that Mackinac Rocks! We encourage artists working in all media to share with us their artistic visions of what Mackinac Rocks! means to them. Click here to learn more.

Artist-in-Residence Program

Mackinac has inspired artists for generations. Here’s your chance to let it inspire you. Click here for more information.

Learn more about The Richard & Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum: