Gwen Frostic Prints

An unusual, amazing place! The setting, what the Frostic supporters are trying to do, and the greater message of Gwen Frostic makes this a truly charming visit. I bought several unique prints as gifts and enjoyed looking at the setting and the presses at work.
Go west on Traverse (from 31). Traverse turns into River Road. The studio entrance is well marked.

One of our vacation highlights to be sure. This is a small store located in a house where Gwen Frostic used to create her art. Organic interior made of giant native boulders was very impressive. Gwen’s prints were everywhere: on greeting cards, posters, calendars and best of all, one could see them being printed on many printing machines one level below the showroom. We fell in love with a print of a raccoon and bought a few cards and calendars featuring it and also other animals, and plants. Everything was very affordable: we picked up a few souvenirs for the folks back home and some things for ourselves.
Definitely worth coming back here again– a true Northern Michigan gem.

Gwen Frostic’s unique nature art is an iconic part of NW Michigan culture, and if you’re in the area you have to visit the Gwen Frostic store/​printing press. It’s like a wonderful hobbit-​hole that seems to grow back into the earth. On a more practical note, the make-​your-​own stationery packs are awesome, and incredibly affordable… you can design your own set of notecards, large or small, from dozens of designs. I’m hoping they’ll do more with wearable/​frameable/​useful art in the future. (Like the ceramic Gwen Frostic coaster I’m using right now!)

I fell in love with Gwen Frostics when I was in 6^th grade on a family vacation. It was just as I remembered it. Pretty and unique prints on little cards, notes, and gifts. Nature is king and unfinished edges add to the down to earth feeling. All the packages are wrapped in brown paper and adorned with sprigs of pine needles from their forest garden. Very pretty and ethereal feeling.
The shop has an amazing array of printing presses too, it would be fabulous to see them in action. Great for the lady who still writes or if you’re in need of a unique hostess gift, this place is a must visit.

I’ve been coming to Gwen’s for years, but it was a special thrill to go in there today, hear the clattering presses and watch them in action, browse the store and make some purchases, visit Gwen’s nature library overlooking the river, and wander out to the nature trails on he property.
I always believed they would reopen this store, and I was thrilled that my faith was actually rewarded with the recent reopening! I agree with other posters here about the special nature of this business, and its place as an integral part of the Benzie County community, and its major draw for tourism in the area.
The store remains much the same, although the selection seemed a bit thin for some things (they had little wrapping paper and none of the plastic coffee mugs). It does sound as if they were still getting back up to speed a bit after the six-​plus month closing. They did have a few of the larger 2010 calendars and the smaller calendars for 2011. Items I didn’t remember seeing there before were several different throw blankets with Gwen’s images and some of the jewelry (I ended up with a silver «happy raccoon» pendant).
The woman who purchased the business worked there for several years doing outside sales, and it looks as if most of the folks working there today were returning employees. Here’s hoping they’ll all be here for years to come :)

This is one of my favorite places on earth! I love everything about Gwen Frostic prints and store. In fact, I wish I could live in the store. I seldom use any cards besides Gwen Frostic cards — for birthdays, Christmas, weddings, sympathy, etc… all anyone gets from me is a Gwen Frostic card. Everyone should visit the store and appreciate the simple, natural beauty of the surroundings and structure itself. It is truly unique. I am obviously relieved to hear it’s reopening — closing Gwen Frostic would be TRAGIC.

I am pleased to report that Gwen Frostic Prints and Presscraft Papers has re-​opened as of March 1^st 2010 and also the web ordering system is back on-​line and able to accept new orders.
Hooray!

I love Gwen Frostic Prints. I’ve been going there every year for almost 20 years, and both my wife and mother are ADDICTED to her prints. Although she’s passed away now, they continue to print her portfolio, as it is quite popular around the world. Her nature trails and architecture of the building (both her print shop and house) is really interesting. A MUST SEE for northern michigan!

When I was a little kid, I saved my allowance so that each year I could purchase a signed print from Gwen Frostic — true story. To this day, they are amongst my favorite possessions… The most quintessential Northern Michigan art gallery EVER ~ don’t even think about visiting Leelanau County without stopping here, you’ll really be missing out!
Historic, unusual, ethereal, not quite of this earth… this shop is beyond lovely and is truly a landmark destination. Gwen was an artist and avid environmentalist who passed away in 2001 after a life time of perfecting her craft. She painted the birds, animals and fauna of Northern Michigan in a simple, clean, yet whimsical style that is quite distinctive. May 23^rd is Gwen Frostic day in Michigan — she was such a vital and distinguished artist!
The shop itself is set on 250 acres of a private nature preserve that Gwen created. You can access the trails if you would like and wander through the preserve. After a bit of a walk, be sure to head into the store, it’s not to be missed! The store is made entirely of stone, with fountains, grotto’s, and windows overlooking the preserve… beyond peaceful, the interior is as unique and lovely as the exterior. It overlooks the print shop (15 Heidelberg presses!!!) where you can watch prints, stationary, etc. being created. There are also hundreds of postcards on the walls and ceilings sent from all over the world by Gwen Frostic devotees ~ it is really neat to look at all the postmarks & notes sent by her fans & friends from around the world. It makes you realize what an impact her life’s work has had.
Did I mention how affordable it is? Stationary, cocktail napkins, gorgeous prints, place mats, decanters, gift wrap, stickers, calendars, mugs — you name it, Gwen’s art is upon it and attractively priced. They use Gwen’s original hand cut blocks to create everything in the store. I make one run here a year for «emergency» gifts (along with items for myself of course!) to have on hand for birthdays, holidays, etc. and a heap-​o-​gifts runs me about $ 100 a year. Everyone loves a gift from here, these items are so unique and lovely! Bonus — they wrap your purchases in Gwen’s paper and seal it with a sticker & a bit of fir. Beautiful to look and and they smell nice as well.
If I sound like a super fan, it’s because I really am. Go once and you’ll find yourself going back again and again… Truly a must stop when you are in Northern Michigan!