Fishtown Leland

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Fishtown Leland

The core historic part of Fishtown is owned and operated by the Fishtown Preservation Society For more information, visit http://www.fishtownmi.org
(2290)

Fishtown is a collection of weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, overhanging docks, fish tugs and charter boats along the Leland River in Leland, Michigan. The heart of a commercial fishing village, Fishtown is one of the only places where we can still see and feel a connection to the long tradition of Great Lakes maritime culture.

08/26/2026

We're delighted to welcome Schyler the Potter to the Art Shanty this week!

For Schyler, pottery is about more than making beautiful objects—it’s about creating pieces that feel right. Inspired by the familiar comfort of home, his pottery is designed to be both beautiful and useful, with simple forms and a carefully considered palette of just a handful of colors. Each piece feels at home in your everyday life while still being something special to reach for.

A Michigan native and Western Michigan University ceramics graduate, Schyler has spent years refining his craft, from running his own gallery and studio in Manistee to his current studio practice in Traverse City. His work reflects a focus on craft, purpose, and intention, with each piece carefully considered from form to finish.

Stop by the Art Shanty to see Schyler's pottery in person and discover a piece that's made to be used, enjoyed, and become part of your home.

Schyler will be at the Art Shanty through September 1 - or online at https://www.schylerthepotter.com/

08/20/2026

We're excited to welcome Nature Walk back to the Art Shanty this week!

Nature Walk is the creation of Casey and Donovan Scott, a young couple who have created a whole little world around their love of the outdoors. Casey's own artwork is woven into a thoughtfully chosen collection of nature-inspired goods from artists and designers they love. From screen-printed apparel and artwork to stickers, pins, pennants, books, bags, bandanas, and more, there's plenty to discover for anyone who finds a little joy in getting outside.

Whether you're a dedicated naturalist, an avid hiker or forager, or simply someone who loves wandering a little farther down the trail, you'll find something to bring a little more of the outdoors into your everyday life.

Stop by the Art Shanty through August 24 to meet Casey and Donovan and explore their collection.

Can't make it to Fishtown this week? You can explore Nature Walk online at naturewalkstudio.com or visit them at the store in Empire.

08/19/2026

LOST CAMERA BAG!
We had some visitors to Fishtown that had their black sling camera bag fall off the back of a motorized chair. Contents included a professional Canon camera, sour mints, blue lizard sunscreen, a fist aid travel kit, and a few other small items. If you know anything about this or picked it up and didn't know what to do with it - Please call our office 231-256-8878. We would love to get it back to them!

08/17/2026

Did a portal open over Fishtown today or are those just some amazing clouds?!

Photo courtesy of Wild Lettie

08/13/2026

What happens when you spend a summer looking at a place you thought you already knew?

For her final Leland (b)Logs entry, FPS summer '26 intern Emma Nelson reflects on three months spent exploring Fishtown, Lake Michigan, and the people and stories that make this place so special.

From fishing and science to historic islands, schooners, buoys, and the many people who shared their time and knowledge with her, Emma's summer became about much more than learning about Fishtown. It became about discovering just how much there is beneath the surface of a place she has called home her whole life.

Thank you, Emma, for taking us along for the journey—we are grateful for the curiosity, enthusiasm, and fresh perspective you have brought to Fishtown this summer.

Read Emma's final blog, My Summer with Fishtown, and join us in wishing her luck in her next big adventure, wherever it takes her! https://www.fishtownmi.org/?p=5710

08/12/2026

Fan favorites Markie of Silver, Slag & Stone and Katie Bramlage are back at the Art Shanty this week!

Both artists have been busy expanding their collections since their last visit. Markie has added new Northern Michigan stones to her jewelry collection, along with more petite silver pieces that are perfect for everyday wear. But don't worry—she still has all your favorite Leland Blue and Petoskey stone pieces, too!

Katie has taken her pottery in a whole new direction, using her handmade pottery to create beautiful flowers and other shapes for unique wall hangings. She's also creating framed arrangements that layer color, texture, and depth to create truly one-of-a-kind pieces for your home. And don't miss the cute little animals she's tucked among her creations—you may have to look twice to find them!

Whether you're looking for something to wear, something for your walls, or simply something beautiful and one-of-a-kind, there's plenty to discover this week.

Stop by the Art Shanty and see what's new from two returning favorites!

08/06/2026

Grand Traverse Distillery limited release for Fishtown

These early days of August bring with them the launch of a special single-barrel limited-release rye whiskey by the Grand Traverse Distillery. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold benefits Fishtown Preservation. This release is only available in the Leland tasting room at 110 N. Lake Street, Suite A.

This barrel was selected by FPS’s executive director and the long-time staff of the Leland tasting room. The name alone made it a stand-out: “Ole George Rye Whiskey, Barrel #848.” In addition to being aged for over 8 years, it is made of 100% local rye and is single-barrel cask strength, bottled undiluted at 128.1 Proof. It has notes of caramel, allspice, anise, and charred oak, with an indescribable lingering finish that makes you feel as warm as after a good visit to Fishtown.

We love that it’s from the Distillery’s Ole George line because there are many wonderful Georges connected to Fishtown’s past and present. Kent Rabish, who established Grand Traverse Distillery in 2005, began with rye spirits because their heritage runs deep in American history. He named the line Ole George in honor of his grandfather, a farmer who inspired the business by putting his excess farm grain to good use in a hidden barn still.

The summer days are winding down. What better way to honor the role Fishtown plays in your life, or in the life of someone special to you, than the singular experience of this barrel. Everyone who has had a sample of this limited-release rye whiskey has gone home with a bottle; it’s that good, and there are now only 60 bottles left.

Thank you to the Grand Traverse Distillery for supporting the work of Fishtown Preservation in keeping Fishtown here for everyone, and for sharing a love of our region’s history.

08/05/2026

We're delighted to welcome Katie Bartle of KB Studios Pottery back to the Art Shanty this week!

Inspired by the outdoors and the beauty of everyday moments, Katie creates functional pottery that's as enjoyable to use as it is to admire. From whimsical mugs to nature-inspired pieces, each item is thoughtfully handcrafted, with several created especially for her time in Leland and Fishtown.

Be sure to look for Katie's stunning owl vases. Each one takes more than eight hours to create, followed by the anxious wait to see how it emerges from the kiln. Thankfully, both made it, and they're every bit as beautiful as she'd hoped.

Stop by the Art Shanty this week to meet Katie, explore her latest creations, and discover the craftsmanship behind every piece.

Can't make it to Fishtown? You can find more of Katie's work online at kbstudiospottery.com.

08/04/2026

What happens after the fish leave the boat?

In this week's blog, FPS Summer '26 intern Emma Nelson returns to where her summer journey began—following the iconic Lake Michigan whitefish from the deck of the Joy to Carlson's Fishery, where tradition, teamwork, and generations of knowledge shape every step of its journey.

Along the way, Emma discovers the history behind the fishery, the science of smoking whitefish, and the thoughtful practices that ensure every fish is put to good use. It's a fascinating look at the people, processes, and heritage that help keep commercial fishing alive in Fishtown today.

Read this week's blog and experience the story of Fishtown's most iconic catch—from lake to table. https://www.fishtownmi.org/?p=5691

And don't miss Emma's final entry next week—her grand finale!

07/29/2026

We're excited to welcome BigMittenLinocuts back to the Art Shanty this week!

Artist Betsy creates every linocut print entirely by hand—from sketching her designs onto linoleum blocks to carefully carving each image before hand-printing every piece on paper or fabric. The result is a collection of beautifully crafted, limited-edition prints inspired by the woods, waters, and wildlife of the Midwest.

If you've visited Betsy before, you'll notice that alongside her signature black-and-white prints, she's adding vibrant touches of color to many of her latest pieces, giving her familiar designs a fresh new look.

If you're lucky, you might even catch Betsy carving while you visit! And if you stopped by last year, you'll be excited to see that some of the blocks she was working on have now become finished prints ready to take home.

Stop by the Art Shanty through August 3 to meet Betsy, learn about her fascinating printmaking process, and discover a piece that celebrates the beauty of the natural world.

Can't make it to Fishtown this week? You can explore more of Betsy's work at bigmittenlinocuts.com.

Address

W River Street
Leland, MI
49654

Website

https://www.fishtownmi.org/

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