We are mother & daughter artists and we love to create whimsical artwork, inspired by the beauty of Northern Michigan. All of the artwork in our gallery is made by us right here in Traverse City, Michigan. Shelly uses a bandsaw to cut out all of our whimsical creations including our signature Laughing Fish as well as all of our paint-your-own art projects.
June Hours
Thursday 11-4
Friday 11-4
Saturday 11-4
Sunday 11-4
Monday 11-4
Open additional hours by appointment
We have relocated our gallery to Traverse City, Michigan inside the Grand Traverse Commons! We are so excited to have our gallery and studio space much closer to home. We are a little bit harder to find though! Check out our Find Us page before your next visit for a couple of easy navigation tips on how to find us in our new home.
We are also proud to announce that we have a few Art Cafe painting tables set up in our new space! This means that you can drop in and paint one of our wood art projects (cut out by Shelly Drews of course. We provide all of the paint, brushes, aprons and even hairdryers to speed up the drying process. We only have two tables though, so if painting is in your plans we recommend reserving a table here.
Our Story
We first opened our cheerful little gallery in Suttons Bay in 2019, where we carved, painted, and built a community around our happy whimsical art. In 2023 Kirstie welcomed her son (Henry), and as our family grew, we realized we needed a gallery closer to home in Traverse City. That shift led us to our new space at the Grand Traverse Commons, a place that allows us to have our gallery and Kirstie’s studio in one place.
Shelly Drews has been carving her signature laughing fish since 2014 and has worked with a bandsaw for many years prior. In 2019, Shelly and her daughter Kirstie opened Laughing Fish Gallery in Suttons Bay, Michigan, with the goal of sharing their joyful, handcrafted art with a wider community. Shelly carves all of the wooden artwork featured in the gallery, from her beloved fish to bears, foxes, and other playful woodland characters. She also hand-carves every Art Café project, creating the pieces that invite visitors of all ages to slow down, get creative, and experience the joy of making art themselves. Stop in a paint at our Art Café for a unique Traverse City experience.
Kirstie Drews is the artist behind all pieces signed Echo Foxx. The name Echo Foxx was developed while Kirstie was traveling through Nepal and working as a freelance graphic designer. She creates all of the watercolor prints and greeting cards, along with acrylic paintings inspired by her love of color and nature. Her signature style often features galaxy night skies and silhouetted pine trees, with much of her artistic inspiration drawn from her travels abroad, especially time spent out West. Kirstie’s work reflects her deep appreciation for the desert and the mountains, wide open spaces, and the sense of wonder that comes from standing beneath a vast, star-filled sky.
What is Art Cafe?
Art Café is a relaxed, drop-in painting space where you can pick a hand-cut wooden project, grab some paints, and create your own happy art. Each project is carved and designed by artist Shelly Drews, and you can even book a table ahead to save your spot. We currently have over 30 unique projects for you to chose from and we’re happy to provide you with some painting tips and tricks to get you started.
We provide everything you need to complete your Art Café project, including paints, brushes, and even hair dryers - all included in the cost of your project.
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The short answer: everyone! Our Art Café projects are perfect for ages 5 to 105. Come paint solo, bring friends, or plan a creative outing, whether it’s a book club get-together, girls’ night out, bachelorette party, birthday celebration, or any reason at all to make something fun! This is a perfect creative activity if you live (or are visiting!) in Traverse City, Michigan.
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$20-$50+
Our Art Café projects are available at a range of price points, beginning at just $20. When you choose to paint your project in person, all paints and brushes are provided at no additional cost. For your convenience, we also offer a hair dryer station to help speed up the drying process, allowing you to complete and take home your artwork the same day.
If you take your Art Cafe project home to paint you will need to also purchase your own paint and brushes ( don’t worry, we sell these in-shop! )
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Drop in
Stop by during open hours and say hello. No reservation needed.Choose a project
Pick out an Art Cafe project from Shelly’s hand-cut designs.Check out and set up
Pay for your project, find a table, and get your supplies. Paints, brushes, water cups, and paper towels are complimentary.Paint at your own pace
Relax and create. Ask for color or technique tips anytime.Dry and detail
Use our hair-dryer station to speed up drying so you can add final touches.Take it home
Once it is dry, you are all set to bring your artwork home the same day.
You can also book a table in advance if you already know your schedule! Check out our Booking page and choose a time that’s most convenient for you.
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You can paint in-person at our Art Gallery located in The Grand Traverse Commons. We are located on the 2nd floor in Suite 207. Take the stairs by Cuppa Joe and follow the signs to us, or take the elevator to Kirkbride Hall and we’re next door.
1200 W. Eleventh Street, Traverse City MI 49684
Park in the lot across from Pleasanton Brick Oven Bakery and you’ll be just steps away from us!
You can drop-in or book a table in advance if you already know your schedule!
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Any type of acrylic paint will work on our wooded Art Cafe projects. We recommend, Folk Art Multi Surface Paints - They’re what we use!
