Our cabin is within walking distance of the Interlochen Center for the Arts, but I’ve never taken any photos there. So, the other day, as I walked through, I took out my phone to capture some images.
What is Interlochen Center for the Arts (ICA)? This is a quote from their web site. “Since 1928, Interlochen has offered an immersive arts experience that fosters a sense of closeness discovered only through a deep, shared appreciation. Generations of artists and arts enthusiasts have experienced the special and intangible magic that transpires on Interlochen’s beautiful campus, nestled between two pristine lakes and surrounded by quiet pines in northwest Michigan.” Although initially dedicated to music, ICA now offers visual arts as well, including photography, painting, animation, and much more. I won’t go into the history of ICA, but you can check it out on this web page.
Not only had I never photographed anything on the ICA campus, we had never taken an official tour until this summer. I highly recommend this tour. Even after all the years we’ve had access to the campus, I learned a great deal on the tour. So, let me offer a short walking tour as an appetizer to your campus visit.
ICA hosts many top performers in concert every summer. One of the favorite venues is Kresge Auditorium.
Kresge is an open-walled venue with some great views to Green Lake.
The flags above the auditorium represent the home countries of the students attending ICA.
The Interlochen Bowl is completely outdoors.
One of the pleasures of wandering around the campus when in session is hearing students practicing in these small practice buildings scattered around campus. Many are equipped with pianos. Individuals and small groups can schedule practice time.
This sign is on one of the practice buildings.
The Dow Visual Arts Center is open to the public and contains various works of art by the students and faculty.
The Writing House is one of the newer buildings and designed with a stone and wood exterior to fit into the natural setting on campus.
The Little Red School House Gallery is another gallery open to the public.
The Two Bears Sculpture by Marshall Fredericks stands in front of Corson Auditorium.
This mural is adjacent to the Melody Freeze.
ICA is a wonderful place to visit. As it says on the sign shown above “to make music and partake of nature’s harmony.” If you are passing through Interlochen, schedule a tour and see it for yourself.
Mark
Great photos Mark. Thanks to Don for the school house info.
Wonderful ! If you permit, I will share your pics with friends and family who have yet to visit.
Absolutely! This is a public website so please share with any and all.
Great post! Glad you finally got to tour campus. The Little Red Schoolhouse, by the way, is the former schoolhouse for Wylie Village, just across Joseph Maddy Parkway from the main campus (used to be known as the “boys’ camp”, but everything has since gone coed). It was for the children of the workers at the Wylie Cooperage Company, a barrel factory that made barrels from what hardwood remained after lumbering ended. The cooperage itself was on the water (I can send you photos), but the village went pretty much up to where the road is now (some of those houses behind the “marching field” are original). It was just a few years back when one of the old sawmill blades surfaced off the shore, having been covered for years by mud. One wonders what other history is still hidden beneath the surface!
The tour was great. I learned so much. It gave me a better appreciation for the school and campus. Thanks for sharing the story of the Little Red Schoolhouse and the cooperage company.