News Up North

Announcing the 5th Annual Dorothy Draper School of Decorating at America’s Summer Place. Come experience a Day of Decorating with host Carleton Varney, one of the most well known interior designers and President of Dorothy Draper and Company of New York City. Participants of the School of Decorating will explore the art of creating beautiful bold interiors during two design and artistic sessions. Learn about the Dorothy Draper style, developing a symphonically creative space, and giving your room personality and harmony. In addition, the day of decorating class is designed so participants may enhance design and decorating for their own personal spaces and appreciate the process of creating new and bold interiors.

Click here to read a Q&A with Emma Jay Byfield, great-grandaughter of Dorothy Draper, on MyNorth.com.

Emma talks about her experience attending Grand Hotel’s Dorothy Draper School of Decorating and how her great-grandmother’s iconic designs have influenced her own personal style.

Come immerse yourself in the bright beautiful colors and inspiration throughout Grand Hotel where Carleton Varney has been decorating for over 40 years. Gain confidence in your artistic expression and let your decorating talents come to life! Get ready to be creative and have fun!

In addition to the School of Decorating, the package includes accommodations in one of 397 uniquely decorated guest rooms designed by Mr. Varney, a full breakfast and dinner daily, cocktail receptions on Friday and Saturday evenings, and all of the modern amenities of Grand Hotel.

Dorothy Draper School of Decorating Registration Form:

In addition to the package price, there is a $300 per person fee for the School of Decorating sessions for guests staying at Grand Hotel.

For non-hotel guests there will be a $350.00 per person fee.

To register for the School of Decorating, please fill out the form by clicking here.

Join faculty, alumni and students from the Michigan State University College of Arts & Letters, the celebrated home of art, theatre, language, literature, innovation and creativity at the University, as they convene for a very special 25th Anniversary weekend. Celebrate the future of art through sustainability, while enjoying the splendor of Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island, pre-dinner cocktail receptions, fine dining, and performances showcasing theatre and music.

Friday evening will start with a cocktail reception and dinner in the Main Dining Room, followed by an enjoyable evening of musical theatre with Broadway hits performed by the MSU Department of Musical Theatre Company.

Saturday morning, take a guided tour of the Mackinac Island Manoogian Art Collection, followed by a presentation about Sustainable Design: Fashion and Culture by faculty from MSU College of Arts & Letters Apparel and Textile Design program and MSU Department of Theatre. In the afternoon, take part in The Art of Shares to Wares by Laura Cloud, Associate Professor in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design. Shape and mold snare wires into toys and works of art that can be sold to support community members in East Africa.

This is the perfect weekend to bring out your passion for the arts and celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Arts Weekend!

NEWS! Read about Associate Professor of Integrated Media Design, Alison Dobbins, who is at forefront of a new frontier in theatre – one that integrates digital media, lighting, and theatrical production to provide magical effects for the stage. Alison will present on Saturday afternoon. At the Forefront of a New Age in Theatre >>

The Grand Garden Show is currently sold out. Day tickets are available for purchase on the Grand Garden Show website or you may call 1-800-334-7263 to be added to the waiting list for the package.

Announcing the 8^th Annual Grand Garden Show presented by Proven Winners, the world’s #1 plant brand. Join us for this special gardening weekend located at the world’s largest summer resort providing a spectacular and memorable setting.

Celebrate the beauty of flowers while you surround yourself with the rich history of Mackinac Island and Grand Hotel. This is a multi-day event with hands-on demonstrations and presentations from some of the nation’s foremost garden design experts. Spend your morning in inspirational garden sessions followed by exclusive private home garden tours around Mackinac Island in the afternoon. Wind down the day with evening receptions on the Front Porch and Tea Garden followed by dinner in the Main Dining Room.

Introducing Grand Opening and Keynote Speakers

The session will begin with Grand Opening speaker, Jack Barnwell Mackinac Island’s own award-winning garden designer, author, and owner of C3 Gardens of Southwest Florida, and Barnwell Landscape on Mackinac Island. Jack has over twenty years of experience creating breathtaking commercial and private garden displays on one of the world’s premier summer vacation destinations.

Keynote speakers:

Jan Johnsen is a professional landscape designer and a principal of the established design/build firm, Johnsen Landscapes & Pools, in Westchester County, NY. She was an adjunct professor at Columbia University and is an award-winning instructor at the New York Botanical Garden along with a contributing editor for Garden Design Magazine.

Dr. Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell founded Beekman 1802 in 2008, now over ten years later, they work with over 300 local and regional artisans whose hands make over 200 amazing and beautiful products for homes.

Brent and Josh consider themselves to be a 211-year-old company. “When we stumbled across the Beekman Farm in upstate New York, we had no plans to create a business around it. We started making goat milk soaps and gourmet cheeses in 2008 and one thing led to another…now we are proud to have over 180 employees and be recognized as one of the most successful lifestyle brands in America by Nasdaq, Inc Magazine & The Wall Street Journal. Like Judge William Beekman, who originally built the farm over 200 years ago, we were inspired by the land and the community to build something lasting.”

Meet the Breakout Session Speakers:

We are also excited to welcome back Laura LeBoutillier, founder of Garden Answer, a YouTube how-to gardening vlog filled with style, expertise, and gardening knowledge. She can’t wait to meet you, chat about all things Earthy, and share some of her expertise with you first-hand!

Kerry Ann Mendez is an award-winning garden designer, author and lecturer, who focuses on time-saving gardening techniques, workhorse plants and sustainable practices. She has been on HGTV and in numerous magazines including Horticulture, Fine Gardening, Garden Gate, and Better Homes & Gardens.

Deborah Trickett, an award-winning container garden designer has worked in the gardening industry for over 30 years, and is the owner of The Captured Garden. Deborah works with clients throughout New England who want their homes to be beautiful, not typical. By combining unusual plant material and creative design ideas she creates gardens and containers that are truly one of a kind.

We look forward to seeing you this August!

For full program information visit grandgardenshow.com.

View photos from past events.

To request a FREE Gardener’s Idea book from Proven Winners, please click here.

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Participating partner: