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Benzie Area Historical Society and Oliver Art Center Invite the Public to the Fourth Annual Collaborative Poetry Program
FRANKFORT, MI — In celebration of the United States’ Semiquincentennial (250th birthday), the fourth annual ARTiFACTORY program is shifting its lens from physical museum artifacts to the power of the American flag. This year’s theme invites community members to explore the history, symbolism, and personal meanings of the American flag through poetry and art.
Sponsored by the Benzie Area Historical Society and the Oliver Art Center, ARTiFACTORY 2026 offers a unique opportunity for local writers and history enthusiasts to engage with the nation’s milestone anniversary. Teen writers are encouraged to participate.
Workshop: Crafting the Poem
The program kicks off with a creative workshop on March 21, 2026, from 10 am to 12 pm at the Oliver Art Center. Participants will gather to learn poetry techniques, explore historical contexts of the American flag, and discuss their work-in-progress in a supportive environment. Whether you are a seasoned poet or a first-time writer, this workshop is designed to help voices of all skill levels find their rhythm. This workshop is optional. There is no cost for this workshop.
March 21, 2026, 10 am to 12 pm
At the Oliver Art Center
Call the Oliver Art Center to register
New for 2026: The ARTiFACTORY Art Class
Expanding on the creative journey, the Oliver Art Center will also host a specialized ARTiFACTORY Art Class on Sunday, March 22, from 1 pm to 4 pm. Open to all skill levels—from beginners to experienced artists—this session will guide participants in creating a visual piece of art that complements the American flag theme. This hands-on class provides a space for community members to translate their historical reflections into a physical medium, ensuring that this year’s celebration is as vibrant as it is thoughtful. The goal of this class is to create artwork to pair with a poem for the chapbook (pairing your poem with art is not a requirement). This class is optional. There is no cost for this class.
March 22, 2026, 1 pm to 4 pm
At the Oliver Art Center
Call the Oliver Art Center to register
The Celebration: Public Reading and Chapbook
Following the workshop, the community is invited to a special showcase event at the Oliver Art Center on April 12, from 2 pm to 4 pm. Participants will have the opportunity to read their original poems aloud and share their artwork with friends, family, and the public. There will be light refreshments served. This event is free.
To preserve these voices for posterity, every poem created during the program will be published in a 2026 ARTiFACTORY Chapbook. This commemorative collection will be available for purchase, providing a lasting tribute to Benzie County’s perspective on the American spirit during this historic year. The celebrated ARTiFACTORY 2026 chapbook will be available for purchase after the readings.
Event Details
- Location: Oliver Art Center, Frankfort, MI
- Cost: Free (All ARTiFACTORY events are free to the public)
- Theme: Poems and artwork about the American Flag in honor of the U.S. 250th Birthday
“ARTiFACTORY has always been about the intersection of history and art,” says Steven Veatch, founder of ARTiFACTORY. “For the nation’s 250th birthday, we are excited to focus exclusively on the American flag as our subject, inviting the community to reflect on its enduring legacy through their own poetry and creative vision.” Registration for the March 21 workshop and the March 22 art class is encouraged. For more information or to sign up, please call the Oliver Art Center at (231) 352-4151.