Spotlighting Michigan-based artists at Motel Bear Lake

Public Art

Son Visual Co, September 2024

Public art is a universal language. Like music and facial expressions, public art can transcend literacy, education level, cultural background, and social class. 

With public art, I can make ideas available to people who may not otherwise feel comfortable in a science museum (a lot of reading) or an art museum (kind of elitist; way too air-conditioned).!

Learn more about Son Visual Co.

Colorful mural featuring a large bird with a human face, surrounded by stars, abstract shapes, and a water-like base with a dog and other stylized birds.

Mariah Scott of Rose Color Creative, July 2024

People will travel to get a good photo in front of a unique background, and we are all about brand visibility! interior or exterior murals could easily turn your business into a destination (and give you some long-term advertising while you’re at it!).

Learn more about Rose Color Creative

Colorful mural of various flowers painted on a brick exterior wall of a building, with a grassy area and a bench in front.

Heather Spooner of Ampersand Lettering Lab, July 2023

Heather Spooner is a hand lettering artist/muralist based in the Midwest. In addition to her other artwork, she works with other artists to collaborate on projects that center community and connection.

Learn more about Heather and Ampersand Lettering Lab

Colorful mural on a building wall with rainbow-colored triangles and a yellow circle, with the words 'MOTEL BEAR LAKE' written at the bottom.

Kayla Peake, May 2024

I am a muralist & sign painter based in Saginaw, Michigan. My background is in graphic design, where I got my foundation for creating work that I can now translate to physical media for clients. I love to make work that feels fun & inviting to all, but especially shows other women & young folks that the public art world is for them TOO!

Learn more about Kayla Peake and KP Originals

Swimming pool area with a colorful inflatable ring in the foreground, a fenced pool with deck chairs and greenery behind, and a brick apartment building with numbered doors in the background.
View fullsize November Pillow Talk Shorter days, lower occupancy, the election… and yet, we rise! 🥦 Overall - “You have a very healthy business,” that’s what our CPA, @new_soul_pisces , said after auditing our 2024 books. Huge thanks ag
View fullsize Want to help our lil’ retro, gay motel without spending a thing? You can! Here are 5 ways you can make a HUGE impact. Write a Google review- (Link in bio) Google Maps is the #1 reservation referral for us. These reviews are soooo important fo
View fullsize I’m posting some sunny, beautiful pics of the motel to remind myself how far we’ve come... because I’m tired. Uninspired. Projects are taking longer. My priorities don’t feel clear. The emotional weight of creating a space
View fullsize Can we celebrate some solid dudes? Yesterday was International Men’s Day, and though we talk a LOT about the ladies, we want to give a much-deserved shout-out to the men who support us with their time, talents and hearts. Devin - Our go-to fo
View fullsize October Pillow Talk Let’s start with the wins, because there were many: 💕 Humans - Our shining in their on-site roles, extended education courses, and community events. And, a huge shout out to our guests. They are amazing. Our people are fin
View fullsize It’s a haunted motel… 📸 - @jackieblairphotographer #retromotel #motel #itsahauntedhouse #mymanistee #haunted #batesmotel
View fullsize @michiana_jones named this piece, “Pool Dreams” It’s a watercolor she painted of a photo she took last summer next to our 1/2 full pool during her birthday weekend at the motel. Krista is my dearest friend, a talented artist, and
View fullsize It’s the final day to enter our “We wanna get you high” fall giveaway! Special thanks to our partners: ✈️ Orchard Beach Aviation 🍃 @dunegrass.co 🥃 @ironfishdistillery 🍫 @kilwins_frankfort 🎿 @crystalmountainmi 🗺️ @manisteetour
View fullsize We have another sweet, sweet time-travel story. “Oh, dad. I haven’t seen his handwriting in so many years.” 😭😭 This is Joan. In 1962 her dad hand drew the original motel architectural plans. We have them proudly displayed in
View fullsize 🍂✨GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY✨🍂 We wanna get you high: - In the sky - Down a slide - On the farm - At the motel Nominate someone that you wanna get high - or tell us why it’s high time you treat yourself to a little getaway. $450+ Package i
View fullsize September Pillow Talk This month was the transition from treading water through the crazy tourist season to connecting with our community(and still exhausting ourselves). 👏 Our team - Continues to show up with great energy - filling needed roles
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View fullsize Can I share another great human story? This is Connie. (And me with a photo of the original motel owners ) She and her late husband, Tom, owned the motel from 1996 to 2004. She popped by the motel yesterday. We exchanged stories, toured the prope
View fullsize We have a great list of community events for this month! Bear Lake Triginta Club Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, September 7th, 7pm - Contact them directly for details 2nd Community Paint Night with @sipandstrokepaintparties4you - Monday, September 1
View fullsize August Pillow Talk Woof it was a month. 🙃🫠😵‍💫 started with room upgrade chaos > a week that felt like a manageable new normal > ended with what the service industry around here calls “Angry August” but we made it! 👏 our.