The Cover Story

The Harbor Springs area is filled with beauty and the waters of Little Traverse Bay are part of what draws visitors and summer residents back to the area each year. The deep harbor is perfect for boating. The cover image on the 2009 Harbor Springs Visitors Guide captures the harbor and the shore area near Zoll Street beach. Artist and local resident Rick Ford brings together the beauty of the water with the majestic lines of the tree along the shore in this vibrant painting.

Rick Ford has gained national attention as a fine artist in the portrait, landscape, and still-life genres. He has been working for three decades, beginning with his studies at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. By 1980, Rick had made the decision to devote his time to the profession of fine art painting. National recognition first came when he was represented by Portrait Brokers Inc., a national portrait gallery.

Rick has had numerous one-man shows in New York, Chicago and the summer resort community of Harbor Springs, Michigan. Working in oil, pastel, acrylic and watercolor, his style ranges from photo realistic to soft representational.

Rick Ford is this year’s featured D’Art for Art artist for the Crooked Tree Arts Center. His work, Harbor Morning Weque Shore, the Visitors Guide cover image, was used to inspire the theme for the arts center’s premier fundraising event, July 16, 2009.

Welcome to the
Harbor Springs area!

Harbor Springs. For many visitors and summer residents, just saying these two words evokes memories of summer, family gatherings, is an ‘aahh’ moment. Aahh, Harbor Springs.

From spring days with a landscape covered in trillium to a summer afternoon on the beach or water, Harbor Springs is the place to be outside. Situated on a beautiful natural, deep harbor, your eye is often drawn to the water. As you walk through downtown, you can’t help but look at the water, watch the sail boats dance across the bay, or see the children playing at the beach.

Summer is the season when many visit Harbor Springs. And rightfully so! There is much to do here: concerts on the waterfront, an art fair in the park, wine festival, sailing, kayaking, beach time, fishing, hiking, biking, and golfing. This is the place to meet with old friends, and new ones, dine, play, enjoy.

For many summer visitors to Harbor Springs, this community feels like home. Whether you are here for three days or three months, you are welcomed everywhere from the grocery store to the coffee shop. Hospitality is our specialty!

Harbor Springs loves summer friends and visitors. Summer memories are created here because this is a special place filled with natural beauty, hospitality, a variety of things to do, and history.

Whether you are here for a day on the beach, a weekend on the ski slopes, or a month filled with things to do, we are glad you are here!