Artsy on Abel

Artsy on Abel is a Little Free Art Gallery located on Abel St. in Grandville, MI in the front yard of my home. It is a place for people to take and share small pieces of handmade art.

In the summer of 2022, I came across a Little Free Art Gallery while going for a walk in Saugatuck, MI. I loved the idea, and decided I wanted to have my own.

My dad and grandpa got to work, taking an old kitchen cabinet and creating my vision. They added a peak, roof, plexiglass window and painted it. I added the lettering, and then my dad attached it to a post and stuck in in my front yard.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was so excited when people started coming to visit. As the social media presence began to grow, I found that even people who didn’t live in our neighborhood were coming to check it out! I was also able to connect with other Free Little Art Gallery owners across the nation (and other countries!), and we often send art to each other to put in our Galleries.

In the summer of 2024, after a couple of harsh Michigan winters, Artsy needed a bit of maintenance. Thankfully, our next door neighbor, Bob Stelma, and his friend, Ryan Roth, offered to do some work on it. They replaced the walls of the cabinet and gave it a new roof. It got a fresh coat of paint and new lettering, and is back in action!

I am so grateful for all of the people who have supported this little passion project, and I love how it has helped make connections in our community and beyond. If you’re local, please stop by sometime! You can take art, leave art, or both. Please only share finished small, handmade art or crafts that are family friendly. If you’d like to mail some art, you can find the address below. Follow along on social media to see all of the different art that comes through!