Village Spotlight: Laughing Fish Gallery
Hi, we’re Kirstie and Shelly, a mother–daughter artist team creating happy, whimsical art. We love making joyful pieces that bring a bit of magic and color into your home. Shelly carves most of our wooden art on a bandsaw, and Kirstie paints many of the fish along with all of the watercolor prints, weavings, and lino prints. We’re also excited to offer an Art Café inside our gallery, where instead of ordering food, you can order an art project. Every piece is carved by Shelly, and we provide all the paints, brushes, and supplies you need to feed your creativity.
Q: What is the best part of being at your new location?
We really love the community here. Being at the Commons feels like stepping into a vibrant little world of its own. The mix of unique shops, creative businesses, and the history woven into the space makes it feel truly enchanting. We love hearing people wander up the stairs, spot the gallery, and say “ohhh this is cute!” It feels like the perfect home for our happy art. And the windows absolutely sealed the deal for us. All that natural light pouring in on sunny days is such a treat!
Q: How did the name Laughing Fish come about?
It started with our wooden fish, these joyful and whimsical sculptures that Shelly has carved for years (I think since 2014!). Every fish seemed to have its own personality, and they just looked like they were laughing. So Laughing Fish became the name, and it became official in 2019 when we opened our gallery in Suttons Bay. We also started naming our fish at some point, and it has really taken off. People love seeing the names for each one. It gives them such a fun little personality and makes choosing a fish even more special.
Q: What do you wish people knew about your offerings/location?
That we are both a gallery and an Art Café. You can browse our handmade art, shop for gifts, and if inspiration strikes, you can sit down and paint your own wooden project. It is super casual, no reservations needed ( although you can book a table in advance on our website). Grab a coffee or tea and spend the afternoon painting with us. We are tucked upstairs above Cuppa Joe, or take the elevator to Kirkbride Hall and we're right next door.
Q: Anything fun or new on the horizon?
Yes! We’re always working on new Art Café projects, including some fun Christmas Projects, and we have another Art Drop planned for November. We’re also planning a few special painting events and hope to add some weaving and painting classes in the near future. We have lots of information on our website, and we always encourage anyone who is interested to sign up for our newsletter. We often share discounts, early access, and free shipping promos with our subscribers!
Laughing Fish Gallery, #207 Village Center
www.LaughingFishMI.com @laughingfishmi
Current Hours: Friday thru Monday 11am-6pm / 11am-4pm Sunday
