Photo Credit: Woodwalk Gallery. Photo by Kayla Larsen.
Through historic community collections, sculpture gardens, and working studios, the art galleries in Door County reveal the peninsula’s creative side
Door County has long been known for its shoreline, orchards, and lighthouses, but it’s also been known as an artist’s peninsula. Painters from Chicago and Milwaukee began traveling north in the early 1900s to sketch Door County’s beauty, drawn by the same light and landscape that still draws artists today.
One of the most influential of that early crowd was amateur landscape painter Francis Hardy, who summered in Ephraim through the early 20th century and envisioned Door County as a vibrant hub for artists and art lovers alike. Alongside other pioneering artists like Madeline Tourtelot and Gerhard Miller, Hardy played a big role in organizing art exhibits and showcasing local artists — so much so that the Hardy Gallery in Ephraim is named for him.
That vision lives on today in dozens of galleries, studios, and small museums scattered across the peninsula. Here are a few of our favorite art galleries in Door County, most just a few miles at most from Ephraim Shores Resort — and all worth a stop alongside the peak color, apples, and other things to do in Door County in October.
- Start close to home in Ephraim
Two of the most beloved art galleries in Door County are right here in our village:The Hardy Gallery: Housed inside the historic Anderson Dock warehouse on Eagle Harbor, the Hardy Gallery is a gallery space that has been showing the work of local and regional artists for decades. Open from late May through mid-October, the gallery is best known for its annual Juried Exhibits to kick off the season as well as its Collection Invitational in July — but is open for a final exhibit in the fall depending on the timing of your trip!Fine Line Designs Gallery: Just up the road in North Ephraim, Fine Line Designs Gallery shows contemporary fine art, sculpture, jewelry, and glass from a roster of national artists — over 90 of them, to be exact. The space is beautifully curated and always worth a browse, with exhibits running throughout the summer and the gallery is open on weekends or by appointment through the late fall. - Explore Fish Creek’s art sceneJust a few minutes away, Fish Creek is home to two more of our favorite art galleries in Door County:Edgewood Orchard Galleries: Located in a restored fruit barn built in 1918, Edgewood is an art “experience” more than a gallery. Over 150 artists are represented here, with painters, sculptors, glass artists, woodworkers, clay artists and jewelry creators all given the opportunity to shine. In addition to the gallery, Edgewood’s setting features a brick courtyard and a sculpture garden where visitors can walk and take in even more art.
Peninsula School of Art (Fish Creek): More gallery-plus-classroom than traditional gallery, Peninsula School of Art keeps rotating exhibits in its Guenzel Gallery year-round, and if you’re feeling inspired, you can even sign up for a workshop while you’re here!
- Head to Egg Harbor and beyond for a gallery-hopping afternoonThe middle of the peninsula is home to a cluster of art galleries in Door County that highlight our craft traditions of glass, pottery, wood, and jewelry.Plum Bottom Gallery (Egg Harbor): With two locations in Egg Harbor and one in Fish Creek, Plum Bottom Pottery is a favorite for its focus on functional pottery, hand-blown glass, and jewelry from local and regional artists.
Woodwalk Gallery (Egg Harbor): Set inside a beautifully restored dairy barn, Woodwalk shows the work of dozens of regional artists across painting, photography, ceramics, and mixed media. The barn also hosts several events throughout the year, including dinners, fundraising events, and concerts. (If you have anyone looking to get married, it’s also a fantastic wedding venue!)
Cappaert Contemporary Gallery (Egg Harbor): A small but excellent stop for contemporary painting, sculpture, and mixed-media work from artists across the Midwest and beyond. Bonus: there’s a sculpture garden in the back that leads to Ginnie’s log cabin studio, and the water view from the gallery is a must-see!
Popelka Trenchard Gallery & Glass Studio (Sturgeon Bay): This working hot glass studio is owned by nationally-recognized artists Stephanie Trenchard and Jeremy Popelka and exhibits the artists’ techniques of glass cast sculpture and murrini blown glass. They also offer classes and glass demonstrations all year round.
Andrea Naylor Studio & Gallery (Sturgeon Bay): A newer gallery located in downtown Sturgeon Bay, the bright and vibrant work of Andrea Naylor will win over people who claim they’re “not into art.”
- Go beyond the gallery walls and explore your inner artistSome of the most memorable ways to experience Door County art are not in a gallery at all — they’re in a studio or a classroom. In addition to the Peninsula School of Art’s classes that we mentioned above, here are a few more ways to get that feeling first-hand:The Clearing Folk School (Ellison Bay): Founded in 1935 by landscape architect Jens Jensen, The Clearing is a legendary retreat and folk school where visitors can enroll in painting, weaving, woodworking, writing, and photography classes on a stunning wooded campus.
Hands On Art Studio (Fish Creek): Hands On is all about helping people tap into their own creativity. You can explore so many different mediums — pottery, painting, mosaic, glass, jewelry, and more — and they provide everything you’ll need for a day of art. Perfect for all ages and skill levels, and no experience needed!
No matter what way you choose to spend your Door County visit, a tour of the art galleries in Door County will make your getaway feel a little more intentional, and a lot more inspired. Our advice: plan a loose route, make a day of it, and let the peninsula’s artists show you why they love Door County.
Ephraim Shores Resort — a waterfront Door County resort for the whole family
Located in downtown Ephraim, Ephraim Shores is a family-friendly resort for groups of all sizes. From our private sundeck overlooking Eagle Harbor and our many room types to our beautiful waterfront location, Ephraim Shores has everything your family needs for the perfect vacation. Some of our amenities include an indoor pool and hot tub, an exercise room and game room, and bikes for our guests to use. To make your reservation, contact us at 877-854-2371 or visit our website at ephraimshores.com.