Make It an Art Weekend

Edgewood Orchard Galleries held a 50th anniversary reception earlier this year. Photo by Len Villano.

Fall colors will soon be gone from Door County – both from the trees and from some of its galleries. As October comes to a close, many local galleries will close for the season or at least cut back on their hours. That means this weekend serves as a last hurrah for browsing some fine local art, or, if you had your eye on a particular piece throughout the season, perhaps making a purchase. Galleries all operate a little differently, but some refresh their artist rosters annually, and artists often swap out pieces from year to year, meaning that an artwork that was in a gallery this season may be gone by next season.

Here are just a few suggestions for stops this weekend. This is not an exhaustive list by any means – Door County is well known for its art, after all! – so also refer to the smaller stories, gallery listings and events calendar in this week’s Peninsula Pulse to find more ideas about where to go and what to see.

Edgewood Orchard Galleries

The last day of Edgewood Orchard Galleries’ 50th season is Sunday, Oct. 27, so stop by for their closing reception Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm each day. Celebrate the end of this milestone anniversary season with refreshments, hors d’oeuvres and camaraderie. It’s also the last two days of the galleries’ annual Gifts from the Heart exhibit, which features smaller artwork that’s exceptional for gift-giving: smaller paintings, glass snowmen and other holiday-themed pieces. Holiday gift wrapping is included. 

If you can’t make it this weekend but are interested in some of the artwork, call 920.868.3579 or email [email protected]. The gallery will reopen in May 2020. 

Ellison Bay Fall Art Crawl

Ellison Bay is home to a special community of artists, craftspeople and galleries that will host the annual Ellison Bay Fall Art Crawl on Oct. 26 and 27, 10 am – 5 pm. Tour the town’s businesses, and enjoy gallery demonstrations, locally made cider, small-batch coffee and granola, refreshments, prize drawings and new work. For more information and a map of the participating venues, go to facebook.com/EllisonBayArts.

CLAY BAY POTTERY

David and Jeanne Aurelius and their staff will show new bowls, ladies, pitchers, lamps and mugs. Fellow potters Mary and Peter Deneen, Peder Hegland, Martha Winter and Kristine Landreman will also have pots for sale. Enjoy Kick Ash Coffee and cookies while you shop, and sign up to win a Clay Bay mug.

TURTLE RIDGE GALLERY/BOUTIQUE

Check out the newly opened Art Space, watch resident artist Mary Ellen Sisulak demonstrate her distinctive method of painting on leather and incorporating stones into her compositions, browse a large selection of matted and framed prints, enjoy refreshments, and sign up for a drawing.

GILLS ROCK POTTERY

Join Judy and Thor Thoreson for Thor’s turkey sandwiches – made in their wood-fired oven – and take a peek at their latest pottery, beautiful table linens and woodenware.

ROB WILLIAMS STUDIO GALLERY

Check out Williams’ latest paintings; enjoy refreshments, cupcakes and coffee; sign up for a chance to win an original watercolor; and pick up a complimentary 2020 desk calendar.

THE CLEARING

The Clearing is celebrating its 84th anniversary this year. The bookstore, gift shop and entire 128-acre campus will be open Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm, for browsing, touring and hiking. Volunteers will demonstrate their arts and crafts in the Jens Jensen Center both days and serve homemade cookies. 

ELLISON BAY POTTERY

John Dietrich and Diane McNeil, who are celebrating their gallery’s 45th anniversary, will show new works and glazes, including Dietrich’s signature goblets and lanterns, baking dishes, bowls, candle holders, ikebana vessels and vases, and new raku fish. You’ll also find Jeanne DeBruin’s bird paintings, Joanne Kirkland’s pottery, and paintings by Thomas and Margaret Dietrich in the gallery. Enter to win a beautiful piece of pottery, and watch John Dietrich demonstrate throwing techniques both days. 

ISLAND ORCHARD CIDER

Stop in to taste interesting new releases and explore various cider styles. Island Orchard Cider has recently started producing cider vinegars as well, so try a shot of vinegar after your hard-cider tasting.

DOOR COUNTY LOVE ARTISAN GRANOLA/KICK ASH COFFEE

After touring all the galleries, warm up with a cup of freshly roasted Kick Ash coffee, and sample the artisan granolas. On Sunday, 3-6 pm, Kick Ash will collaborate with Door County North for a community Halloween party: hot cider, pumpkin carving and crafts for the entire family.

Soulful Art Gallery

This gallery, located inside The Pearl of Door County, is one of the county’s newest art spaces and worth a stop if you’re interested in the local art scene. The Pearl of Door County is a space where people gather for workshops centered around creativity, empowerment, self-healing and building consciousness, but it’s also a gallery for familiar and emerging Door County artists. Among them are Jeanne Kuhns, Liz Butler, Pretty War Jewelry by Melissa Clark and Bethany Kirwen. Throughout October, most of the artwork is discounted 20 percent. 

The Pearl of Door County is in Sturgeon Bay’s Fairfield Building, on the corner of Third Avenue and Michigan Street. It’s to the left at the bottom of the stairs. It’s open Thursday and Friday, 10 am – 6 pm; Saturday, 9 am – 6 pm; and Sunday, 9 am – 12 pm.