Navigation

Pets & People

“Loyal Companion Corgi,” carved balsa, by Susan Martin

“Passion for Pets”

“On occasion, the museum transforms into a children’s playground,” says Bonnie Hartmann, director of the Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay. She gestures towards a large, red doghouse at the center of the usually barren museum.

The museum walls are lined with a variety of art pieces – oil paintings, illustrations, ceramic pieces, mixed media pieces – all featuring one common theme, pets. A large ceramic bird feeder adorned with pastel-colored birds by David and Jeanne Aurelius stands in one corner; a portrait of a large 23-year-old cat by Craig Blietz hangs on the wall, along with illustrations by the late Phoebe Erickson, a painting of a cartoonish dog by Tim Nyberg, a variety of collectable stuffed animals by German artist Margarete Steiff, and whimsical prints of dogs by English artist Annora Spence. In addition, the upstairs gallery of the museum is displaying pet-related pieces from the museum’s permanent collection.

Max Britten of Appleton draws a cat at the Miller Art Museum.

“We have a staff of pet lovers who have wanted to do a pet exhibit for years and years,” says Hartmann. “We invited local artists and beyond to create artwork for an exhibit that is pet-related. We have 2D and 3D art – all very different. They not only appeal to children, but adults as well.”

The exhibit, “Passion for Pets,” is one of the children-themed exhibits that the museum hosts yearly; previous themes included carnivals, the renaissance period, and children’s illustrations.

“The kids learn about art by having fun,” says Hartmann. She points out the various activities, “There are brand new pet books children can read with a parent, grandparent, or guardian…pet games…pet puzzles…veterinary game…blocks…puppets.” She stops at a hat rack dangling with various animals – a fish, a cat, a frog – created by Jane Moeller. “Aren’t these great?” says Hartmann, trying on the dog hat. “This one is my favorite!”

The museum will also feature a corner where visitors may share a pet memory, a large table where children can create art to take home, and the Door County Humane Society will screen a video of how to adopt a pet, which will run continuously.

“Dog, on Roof, Howls at Moon,” acrylic painting, by Tim Nyberg

“Kids stay here so long,” smiles Hartmann, noting that chairs are placed at various locations around the play area for parents, grandparents, or guardians to rest.

“This is a huge project,” says Hartmann. “The museum has a sponsorship program; since there is no admission, we have to rely on those who can support programing.” Sponsors for “Passion for Pets” include the Door County Altrusa Club, Edgewood Orchard Cookbook Fund, the Townsend Foundation, Ruth Ann Ibach, Bob & Bonnie Hartmann, and Mrs. Jack Bauer.

Visitors of the exhibit are encouraged to offer a donation to support the museum and visit the gift shop, which will feature many pet-related items.

The exhibit will continue through April 16, taking up two exhibit slots. “We purposefully do that because we know how loved these exhibits are,” says Hartmann.

“Creative Power”

In the back gallery of the museum, another exhibit is opening. “Creative Power,” a traveling exhibit by Very Special Arts (VSA) of Wisconsin, features 30 pieces of artwork by Wisconsin youth and adults with disabilities.

“This is one of the very few times we opened two [exhibits] simultaneously,” says Hartmann. The exhibit is held in conjunction with Door County Reads, which is featuring Carson McCullers’ classic novel The Heart is a Lonely Hunter. Not only does one of the main characters have a disability, but throughout the novel many characters observe and experience life with disabled individuals.

Hartmann glances at the variety of pieces lining the wall, “Everything is so expressive,” she says.

Untitled, crayon on paper, by Austin Olsen

An independent jury of art professionals chose the pieces. “We have a different jury each year,” says Kathie Wagner, president of VSA of Wisconsin. “Pieces are chosen based on creativity, originality, and merit of the work.”

Open to individuals of all ages with a range of disabilities – from learning disabilities to physical disabilities to cognitive disabilities – winning a spot in the exhibit “validates their efforts and talents,” says Wagner. “It encourages them to continue making art. One teacher [of a winning artist] said that it gave the student so much more self-confidence and changed the perception of peers – those are the things we are looking for.”

Austin Olsen, an eleven-year-old from Southern Door who has classic autism, created one of the pieces on display.

“Just beautiful work,” says Hartmann, who adds that people have “observed just how full and happy he is when creating art.”

The Miller Art Museum, open Monday from 10 am – 8 pm and Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am – 5 pm, is located at 107 S 4th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay. For more information call 920.746.0707 or visit http://www.millerartmuseum.org.

To learn more about VSA of Wisconsin, visit http://www.vsawis.org.