By Chelsea Langston

Imagine a region vibrating with all the color and life of a bygone American era. You need not take an imaginary journey into your favorite Norman Rockwell painting or Rogers and Hamerstein Musical because such an area still exists, tucked into a quaint corner of Northeastern Wisconsin. Door County Peninsula, with its hundreds of miles of shoreline and hundreds of years of unique heritage, is surrounded by the waters of Lake Michigan on the north and east and the waters of Green Bay on the west.

Door County is known for its strong artistic community and boasts almost one hundred art venues including galleries, museums, performing arts centers, and studios. It is rare that such a relatively small and secluded place could give birth to such a flourishing climate of artistic production. How could one county, a mere 75 miles long, hold the keys to unlocking inspiration for countless individuals? And more importantly, would I, upon entering Door Country, transcend a threshold of artistic wonder, or would the proverbial door slam on my ideological vision of this place?

On the first morning of my journey, the nondescript sky and the still breath of autumn air seem themselves a blank canvas, ready to absorb the colors, sights, and tastes of Door County. As I drive further into the heart of the peninsula, a bronzed palette of autumn colors burst onto the barren backdrop. If you want an at-once cozy and lavish lodging, do as I did and check into the suite at the Eagle Harbor Inn. What a more ideal way to transition from the splendor of the natural trails and the authentic bay views than to soak in the albeit artificial warmth of the in-room hot-tub or gas fire-place?

Now, I’m in search of an experience that will feed my artistic sensibilities as well as my taste-buds. I don’t have to venture far to find the Bistro at Liberty Square in Egg Harbor! The newly opened restaurant offered an art-deco atmosphere and a fresh, eclectic menu. Whimsical, early 20th century French posters brightened the Board room, where guests can enjoy wine, appetizers and reading the collection of quotes on the walls.

Sunset at Egg Harbor

Another must-see is the Fine Lines Designs Gallery in Ephraim, a converted barn with sculpture garden where art can blossom throughout the year, despite the harshest of winters. The gallery offers an impressive array of oil paintings, sculptures, and jewelry. As I enter this space, I am immediately drawn to Pamela Murphy’s oil and aluminum leaf canvases. Her mixed-media scenes depict nostalgic characters standing against a modern, textured metallic backdrop. This juxtaposition of modernity and nostalgia, highlighted by the clean sheen of the metal itself, is a quality that I see repeated often in the works of Door County artists. This theme of quaint-charm merging with a contemporary esthetic is epitomized at the Blue Dolphin House/BDH Studio in Ephraim. These adjoining areas display whimsical cards, colorful prints, original mixed-media pieces, wood-carvings, glass, pottery, cookware and other fine arts and crafts.

Blue Dolphin Gallery

And as I pass into the outdoors between these two galleries, I am blown away (not literally, don’t worry) by the wind chime garden, which acts as the perfect encaustic soundtrack to this serene environment. The night is complete with a traditional fish-boil at the Old Post Office Restaurant in Ephraim and a ride aboard the “trolley of the doomed” where I am treated to haunted tales of shipwrecks, light-houses, and other spirited happenings on the peninsula.

After a delicious breakfast of Swedish pancakes at Al’s Swedish Restaurant (this is one place you won’t want to miss), I set out to explore more of the wonderful art of Door County by heading to Edgewood Orchard Gallery in Fish Creek. JR Jarosh runs this gallery, which was opened in 1969 by his mother-in-law. The gallery features the bronze sculptures of the nationally known artistic team of Leslie Ortiz and Luis Montoya. In fact, when Montoya recently visited this area, owner JR Jarosh enthusiastically explains, “this world-famous artist was inspired for future work by the unique shapes, colors, and textures of the rural Wisconsin landscape and its simple farm equipment such as galvanized canisters and rope!”

The Edgewood Orchard Gallery in Fish Creek

Nestled in a brightly decorated cottage just up the road is Dovetail Gallery, owned by egg artist Kathy Beck. Beck opened the space in 1993 when she realized that there were no tributes to eggs in the town of Egg Harbor.

“The egg is a blank canvas for me,” Beck declares. The blank canvas of an egg has led to a collection of egg art from around the world including a genuine, century-old Faberge egg made for the czar’s guests on Easter and a 70-million-year-old dinosaur egg, the only one on display in the state of Wisconsin.

Dovetail Gallery

Seeing such a vast array of artists and their creations leaves me feeling inspired and wanting to try my own hand at art. After a fabulous pumpkin spice latte at Door County Coffee and Tea, I travel to the Hands On Art Studio in Fish Creek. This come-and-create art experience lets people of all ages unleash their undiscovered artistic abilities. Classes are open to the public in wood, ceramics, fused glass and metal sculpture. The studio itself, with its open feel, paint-spattered walls and charismatic staff, feed my creative juices. I dive right in, creating a contemporary set of bookends out of metal and glass. Cy Turnbladh, the passionate, master-of-all-trades owner and developer of this studio, can generate excitement in anyone who passes through his doors.

After a long day of fine art and fine dining, I check into the beautiful Gordon Lodge in Bailey’s Harbor. These amazing accommodations boast incredible views, hiking trails, a pool and a restaurant. It’s almost a certainty that once you check in you won’t want to go home!

There never seems to be enough time for everything, but be certain that you save time for the Fairfield Center for Contemporary Art, the Miller Art Museum, and Popelka Trenchard Glass Stuido, all found in Sturgeon Bay, one of the largest towns in Door County.

Popelka Trenchard Glass Studio

My next stop is the Potter’s Wheel, the studio and gallery of the famed “Grandfather of Pottery” in Door County, Abe Cohn. As I pull into the drive of Cohn’s studio, which incidentally is in its 52nd year of operation, I am greeted by a spritely elder woman who has just finished her morning calisthenics. She comes right up, introduces herself as Ginka, and leads me with the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store into her husband’s studio. I am soon greeted by Abe himself, and this engrossing couple spends the next hour chattering a mile a minute while showing me their unbelievable collection of pottery and the inner-workings of Abe’s studio. “You know,” Ginka bursts excitedly, “The Chicago Institute of Art and the Milwaukee Public Library both want this collection some day, but they were bickering over who got what, so I told them they would have to share or no one would have it!” The Potter’s Wheel proved itself worth the trip for the place, but ended up being the highlight of the trip because of the people! It is open daily from noon to five (except Thursdays by appointment) from May through late October.

Potter’s Wheel Gallery

During my last night in Door County, I take in an amazing dinner at White Gull Inn in Fish Creek. The whitefish, a trademark dish of this region, will have my mouth watering for weeks to come!

Fish Boil at the White Gull Inn

As the perfect end to the perfect long-weekend, I see the award winning original musical “Main Travelled Road” put on by the American Folklore Theater. AFT has been performing for twenty years and your trip won’t be the same without treating yourself to their world-class entertainment!

Though this trip may be over, my stay in Door County opened up the floodgates of art, inspiration and experiences I had come here seeking. But there’s plenty more to see and do here. I just can’t wait to schedule my next trip so that I can, as the folks say here, “Explore the Door” once again.

DOOR COUNTY RESOURCE LINKS

Door County Visitor Bureau
800-52-RELAX (toll-free)
info@doorcounty.com
www.doorcounty.com

Art-related Activities

Dovetail Gallery & Studio
7901 Highway 42
Egg Harbor, WI 54209
920/868-3987 (phone)
kathydovetail@hotmail.com
www.dovetailgallery.com

Blue Dolphin House and BDH Studio
10320 North Water Street
Ephraim, WI 54211
920/854-4113 (phone)
bluedolphin@charterinternet.com
www.bluedolphinhouse.com

Edgewood Orchard Galleries
4140 Peninsula Players Road
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/868-3579 (phone)
orchard@dcwis.com
www.edgewoodorchard.com

Fine Line Designs Gallery
10376 Highway 42
Ephraim, WI 54211
920-854-4343 (phone)
art@finelinedesignsgallery.com
www.finelinedesignsgallery.com

Hands On Art Studio
3655 Peninsula Players Road
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/868-9311 (phone)
920/868-9315 (phone)
info@handsonartstudio.com
www.handonartstudio.com

Fairfield Center for Contemporary Art
242 Michigan Street
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/746-0001 (phone)
info@fairfieldcenter.org
www.fairfieldcenter.org

Miller Art Museum
107 South 4th Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/746-0707 (phone)
bmam@dcwis.com
www.dcl.lib.wi.millerartmuseum.htm

Peninsula Art School
3900 County F
P.O. Box 304
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/868-3455 (phone)
920/868-9965 (fax)
cathy@peninsulaartschool.com
www.peninsulaartschool.com

Popelka Trenchard Glass
64 South 2nd Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/743-7287 (phone)
popelkaglass@doorpi.net
www.popelkaglass.com

Potter’s Wheel Studio and Gallery
3915 Gibraltar Road
Fish Creek, Wisconsin 54212
920/868-3371 (phone)
info@PottersWheelGallery.com
www.potterswheelgallery.com

Lodging

Landmark Resort
7643 Hillside Road
Egg Harbor, WI 54209
920/868-3205 (phone)
800/273-7877 (toll-free)
www.thelandmarkresort.com

Settlement Courtyard Inn
9126 Highway 42
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/868-3524 (phone)
877/398-9308 (toll-free)
info@settlementinn.com
www.settlementinn.com

Lodgings at Pioneer Lane
9996 Pioneer Lane
P.O. Box 275
Ephraim, WI 54211
920/854-7656 (phone)
800/588-3565 (toll-free)
info@lodgingsatpioneerlane.com
www.lodgingsatpioneerlane.com

Village Green Lodge
One Cedar Street
P.O. Box 21
Ephraim, WI 54211
920/854-2515 (phone)
888/471-8277 (toll-free)
relax@villagegreenlodge.com
www.villagegreenlodge.com

Bay Breeze Resort
9844 Water Street
P.O. Box 530
Ephraim, WI 54211
920/854-9066 (phone)
888/716-1285 (toll-free)
baybreezeresort@doorcounty.com
www.baybreezeresort.com

Country House Resort
715 North Highland Road
Sister Bay, WI 54234
920/854-4551 (phone)
800/424-0041 (toll-free)
countryhouse@dcwis.com
www.country-house.com

Square Rigger Lodge
6332 Highway 57
Jacksonport, WI 54235
920/823-2404 (phone)
sqrigger@dcwis.com
www.squareriggerlodge.com

Gordon Lodge
1420 Pine Drive
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
920/839-2331 (phone)
800/830-6235 (toll-free)
gordonlodge@mail.doorcounty-wi.com
www.gordonlodge.com

Beachfront Inn
8040 Highway 57
P.O. Box 398
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
920/839-2345 (phone)
866/251-0750 (toll-free)
stay@beachfrontinn.net
www.beachfrontinn.net

Blacksmith Inn on the Shore
8152 Highway 57
P.O. Box 57
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
920/839-9222 (phone)
800/769-8619 (toll-free)
relax@innontheshore.com
www.theblacksmithinn.com

Journey’s End Motel and Cabins
8271 Journey’s End Lane, Box 133
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
920/839-2887 (phone)
800/944-3582 (toll-free)
journeysend@dcwis.com
www.journeysendmotel.com

Door County Lighthouse Inn
4639 Orchard Road
P.O. Box 165
Egg Harbor, Wisconsin (WI) 54209
920/868-9088 (phone)
866/868-9088 (toll free)
info@dclighthouseinn.com
www.dclighthouseinn.com

Eagle Harbor Inn
9914 Water Street
PO Box 588
Ephraim, Wisconsin 54211
920/854-2121 (phone)
800/324-5427 (toll-free)
nedd@eagleharbor.com
www.eagleharbor.com

Innlet Motel
6263 Hwy 57
Jacksonport, WI 54235
920/823-2499 (phone)
mlautenbach@charter.net
www.dcty.com/innlet

Dining

Door County Coffee & Tea Company
5773 Highway 42
Carlsville, WI 54235
920/743-8930 (phone)
800/856-6613 (toll-free)
info@doorcountycoffee.com
www.doorcountycoffee.com

White Gull Inn
4225 Main Street
P.O. Box 160
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/868-2018 (phone)
800/624-1987 (toll-free)
andycoulson@whitegullinn.com
www.whitegullinn.com

Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik
700 Bay Shore Drive
P.O. Box 257
Sister Bay, WI 54234
920/854-2626 (phone)
800/241-9914 (toll-free)
larsjohnson@dcwis.com
www.aljohnsons.com

Hands On Market Place – Build-Your-Own Food Bar
3655 Peninsula Players Road
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/868-9311 (phone)
920/868-9315 (phone)
info@handsonartstudio.com
www.handonartstudio.com

Top Deck at Gordon Lodge
1420 Pine Drive
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
920/839-2331 (phone)
gordonlodge@mail.doorcounty-wi.com
www.gordonlodge.com

Door County Coffee & Tea Company
5773 Highway 42
Carlsville, WI 54235
920/743-8930 (phone)
800/856-6613 (toll-free)
info@doorcountycoffee.com
www.doorcountycoffee.com

The Bistro at Liberty Square
7755 Highway 42
Egg Harbor, WI 54209
920/868-4800 (phone)
info@libertysquareshops.com
www.libertysquareshops.com

Old Post Office Restaurant
10040 Water Street, Hwy. 42
Post Office Box 128
Ephraim, Wisconsin 54211
920/854-4034 (phone)
www.oldpostoffice-doorcounty.com

Savory Spoon Cooking School
12042 Highway 42
Ellison Bay, WI 54210
920/854-6600 (phone)
savoryspoon@aol.com
www.savoryspoon.com

Sister Bay Bowl
504 North Bay Shore Drive
Sister Bay, Wisconsin 54234
920/854-2841 (phone)
mail@sisterbaybowl.com
www.sisterbaybowl.com

K.K. Fiske Restaurant & The Granary
1177 Main Road
Washington Island, WI 54246
920/847-2121 (phone)
www.washingtonisland.com/koyencollection/

Schopf’s Hilltop Dairy and Dairy View Country Store
5169 County I
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/743-9779 (phone)
920/743-8577 (fax)
rox@itol.com
www.dairyview.com

Wilson’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor
9990 Water Street
P.O. Box 187
Ephraim, WI 54211
920/854-2041 (phone)
info@wilsonsicecream.com
www.wilsonsicecream.com

Other Activities

Wacky Walleye Guide Service
3798 Sand Bay Point Road
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/743-5731 (phone)
888-879-5548 (toll-free)
sandbay@newwis.com
www.sandbaybeachresort.com

Nor Door Sport & Cyclery
4007 Hwy 42
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/868-2275 (phone)
920/868-1598 (fax)
stretch@nordoorsports.com
www.nordoorsports.com

Cana Island Light House
Cana Island Road
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
920/743-5958 (phone)
920/495-9366 (cell)
info@dcmm.org
www.dcmm.org

Whitefish Dunes State Park
3275 Clark Lake Road
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/823-2400 (phone)
920/823-2640 (fax)
Carolyn.rock@wisconsin.gov
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/whitefish

Orchard Country Winery & Market
9107 Highway 42
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/868-3479 (phone)
866/946-3263 (toll-free)
carrie@orchardcountry.com
www.orchardcountry.com

Door County Trolley
9197 Highway 42
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/868-1100 (phone)
Ride@doorcountytrolley.com
www.doorcountytrolley.com

Ephraim Historical Foundation
P.O. Box 165
Ephraim, WI 54211
920/854-9688 (phone)
920.854.7232 (fax)
info@ephraim.org
www.ephraim.org

American Folklore Theatre
Green Gables Highway 42
P.O. Box 273
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/854-6117 (phone)
gen@folkloretheatre.com
www.folkloretheatre.com

Eagle Bluff Lighthouse at Peninsula State Park
920/839-2377 (phone)
info@eagleblufflighthouse.org
www.eagleblufflighthouse.org

Sail Door County
Sister Bay Marina
817 North Bay Shore Drive
Sister Bay, WI 54234
P.O. Box 148
Egg Harbor, WI 54209
920/495-7245 (phone)
pnelson@saildoorcounty.com
www.saildoorcounty.com

Peninsula State Park
9462 Shore Road
P.O. Box 218
Fish Creek, WI 54212
920/868-3258 (phone)
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/peninsula/

Washington Island Ferry Line, Inc.
Northport Pier at end of Highway 42
Washington Island, WI
920/847-2546 (phone)
920/847-1546 (phone)
800/223-2094 (toll-free)
info@wisferry.com
www.wisferry.com

The Cherry Train
Ferry Dock, Washington Island, WI 54246
920/847-2039 (phone)
cherrytraintours@itol.com
www.cherrytrain.com

The Ridges Sanctuary
County Road Q
P.O. Box 152
Baileys Harbor WI 54202
920-839-2802 (phone)
info@ridgesanctuary.org
www.ridgesanctuary.org

Door Peninsula Winery
5806 Highway 42
Carlsville, WI 54235
920/743-7431 (phone)
800/551-5049 (toll-free)
dpw@dcwis.com
www.dcwine.com

Simon Creek Vineyard and Winery
5896 Bochek Road
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/746-9307 (phone)
simoncreekvineyard@hotmail.com
www.simoncreekvineyard.com

Kurtz Corral Horseback Riding
County Road I
Carlsville, WI 54235
920-743-6742 (phone)
800-444-0469 (toll-free)
riding@kurtzcorral.com
www.kurtzcorral.com

Liberty Square Shops
7755 Highway 42
Egg Harbor, WI 54209
920/868-4800 (phone)
920/868-9600 (phone)
info@libertysquareshops.com
www.libertysquareshops.com

Door County Maritime Museum
120 North Madison Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/743-5959 (phone)
info@dcmm.org
www.dcmm.org

Schopf’s Hilltop Dairy and Dairy View Country Store
5169 County I
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/743-9779 (phone)
920/743-8577 (fax)
rox@itol.com
www.dairyview.com

Seaquist Orchards
11482 Hwy. 42
PO Box 204
Sister Bay, WI 54234
920-854-4199 (phone)
800-SEA-8850 (toll free)
seaquistorchards@dcwis.com
www.seaquistorchards.com

Sister Bay Bowl
504 North Bay Shore Drive
Sister Bay, Wisconsin 54234
920/854-2841 (phone)
mail@sisterbaybowl.com
www.sisterbaybowl.com

Door County Living Classrooms
5880 Cedar Creek Place
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/493-3000 (phone)
tours@doorcountylivingclassrooms.com
www.doorcountylivingclassrooms.com