Make some plans for the perfect spring day in Door County when you check out some the art and culture that will revive your spirits after a l-o-o-o-n-n-g winter. These are some of my favorite galleries to see beginning in May:
Edgewood Orchard Galleries (Fish Creek)
- Known since 1969 for exhibitions exploring ideas in a wide range of media, Edgewood Orchard Galleries has become one of the Midwest’s most respected art galleries.
- Housed in a restored fruit barn built in 1918, the gallery presents monthly changing feature shows, along with general exhibits of work by over 150 artists. Paintings, sculpture, glass, clay, wood and jewelry are all represented.
- The serene setting features a bricked courtyard, arbor and glassed portico with bistro tables and chairs. A tranquil sculpture garden guides visitors through the woods and gardens surrounding the gallery.
- Their 50th Anniversary season opens with a group show (May 4th – June 11th) that will include artwork featured in their new benefit cookbook available in May 2019.This opening group show will include other food, kitchen or cooking related artwork ranging from a painting of a slice of pie to a cornfield or an apple orchard.
One of my other favorite galleries is:
Fine Line Designs Gallery (North Ephraim)
Fine Line Designs Gallery and Sculpture Garden features original paintings, custom wood furnishings, glass, jewelry, ceramics and fiber art deep in color and texture. Stroll the sculpture garden around the two acres that showcases sculptures in bronze, stone, metal, ceramic, copper, and stainless steel. Unique, collectible artworks and original gifts are found indoors and out. Located on Ephraim’s north end, the gallery exhibits the work of more than 90 renowned artists. Exhibit I runs from May 24th to July 8th and features Impressionistic oil painter Shelby Keefe (she is one of my favorite artists). She says she’s passionate about drawing and depicting her subjects with honesty and well as expressiveness, stating her goal is to create “a fresh perspective to the recognizable world without being predictable or mundane.” She enjoys tackling complex subjects in her work—urban cityscapes, human figures—in the “alla prima” method, or “wet-on-wet” painting. This and utilizing an underpainting technique of complementary colors results in works that are elaborate without being overly-worked—paintings that say more with less.
Both galleries are just a short drive from Birchwood Lodge. Spring should be in full bloom, so enjoy Mother Nature’s artistry along the roads to these galleries. Maybe after your expedition, you’ll be inspired to use your creative juices to design your own masterpiece. We’re all set and ready for a great season here at Birchwood Lodge. For reservations, call 866-854-7195, or reserve online at www.birchwoodlodge.com.
