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The Door County Plein Air Festival


  • Pennisula School of Art 3900 County Road F | P.O. Box 304 Fish Creek, WI 54212 (map)

The Door County Plein Air Festival

https://dcpaf.peninsulaschoolofart.org


July 25 - August 14

The Door County Plein Air Festival presented by Peninsula School of Art celebrates the tradition of outdoor painting with some of the finest painters from across the country. 34 artists will put brush to canvas, capturing the summer light over the waters and fields of Door County, Wisconsin. Painting from life and the landscape has long been a Door County tradition and one that has endured evolving styles. The festival’s painters bring a fresh eye to the changing lights and colors, and a variety of styles that draw from the rich traditions of plein air painting.

Listen and learn from daily artist demonstrations. Tour local partner galleries as artists paint on site. Grab a drink and stroll Sister Bay's waterfront to watch the artists in action at the sunset paint out.  View presentations by the festival judge, award-winning artists, and knowledgeable collectors. View fresh paintings at our Collector's Preview.* Children can try painting plein air during our Kid's Paint, Saturday, July 31. Watch as the artists paint the town in Fish Creek, join us for a socially-distanced silent auction, and take home an original piece of fine art.

*Denotes ticketed events, otherwise all are free and open to the public.



SUNDAY

JULY 25, 2021

10:00AM - 5:00PM

SMALL WORKS SHOWCASE & SALE

View the 2021 Small Works Showcase on the grounds of PenArt. Put your name in the hat to purchase one these small gems by the 2021 invited artists. Palette Pass holders may pick up their badges and welcome bags.

MONDAY

JULY 26, 2021

11:00AM - 2:00PM

ARTISTS PAINT DOOR COUNTY

Free to the public.

Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Fish Creek and Lautenbach's Orchard Country Winery, Fish Creek

2:00 - 4:00PM

TEA AND TALK WITH THE ARTISTS

Palette Pass Exclusive

Join us for a beverage and treat on the PenArt campus. Meet the new 2021 invited artists during an intimate Q&A.

TUESDAY

JULY 27, 2021

11:00AM-2:00PM

ARTISTS PAINT DOOR COUNTY

Free to the public

The Farm, Sturgeon Bay, and The Garden Door – UW Extension Gardens, Sturgeon Bay

6:00PM - DARK

SIP AND STROLL SUNSET PAINT OUT

Free to the public - Special Palette Pass offerings

Grab a drink and stroll Sister Bay’s waterfront and downtown to see all 2021 invited artists paint on location. All artists will bring their completed paintings to the lawn of the Dorr Hotel for viewing.

WEDNESDAY

JULY 28, 2021

11:00AM-2:00PM

ARTISTS PAINT DOOR COUNTY

Free to the public

Woodwalk Gallery, Egg Harbor, and Plum Bottom Gallery, Egg Harbor

THURSDAY

JULY 29, 2021

11:00AM - 2:00PM

ARTISTS PAINT DOOR COUNTY

Free to the public

Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, and DC Brewing Co, Baileys Harbor

3:00 - 4:00PM

LECTURE WITH THE FESTIVAL JUDGE

Tickets $10 | Free for Palette Pass holders

Join the 2021 Door County Plein Air Festival Judge Kelly Kane, editor-in-chief of PleinAir Magazine for an informative talk on the art of plein air painting. Limited outdoor seating. Pre-registration suggested.

FRIDAY

JULY 30, 2021

ALL DAY

GALLERY CLOSED

No public viewing

PenArt's gallery is closed during the day in preparation for Friday evening's Collector's Preview.

5:00 - 8:30PM

COLLECTOR'S PREVIEW

Palette Pass Exclusive

Enjoy a socially-distanced evening with food, beverage and live music; small group viewings of the Festival works; and the opportunity to purchase paintings via silent auction before the public opening on Saturday.

SATURDAY

JULY 31, 2021

9:00 - 11:00AM

QUICK PAINT

Free to the public

Watch the 2021 invited artists complete a painting from start to finish during the fast-paced Quick Paint along the streets and shoreline of Fish Creek.

9:00AM

KIDS' PAINT

Free | First Come - First Serve

Kids can join in the excitement of the Quick Paint too! Stop by PenArt to pick up your grab-n-go art kit and share your results in our newly completed children’s gallery.

NOON - 6:00PM

OPEN DOOR CELEBRATION

Free to the public - Priority viewing for Palette Pass holders

We’re throwing open the doors on our newly renovated campus! View fresh works in the gallery, tour the campus, enjoy an ice cream treat and take home a piece of Door County on canvas. All works for sale.

NOON - 2:00PM

QUICK PAINT SILENT AUCTION

Free to the Public

View the results of the morning’s Quick Paint in Fish Creek and bid to purchase a painting via silent auction.





SUNDAY

JULY 19

10:00 AM

AUCTION CATALOG RELEASE

Your first opportunity to view the digital auction catalog and plan your bidding strategy for the online auction beginning 7/27.

JULY 20-26

ALL DAY

AUCTION CATALOG VIEWING

Preview the digital auction catalog and plan your bidding strategy for the online auction beginning 7/27.

SATURDAY

JULY 25

10:00AM-4:00PM

CURBSIDE SMALL WORKS SALE

Join us for a social distance approved artwork sale on the grounds of PenArt - featuring 38 original works by this year's featured artists. View the works, put your name in the hat to purchase the painting(s) of your choice. All winning painting buyers announced Sunday 7/26 @ 5pm.

SUNDAY

JULY 26

10:00AM-4:00PM

CURBSIDE SMALL WORK SALE CONTINUES

Join us for a social distance approved artwork sale on the grounds of PenArt - featuring 38 original works by this year's featured artists. View the works, put your name in the hat to purchase the painting(s) of your choice. All winning painting buyers announced Sunday 7/26 @ 5pm.

MON

JULY 27

10:00AM

LIVE ONLINE AUCTION BEGINS

Your first chance to bid on paintings from the 38 featured artists, including their "competition" plein air pieces created specifically for the event from their location, as well as works inspired by Door County, studio works, and more! Auction ends at Friday, Aug. 7 @ 5pm.

JULY 28-AUG 7

ALL DAY

LIVE ONLINE AUCTION CONTINUES

Bid on paintings from the 38 featured artists, including their "competition" plein air pieces created specifically for the event from their own location, works inspired by Door County, studio works and more! Auction ends Friday, Aug. 7 @ 5pm.

FRIDAY

JULY 31

10:00AM

VIRTUAL KIDS PAINT

As part of our on-going Family Friday series, we're offering free pick up art kits with all the supplies for a pint-sized paint out. Pick up a kit, find a spot in Door County for the kids to paint, and share your results online #kidspaint #penartdc. Kits available on a first-come first-served basis.

SATURDAY

AUG 1

12:00 PM

AWARDS PRESENTATION

Live Stream

Join 2020 Festival Judge Randy Sexton and PenArt's Executive Director Catherine Hoke for a live online presentation of awards. Awards to be streamed via Zoom and Facebook Live. 

FRIDAY

AUGUST 7

5:00PM

ONLINE AUCTION CLOSES

Your last chance to bid on paintings from the 38 featured artists, including their "competition" plein air pieces created specifically for the event from their location, as well as works inspired by Door County, studio works, and more!

CONTACT US

920-868-3455

info@PeninsulaSchoolofArt.org

3900 County Road F | P.O. Box 304
Fish Creek, WI 54212

May to Oct, Mon-Sat, 8am-5pm
Nov to Apr: Tue-Sat, 8am-5pm