Mark your calendars for July 20-26 for the 2025 Door County Plein Air Festival hosted by the Peninsula School of Art. The festival, which is celebrating its 19th year, will welcome 37 nationally renowned artists from around the Midwest and beyond, as well as many notable Wisconsin names. Onlookers will watch as paintings come to life with each brush stroke during live painting sessions stationed at various spots around the peninsula.
“Plein Air is the act of painting outdoors and it has been a long tradition in Door County,” said Lindsay Draz, the Director of External Affairs for the Peninsula School of Art in Fish Creek.
This engaging event serves as a fundraiser for the school and each year a committee selects between 32 and 37 fine painters to participate. Alongside Door County resident Marc Anderson who owns M. Anderson Gallery in Sturgeon Bay, artists will come in from California, Texas, Maine and several other states.
“We have artists and attendees that come from all over the country that have an opportunity to celebrate and enjoy our beautiful landscape in Door County through art,” said Draz, “it’s a unique experience.”
Painting locations will be set up from Sturgeon Bay all the way up to Ellison Bay, so no matter where you are in the county, you will be able to find an artist painting. Geared for all ages, Draz says patrons will have plenty of options when it comes to taking in all the creativity.
“They can listen to lectures by artists, art collectors and judges, and watch fast paint competitions,” said Draz.
There is also a special opportunity for children to channel their inner artist during the quick paint in Fish Creek on Saturday, July 26th.
“You can stop by the art school and pick up a grab-and-go art kit for kids to paint along as part of that quick paint,” said Draz, “there’s lots of opportunities for both free and ticketed events the entire week of the festival.”
Attendees can purchase a Palette Pass, which is an exclusive ticket for VIP and behind the scenes access. The pass will also give them the first opportunity to buy the paintings crafted during the festival during the Collector’s Preview event. An Open Door Reception will also be held with all the remaining works available plus online sales will be available through August 10th.
“The Door County Plein Air Festival is a really great way to honor the arts and the beautiful landscape in Door County,” said Draz, “I’m also looking forward to bringing our community together to celebrate the arts and to raise awareness of the Peninsula School of Art.”
For the full schedule of events, painting locations, or list of this year’s artists, visit www.peninsulaschoolofart.org/doorcountypleinair.
Photo Credit: Peninsula School of Art
