July 11, 2025 — The Miller Art Museum is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for the Door County community to help shape a meaningful addition to the museum’s permanent collection. As part of the Women and Water exhibition featuring the work of Wisconsin fiber artist Mary Burns, the museum invites the community to nominate a local woman water advocate or protector to be depicted in a newly commissioned woven portrait by the artist. This initiative is generously supported by a grant from the Women’s Fund of Door County, whose mission is to build, enrich, and nurture the lives of women and girls through collective wisdom and philanthropy.
Door County is a community defined by the waters that surround and sustain it—but those waters are vulnerable. The County’s fragile karst geology allows contaminants to pass quickly into aquifers, putting drinking water and the environment at risk. Local conservation leaders, many of them women, are working to protect these precious resources. The museum now seeks to honor one of these local changemakers through art.
“This portrait will serve not only as a tribute to the individual, but as a lasting symbol of the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship, women’s leadership, and the deep connection between land, water, and identity,” says Elizabeth Meissner-Gigstead, Executive Director of the Miller Art Museum.
Visitors can nominate a woman water advocate by visiting the museum and engaging with the Women and Water exhibition, on display through Saturday, July 26. Nominations will be accepted through the exhibition’s close. The selected portrait will be woven by artist Mary Burns and will become part of the museum’s permanent collection, symbolizing the intersection of local environmentalism, feminine strength, and cultural heritage.
Mary Burns is a master weaver whose Women and Water exhibition features 29 woven portraits honoring women across 20 countries who are advancing water conservation and environmental justice. Her work blends traditional fiber art with powerful storytelling and has been shaped by Indigenous teachings and scientific collaboration. The exhibition is aimed at sparking conversation around water, conservation, and the women leading the charge.
By blending visual art with public participation, the museum hopes to foster greater awareness about Door County’s water challenges, honor the women addressing them, and inspire the next generation of advocates.
“Art has the power to engage hearts and minds—and when paired with community voice, it becomes a catalyst for change,” says Meissner-Gigstead.
June 20, 2025 – The Miller Art Museum is excited to announce the return of its annual Art & Treasures Fundraiser, opening to the public on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Celebrating 20 years in 2025, this signature event draws a collecting community of art lovers and treasure-seekers, offering a well-curated assortment of original fine art, vintage décor, books, collectibles, compelling curiosities, art supplies, and more. Contributions of new or gently used items are welcomed. Proceeds from the sale directly support the art museum’s operations. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment weekdays between 10 a.m.–4 p.m., or on Saturdays during museum hours between 10 a.m. –5 p.m., and deliver items boxed or bagged for easy handling. Appointments can be made by contacting the museum office at 920.746.0707 during normal business hours. A full list of accepted items and drop off guidelines can be found at millerartmuseum.org.
“We’re always grateful—and honestly, a little in awe—of the generosity we see each year through our Art & Treasures Fundraiser,” said Elizabeth Meissner-Gigstead, executive director. “It’s a really unique event made special by our community who contribute such thoughtful, high-quality items. Every donation and every purchase ensures that our work continues to thrive and that the museum remains a vital space for exploration of the visual arts and connection in Door County.”
Art & Treasures offers something for everyone. From fine art and décor to vintage and antique finds, and creative curiosities, the sale promises something unique for every collector, art enthusiast, and treasure seeker. The 2025 event will take place at the Miller Art Museum, located at 107 S. 4th Avenue in downtown Sturgeon Bay, and will run through Saturday, July 26, 2025.
June 13, 2025 – The Miller Art Museum has announced that its call for submissions for the 50th Juried Annual Exhibition, is now open. The longstanding exhibition is open to emerging and established artists, inviting entries from artists aged 18 and older who live and work in Wisconsin. The exhibition will be on view this fall in downtown Sturgeon Bay.
Celebrating five decades in 2025, the Miller Art Museum’s Juried Annual is one of the longest-running juried visual art exhibitions in the state. It offers artists from across Wisconsin a meaningful platform for statewide recognition, the opportunity to network among peer artists, and visibility to a highly engaged and supportive audience in Door County—a destination widely known for its vibrant arts community.This year’s call for entries mirrors the success of past exhibits—such as the 49th, which featured work by 69 artists from across the state. Participants are eligible for nearly $2,000 in cash awards, including the prestigious Gerhard Miller Award of Excellence and the Bonnie Hartmann Award for Outstanding Creativity.
June 6, 2025 - The Miller Art Museum in downtown Sturgeon Bay is pleased to announce Douglas Pendleton as its 2025 Dome House Al & Mickey Quinlan Artist in Residence. Pendleton, a Detroit-based painter, will be in residence on the Door Peninsula from August 3 – September 28, 2025.
Now entering its fifth year, the Dome House Artist Residency Program honors the legacy of artist and Dome House visionary Al Quinlan. Designed as a creative retreat for working artists, the Museum’s program supports early- to mid-career visual artists from across the Midwest by offering time, space, and resources to pursue new work in an immersive and inspiring environment.
Pendleton was selected from a competitive pool of 40 applicants by the museum’s Artist Selection Committee and will receive a $500 stipend as well as access to the 5,073-square-foot live/work Dome House. His residency will culminate in a public program and presentation of new work in late September.
“The opportunity to work in Door County represents a meaningful chance to shift the rhythm of my practice and deepen my relationship with painting from observation,” said Pendleton. “I plan to immerse myself in the landscape—spending extended periods working en plein air—and reflect on how that direct engagement can inform my studio work. Ultimately, I hope to develop large-scale work that weaves together figurative elements with visual language drawn from place.”
June 6, 2025—As the Miller Art Museum celebrates its 50th year serving Door County and the surrounding region, the organization is proud to announce two key additions to its team, reinforcing its commitment to the Peninsula’s creative community. Door County-based artist and creative professional Leah Karrels has been named the new Dome House Artist Residency Program Coordinator for the Dome House Al & Mickey Quinlan Artist Residency, which is presented in collaboration with the Quinlan family, and William Patterson University student Abigail Herring has been appointed as the museum’s Summer 2025 Curatorial Intern.
“These appointments reflect a larger vision for the museum’s future,” said Elizabeth Meissner-Gigstead, Executive Director. “We’re entering a new chapter at the museum—one that requires thoughtful, talented people to help bring our developing programs to life. These appointments are not just about filling roles—they’re about expanding our impact.”