May 23, 2025—The Miller Art Museum is honored to announce the acquisition of Sabbath at Sea (1991), a major oil painting by the late celebrated Door County artist Charles L. “Chick” Peterson (American, 1927–2022), into its permanent collection. The work, a masterful evocation of reverence and reflection aboard a Grand Banks schooner, was generously donated by Janet and Peter Nixon and stands as a significant addition to the museum’s holdings of Peterson’s work and legacy.
The painting is currently on view in downtown Sturgeon Bay as the centerpiece of Magnus Opus: Masters of the Figure from the Permanent Collection, a special anniversary exhibition featuring more than 20 works from the collection that honors five decades of the museum’s work collecting, curating, and celebrating the visual arts in Door County. Guest Curator Suzanne Rose reflects on "Sabbath at Sea" as a masterwork of quiet conviction, underscoring Peterson’s lifelong commitment to craft, observation, and narrative. The painting anchors Magnus Opus, which highlights the figure not just as subject, but as an enduring artistic practice. Rose describes the exhibition as a celebration of mastery born from repetition and devotion—a tribute to artists who return again and again to the human form in pursuit of truth and empathy.
“This is a landmark moment for the Miller Art Museum,” said Executive Director Elizabeth Meissner-Gigstead. “Sabbath at Sea not only reflects the profound artistic vision of our friend Chick, a foundational figure in our organization and the regional art community, but it also fulfills his expressed wish that the Miller Art Museum serve as the repository for his life’s work. We are deeply honored to steward this legacy into the future.”
Painted in June 1991, Sabbath at Sea debuted in the prestigious Mystic International Exhibition at Mystic Seaport Museum’s Maritime Gallery in Connecticut, where it received the Thomas M. Hoyne III Award for best painting in the Grand Banks fishing category. Juror William F. Buckley praised the work as having “an almost palpable sense of piety.”
At its heart, the painting depicts a moment of quiet worship aboard a fishing schooner: over a dozen sailors gathered on deck for Sunday scripture. There is no storm, no spectacle—only stillness, intention, and the dignity of pause. Peterson, a seasoned sailor himself, drew from a lifetime of nautical knowledge, extensive visual research, and a profound personal ethos: that truth in art emerges through study, labor, and emotional fidelity.
“Inspiration comes from work,” Peterson wrote. That belief animates not only this painting, but his entire career. The museum has paired Sabbath at Sea with his sketchbook from the period between 1989-1991 that depicts preliminary sketches of the piece, which has been graciously loaned by the artist's family. The sketches illuminate Peterson’s artistic process, providing visitors with a rare glimpse into the rigorous and reflective practices behind his finished works.
Donors Janet and Peter Nixon shared the following reflection:
“We purchased the painting Sabbath at Sea at the beginning of COVID-19 and hung it over our mantel where it provided great solace during those uncertain and frightening months, reflecting, as William F. Buckley said, ‘an almost palpable sense of piety!’ We had the privilege to speak with Chick before his passing, who shared the inspiration for the painting: a mysterious intervention during a WWII Pacific crossing. It was a profound moment for him and remains so for us.”
The acquisition comes at a meaningful time in the museum’s history, aligning with its 50th anniversary in 2025 and further cementing its role as a cultural anchor in the region. With this gift, the Miller Art Museum now holds multiple pivotal works by one of Door County’s most beloved artists—one whose storytelling vision, technical mastery, and enduring sense of humanity have shaped generations.
“Charles Peterson’s work reminds us that the most powerful stories often arrive in quiet ways,” said curator Suzanne Rose. “His painting is a meditation on devotion—not just spiritual, but artistic. It’s about showing up, over and over, with care and intention. That’s the spirit we honor with this acquisition.”
Sabbath at Sea is on view starting May 24 on the Ruth Morton Miller Mezzanine of the downtown Sturgeon Bay art museum through September 20, 2025, as part of Magnus Opus. Admission is free and open to all.
About the Artist
Charles L. Peterson (American, 1927–2022) was a nationally recognized artist known for his maritime scenes, historic American townscapes, and nostalgic watercolors that combined realism with memory. Based in Ephraim, Wisconsin, Peterson was also a veteran, educator, and author. His contributions to the visual arts in Door County and beyond are both vast and enduring.
Charles L. “Chick” Peterson was a celebrated American artist known for his evocative maritime scenes, nostalgic portrayals of American life, and his distinctive “Memories Collection,” which seamlessly blended historical imagery with contemporary settings. Born on April 5, 1927, in Elgin, Illinois, Peterson's early life was shaped by his Swedish immigrant heritage and a deep appreciation for nature and storytelling.
After graduating from Elgin High School in 1945, Peterson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, an experience that profoundly influenced his later artistic focus on nautical themes. He pursued formal art education at the American Academy of Art in Chicago, earned a Bachelor of Arts from Marietta College in Ohio, and completed a Master of Fine Arts at Ohio University. Peterson dedicated two decades to academia, teaching and eventually leading the art department at Marietta College.
In 1973, Peterson relocated with his family to Ephraim in Door County, Wisconsin, where he was encouraged by his friend Gerhard CF Miller. Here, he established a studio overlooking Lake Michigan, drawing inspiration from the region's rich maritime heritage. His works gained national and international acclaim, particularly his maritime paintings and the “Memories Collection,” which featured ghostly figures integrated into contemporary scenes, evoking a sense of timelessness and reflection.
Peterson's artistry earned him numerous accolades, including the Thomas M. Hoyne III Award from the Mystic Maritime Museum Gallery, where he was also honored as a “Modern Marine Master.” His limited edition prints have been widely collected, and he was recognized by U.S. Art Magazine as one of the nation's top artists in the print industry. His publications, Of Time and Place and Reflections, offer deeper insights into his philosophy and creative process.
A lifelong sailor and storyteller, Peterson continued to create art daily until his passing on June 2, 2022, at his home in Ephraim. His legacy endures through his contributions to American art, capturing the essence of everyday moments with grace and reverence.
Magnus Opus is presented with financial support from sponsors Dennis and Bonnie Connolly, the Door County Medical Center, MMG Foundation, with additional grant support from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.