Why the Hardy Gallery?
Art is the reason.
Situated on the picturesque shoreline of Eagle Harbor in the historic village of Ephraim, Wisconsin, the non-profit Hardy Gallery provides truly unique experiences that enrich the cultural fabric of our community through rotating seasonal exhibitions, educational programs and special events. Learn about the artisans and craftsmpeople who live and work on the peninsula in a uniquely Door County setting. Patrons can enjoy exhibitions of local and regional artists, the much-celebrated Community Mosaic Project, take in spectacular sunset views, enjoy meeting local plein air painters in and around the gallery or even take in a concert of classical music at a Midsummer’s Music concert, held annually within the historic facility.
We aim to present exhibits and initiatives that address the needs of the local artist community, the creative enrichment of local youth and the promotion of the visual arts and artists of the Door County peninsula. Visit us and you'll see why we are known as the premiere destination for learning about the visual arts and working artists of Door County!
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Hardy Gallery Opens this Weekend!
Hardy Gallery Announces Launch of 51st Season with Wall-to-Wall Salon this Saturday from 5:30 - 7PM
In what has become one of Door County’s sure signs the summer gallery season is about to begin, Ephraim’s Hardy Gallery is thrilled to announce the opening of the 2013 summer season with its annual Wall-to-Wall Salon. The exhibit is scheduled for Sunday, May 26 through Thursday, May 30, with the annual kick-off party for the exhibition scheduled for this Saturday, May 25 from 5:30—7 pm.
The Wall-to-Wall Salon features all of the work submitted for this year’s 51st Annual Juried Exhibit, and is truly a beautiful sight, with nearly every square inch of the Anderson Warehouse’s walls filled with works by both local and regional artists. Painting of all types, ceramics, mixed media work, jewelry, woodworking and furniture building, fiber art, and much more combine to create a display that is truly a colorful and dynamic spectacle to behold.
At the end of the weeklong Salon, the entire cadre of artwork is juried through a process of careful deliberation by a diverse panel of jurors, who are all either practicing artists or arts professionals. The work that is selected will be on display for the 51st Annual Juried Exhibit.
“It’s always so exciting to receive the work for this show, as more local and regional artists push themselves to create new and exciting work,” Executive Director Elizabeth Meissner-Gigstead says. “Last year, 79 pieces were included in the exhibit and we’re hoping for another great turnout this year."
“The salon is a great opportunity for the public to see the development of artwork by both emerging and established artists before the jurying process takes place,” Gigstead says. “It’s always interesting for patrons to visit again to see which work has been included in the exhibit.”
In addition to the pieces the jurors select for inclusion, the piece that earns the People’s Choice Award will also hang in the final display. Gallery patrons are encouraged to vote for their favorite piece with this popular award. Votes are free and can be cast throughout the duration of the weeklong salon.
Both the Wall-to-Wall Salon and the opening reception are free and open to the Door County community. The gallery will be open from 10 am—5 pm May 26—May 30 and will close beginning Friday, May 31 for jurying and installation of the 51st Annual Juried Exhibit. The gallery will re-open with the opening reception for the exhibit, which is scheduled for Friday, June 7 from 5:30—7 pm.
Information about the 2013 Wall-to-Wall Salon, including the prospectus for the 51st Annual Juried Exhibit as well as other events planned for the 2013 summer season, can be found by calling the Hardy Gallery office at 920.854.2210.
Interested in submitting artwork? Click HERE to download your copy of the prospectus.
Community Mosaic Project
Community Mosaic Project
Canvases for the 2013 Project are NOW Available!
Canvases may be picked up at the Artists Guild in Sturgeon Bay, the Hardy Gallery office in Ephraim or the Dahl Law Firm in Sister Bay. Call for hours: Artists Guild - 920.743.9900 | Hardy Gallery Office - 920.854.2210 | Dahl Law Firm - 920.854.7100
The Hardy Gallery in Ephraim, WI recently announced preparations for the launch of the organization’s 6th annual Community Mosaic Project.
The Community Mosaic Project, presented in partnership with the Artists Guild in Sturgeon Bay, has – and continues – to bring together artists and community members to create a visual tapestry of public art at the Hardy’s iconic facility in Ephraim. The project will be unveiled the evening of July 19, 2013 in which the contributions of 300-plus individuals will be on display.
The Hardy is currently seeking artists and community members to submit an original 6 by 6-inch work for this year’s project. The public is invited to submit work in any medium: drawing, painting, literary or sculptural. Past submissions have included photography, three-dimensional and sculptural work, assemblages, fiber work, painting, writing, and collaborative works. Free canvases for the project are available throughout the county at the Artists Guild (Sturgeon Bay) the Hardy Gallery office (Ephraim) and the Dahl Law Firm (Sister Bay).
“We are inviting the community to create, share and celebrate the visual arts,” said Elizabeth Meissner-Gigstead, executive director. “This project has always been about telling the stories of the participants, our community,” she says. A statement from each participant accompanies each work of art.
To encourage the public’s participation, two free community paint sessions are scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 9 from 1 – 3 PM and another again on Thursday, June 13 from 4:30 – 6 PM, both at the Artists Guild in Sturgeon Bay. No previous experience is necessary and all supplies and canvases will be provided (one free canvas is available to each participant; additional canvases will be available to purchase). The sessions are free but advanced registration is required so we can ensure adequate space and supplies. Call the Hardy at 920.854.2210 to make your reservation. The Artists Guild is located at 215 N. Third Ave., downtown Sturgeon Bay.
All artwork submissions are due Monday, June 24.
It is always exciting to see how everyone interprets the canvas differently and how, in the end, the very diverse submissions blend together so beautifully.”
The Community Mosaic Project was conceived in the spring of 2007 when the concept of a public art installation was envisioned by the non-profit organization. The initial idea focused on building the work using ceramic tiles, which, for a variety of reasons presented many challenges for public participation of a large-scale work. Instead, the idea of using a blank canvas as a “tile” was born which would provide individuals with a true blank slate to manipulate as they wished. It was a huge hit and continues to grow today! The first project took place during the summer of 2008 and has grown steadily since. Its impact has been great and extends far beyond our local Door County community. In recent years the project has garnered great success, inspiring teachers and arts organizations across the country to implement a similar project in their own community. A sampling of these organizations include: A Benicia Patchwork of Art (Benicia, CA), Muscatine Mosaic Project (Muscatine, IA), Art From the Heart (Green Bay, WI), Compassion Project (Appleton, WI), Vision Mosaic Mural (Madison, WI), Small Works Project (Sheboygan, WI), Community Mosaic Project (Willison, North Dakota), Mosaic Fundraiser (Cedarburg, WI), Connections Project: A Mosaic of the Keys (Florida Keys, FL).
To learn more about the Project, purchase a copy of the book, Community Mosaic Project: Complete Artworks 2008-2009; or support the Hardy directly buy purchasing a lottery number from this year’s Project, please call our office at 920.854.2210.
Canvases for the Community Mosaic Project are generously donated by Door County’s Premiere Winsor & Newton Art Centre, The Artists Guild, LLC in Sturgeon Bay. Phone: (920) 743-9900 or visit them online at ArtistsGuildOnline.com. Without their support our project would not be possible! Please go out of your way to patronize this business whenever possible and thank Sarah and Jeff for their support.
2013 Door County Arts Map
2013 Door County Arts Map
The locally printed Door County Arts Map will return in 2013 in its usual format of a beautiful yet functional, full color, fold-out map. This clean, contemporary publication is organized by community for ease of use and is the go-to publication for anyone seeking information about the peninsula’s vibrant and rich visual arts community! The map will be available to the public by mid to late May, 2013.
