Door County Festival of Fine Arts

press release: Artistic demonstrations at art festivals may be commonplace, yet few festivals require every artist to demonstrate their craft for the public as artists do at the invitational Door County Festival of Fine Arts. The 14th annual DCFA is Saturday, August 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sister Bay’s Waterfront Park, at the northern end of the bustling downtown business district.

Each artist who participates in the annual Door County Festival of Fine Arts shows off their talent not only with finished pieces of fine art at the Festival, but by demonstrating their artistic process to the public at scheduled times during the day. This concept of demonstrations by each artist is unique to the Door County Festival of Fine Arts and brings to the Waterfront Park in Sister Bay an air of participation and engagement from the public.

“By demonstrating our techniques, I work to open up the doors that have been opened for me,” said Sister Bay-based artist Tom Seagard. “I invite people in, to their level of expression and understanding, so they too can understand the artistic process.”

Whether they travel the world or Wisconsin for inspiration, DCFA features only fine artists who call Door County home or use the peninsula as a base of operations, and who are willing to demonstrate their creative process.  As a means to engage creative minds of any artistic level, the DCFA hosts an Activities Tent, where art lovers of all ages can unleash their creativity through a variety of mediums.

“When you give children (and adults) an opportunity, they express themselves effortlessly, all you have to do is get out of their way,” Seagard said. Seagard taught art at public schools and continues to teach classes around Door County. 

Many of the returning artists have participated in DCFA for years, some since the Festival’s inception in 2003 at the Hardy Gallery in Ephraim, just down the road from Sister Bay. Over the years, the show has developed a strong reputation for high quality work.

There is live music throughout the day by Birch Creek, David & Lynn Music and Jess Holland..  Miss Door County, Hope Copisky, will also be at the Festival from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. lending a hand in the activities tent.  Returning this year, is a free entry drawing for pieces of fine artwork donated by participating DCFA artists. Anyone who attends the Festival is eligible to enter and receive a complimentary raffle ticket!

For more information, call (920) 854-2812 or visit: www.cometosisterbay.com

Artists participating in the 2016 DCFA:

Arnold Alaniz, Ernest & Samantha Beutel, Kelly Bresnahan, George Burr, Gary Chaudoir, Mary Colette, Jeanne Demers, Marcy Farber, John Hansen, Mitch Heinrichs, Polly Joubert, Brigitte Kozma, Angela Lensch, Dennis Moutray, Audrey M. Off,  Tom Seagard, Linda Shurla, Stacey Small-Rupp, Patsy Stierna, Kathie & Kerry Vavra, Bonnie Warecki.