Fish Creek, Wis. (May 11, 2020) – Peninsula School of Art (PenArt), 3900 County Road F, Fish Creek, announces they are cancelling all in-person programs and events through August 30. They will be taking some programs online and offering new virtual opportunities to fill the gap.
“In our studios, we work with our hands, and we share information with our hands. We use common tools, materials, and work spaces. Our programming is dependent upon bringing people together – in groups large and small – to learn and celebrate the visual arts in community, and it is devastating to not be able to do that,” said PenArt Executive Director Catherine Hoke.
Programs cancelled include all adult workshops, lectures, exhibitions, Summer Studios for Young Artists Programs, and the Door County Plein Air Festival.
“These cancellations represent a major financial hardship for our organization. Still the health and safety of our staff, students, artists, instructors, and neighbors will always come first, and we know this decision is the best one we could make during these difficult times,” said Hoke.
In response to these cancellations, PenArt is developing new ideas and offering virtual programs to deliver art, inspiration and community, including taking their monthly Critique Group and Conversations on Creativity online, launching a new Distant Mentorship program and planning a virtual option to the Door County Plein Air Festival.
Hoke said, “While the plans for a virtual Plein Air are still being developed. We know how hard this current situation has been for artists across the country. We would like would to do something to help them in the coming months and continue to connect our community with the artists we have invited in 2020.”
In addition, PenArt is resuming the curbside pick up of free art kits for local families, with instructions and all necessary supplies to complete a project. Kits will be available on a bi-monthly, first-come, first-serve basis at the entrance to PenArt beginning at 10am on Fridays for drive-by pick up. At this time, kits will be available on May 22, June 12, June 26. July 17 and July 31. PenArt encourages everyone to share their completed projects online.
On weeks when there is not a pick up kit available, PenArt will share an online project that can be made with items most have at home. In addition to Family Friday projects, they will continue to use social media and their website to share weekly creativity challenges for artists, virtual gallery tours, and demonstrations.
The Peninsula School of Art campus will be closed to the public through mid-August. Staff and registration information are available by calling 920.868.3455 or emailing info@peninsulaschooofart.org. Additional information on these and other programs can be found at www.PeninsulaSchoolofArt.org.