Thursday, August 28 from 5:30-10pm

​

Join us for an evening at the Art School! We are celebrating 60 years as a leading innovator of creative experiences and arts education for participants of all ages and abilities in Door County, WI. 

Your experience begins at 5:30pm with a silent auction and cocktails, followed by a dinner by Thyme Catering. Energetic program and the evening will culminate with a live auction, paddle raise, and music for dancing by Big Mouth and the Power Horns.

About PenArt

Since 1965, Peninsula School of Art (PenArt) has offered dynamic workshops, classes, exhibitions, events, and artist residencies. PenArt celebrates and supports people at all stages of creative life while fostering a culture of belonging and inclusivity. Founded by Chicago artist and filmmaker Madeline Tourtelot, the School is located within the Door County peninsula on a 10-acre campus, and surrounded by stunning natural beauty. Annually around 10,000 art students, collectors, and enthusiasts travel to PenArt from around the County, State of Wisconsin, Midwest region, and broader United States. The area's unparalleled landscape and cultural community continues to inspire creativity and connection for residents and visitors, year round. 

Part of the Peninsula School of Art, the Ingwersen Farm is located on a historic farm in the heart of Door County. This uniquely beautiful and culturally rich setting is surrounded by picturesque gardens, forest, and rustic farm buildings that reflect the charm of Wisconsin’s rural heritage. At the heart of the farmstead is a collection of portraits, still life, and landscape paintings by nationally recognized artist James J. Ingwersen, whose work captures the spirit of the land and the people who inhabit it. His artistic legacy brings depth, creativity, and inspiration to this special place.

Today, the Ingwersen Farm expands PenArt’s mission by serving as a welcoming hub for community gatherings, art and nature programming, and education. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the harmony of art, history, and landscape in a serene and inspiring farm setting.

Our Purpose

The 2025 Summer Gala is PenArt's annual fundraising event. Through Silent and Live Auctions, Paddle Rise, and ticket sales, this event will raise funds to support the vital mission of Door County's leading visual arts center. PenArt aspires to become the most accessible, inclusive center for creative life and innovation in the Midwest. To this end, we have dedicated one of three primary lines of work to no-fee public programming for children and families. 

PenArt’s Family Art Days, Kids Create Exhibition, Gallery Talks, and public school partnerships offer high quality opportunities for creative expression and the development of critical thinking skills, dexterity, social skills, and other tools for wellbeing and academic success. Our public programs are offered year-round, increasing access to the arts for our community and serving over 3,500 children, teens, and adults from Northeast Wisconsin.

We believe art activities help develop essential life skills for all people, regardless of their background and skill level. We also believe that art can reduce isolation and loneliness and help communities connect across differences.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Email Director of External Affairs Lindsay at lindsay@penart.org