From painters, jewelers, potters, and sculptors to woodworkers and performers, Bayfield’s high-quality art scene is worth celebrating.“Art Escape” is a nine-day celebration of all things art across Bayfield County and Madeline Island held September 7-15, 2024.
Experience the arts through demonstrations and open houses, and create your own masterpiece during a workshop. The Bayfield Peninsula and Madeline Island are full of experienced artists who are excited to share their knowledge with you! Be sure to check out these artists and galleries.
Austin Miller Studio: See the World Through Watercolor
"My loft gallery, established in 1988, overlooks Lake Superior near where I was born. Superior's South Shore is a real stunner for beauty throughout all four (unpredictable) seasons. That's heady stuff for a painter. Watercolor is my lifelong medium because of its fickle nature. It begs to be unleashed, set free to flow at will and intermingle its jewel-like pigments. A fine watercolor, with its sparkling light and serendipity, brings great joy to a painter and, hopefully, to the viewer." - France Austin Miller
Stop by during Art Escape from 10-4 Wednesday through Saturday, choose a free art card, and enter to win a framed giclee of "Sundown at Memorial Park." France Miller will host two demonstrations on Wednesday, September 11, and Thursday, September 12.
Bell Street Collective and Ghost Ship Green Room: An Art Collaboration
Visitors will see Ghost Ship Gallery art in Bayfield inside Bell Street Collective's new space at 107 Manypenny Avenue (at the corner of Manypenny Avenue and First Street).
“We’re excited to try a unique partnership between two businesses that would traditionally be seen as competitors,” said Kayla Picciano, owner of Bell Street Collective “We’ve found people who love art not only visit multiple galleries but also buy from multiple galleries. The more we can support each other and differentiate what we offer, the better experience we create for art lovers in the area and the more fun we all have together.”
As Bell Street’s “gallery in residence,” Ghost Ship curated a unique space called "The Green Room" to sell their artists’ work and encourage Bayfield visitors to check out the main gallery in Washburn. Highway 13 through Washburn is being reconstructed, causing potential visitors to be rerouted away from Ghost Ship's main gallery in Washburn this summer. The road construction lead to a partnership between the two galleries.
“We’re always excited to try things and see what happens,” said Brianna Bailey, co-owner of Ghost Ship Gallery. “This is a big help to Ghost Ship, keeping us afloat and continuing our momentum during a hard season. After we get through road construction, we’ll be looking for a new way to return the favor or pay it forward.”
Check out the collaborative space during their open houses on September 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, and 15 during Art Escape.
Eckels Pottery and Fine Craft Gallery: The Oldest Pottery in Wisconsin
"My role as a potter and gallery owner is to connect, inspire, and give moments of well-being and nourishment to the user. I saw this happen while growing up. When mom invited friends and artists to our table, I watched her fill a ceramic plate with home-cooked food and a pottery cup with wine, and the room filled with conversation joy, and satiation. During the first twenty years of my career, I worked on building an identity in clay. I watched and read everything I could about making and selling pots. I copied what I saw and experimented with making, glazing, and firing. My dad taught me that finding one’s way with clay turns and twists you through many failures and successes. The goal is not the masterpiece; rather, the process becomes the masterpiece. It’s the journey and the multitude of works that reveal your artistic voice." - Dede Eckels.
Eckels Pottery and Fine Craft Gallery will host a two-day workshop this year during Art Escape Sawdust/Saggar Firing/Primitive Kiln Firing. Click here to learn more.
La Pointe Center for the Arts: Promoting Cultural Enrichment
Take the ferry over to Madeline Island during Art Escape and discover the La Pointe Center for the Arts. The organization promotes art education, showcases the arts through a gallery and retail space, produces theatrical and concert performances, creates literary opportunities, sponsors artist residencies, promotes arts in the school, provides grants, and sponsors events in the community. This has provided the Madeline Island community with entertainment, cultural enrichment, socialization, education, and empowerment opportunities that foster a sense of identity, pride, and connection.
Join them for their open houses throughout the week of Art Escape and Indigenous Art Show Reception on Saturday, September 14.
Rabbit, Bird & Bear: Fine Art & Gifts: Bayfield's Newest Gallery
Rabbit, Bird & Bear: Fine Arts & Gifts is one of Bayfield's newest galleries. Starting in Duluth, Minnesota, the gallery carries unique art and gifts made by local and regional artists with a strong focus on art made by Indigenous and BIPOC artists. Browse original art, giclee prints, pottery, quilts, wearable art, blankets, bags, plants, birch bark art & baskets, jewelry, beadwork, soaps, salves, lotions, and many locally produced foods, including maple syrup, wild rice, jams, hot sauce, salts, maple sugar, pancake mix & fish batter.
Inside the Bayfield gallery, you will find large prints from Rabbett Strickland and Leah Yellowbird. The gallery will be hosting a number of events and open houses during the week of Art Escape.
Stone’s Throw Gallery and Wobbly Woods Studio: Andy Falconer
Once upon a time back in 1979, Andy Falconer came to the Lake Superior Area. Not having an idea of what to do with her Bachelor of Arts degree from Webster University, she decided to mooch off her sister Leslie and accepted a clerking job at Karlyn Gallery (now called Ghost Ship Gallery and Art Lounge) in Washburn, Wisconsin. Karlyn soon had her working the front desk, mixing clay and glazes, throwing, taking orders, and packing and shipping. Before Andy knew it, she was hooked. A new love affair was born, not just with clay, but with the business of running a gallery and making it seem fun. In 1995, Andy opened her own gallery called Stone’s Throw in Bayfield. On occasion, when the business of running the shop seems less than fun, she throws pots and loves it!
Andy invites you into her studio, Wobbly Woods Farm on Saturday, September 14, to share her passion for pot throwing. The studio is tucked in the orchard bluffs of Bayfield, a few minute’s drive from Stone’s Throw. In addition to making pottery, she creates “window bling” which are colorful hangings using driftwood, beach glass and beach stones from Lake Superior.
Woods Hall Gallery & Studios: Nurturing a Community of Artisans
Woods Hall fosters and nurtures a community for artisans and others on Madeline Island. It's also a place of teaching, sharing and learning. Our artisans contribute their time, performing maintenance and work in the shop in exchange for an increased percentage of sales of their wares. Our members reach out to other islanders in search of the joy of creating, inviting them to join in our supportive, productive community.
Wood Hall will host several demonstrations and workshops throughout the nine-day Art Escape. Pick up an Art Escape guide, or click below for a list of all events during the week.
Come see why so many are inspired by the natural beauty of Northern Wisconsin and create your own Art Escape during this nine-day art extravaganza.
Click here to check out more galleries and artist happenings.
From painters, jewelers, potters, and sculptors to woodworkers and performers, Bayfield’s high-quality art scene is worth celebrating. Join us for the second-ever “Art Escape,” a nine-day celebration of all things art across Bayfield County and Madeline Island.
