Lake Superior has long inspired artists with its shifting light, rugged shoreline and wide-open horizon. In Bayfield and the Apostle Islands, that creative energy is not limited to gallery walls. Local studios invite visitors to slow down, try something new and make a one-of-a-kind reminder of their time by the lake.
Whether you want to shape clay, paint at your own pace or screen-print wearable art, these hands-on art workshops in Bayfield, Wisconsin, offer memorable ways to add creativity to your getaway. They are also ideal rainy-day activities, group outings or relaxing breaks between outdoor adventures.
Learn Pottery at a Historic Bayfield Studio
There is something special about using a mug you shaped yourself. Maybe it leans a little to the left or the glaze is not perfect. But it is yours, and that is what makes it unforgettable.
At Eckels Pottery, visitors can get behind the potter's wheel through the studio's 360° Community Studio. Eckels Pottery is the oldest working pottery studio in Wisconsin, and owners Dena Eckels and Pete Skoro bring more than 75 years of combined pottery experience to their classes.
"So many people have come into the shop and asked if they can have a pottery lesson, so we started offering them through our 360° Community Studio," Deanna said.
The classes make clay approachable for anyone curious to try pottery. Visitors can call ahead to arrange a two-hour session or plan a series of classes through the Eckels Pottery website. It is an inviting way to learn from experienced artists and create a useful souvenir with a story behind it.
Paint, Sip and Let Your Creativity Bloom
On Rittenhouse Avenue, Bloom combines a colorful retail shop with a relaxed art space owned by local artist Krishna Paterson. Its Pop-In & Paint sessions give visitors the freedom to choose a project and create at their own pace.
"What I love most is when people make the experience their own with the colors they choose and the embellishments they add," Krishna said.
All supplies are provided, and no previous art experience is needed. Visitors can stop in or reserve a place online, then enjoy local beer, wine or a mocktail while they paint. The experience works well for individuals, couples, families and groups looking for a fun and restorative activity in downtown Bayfield.
Screen-Print Your Own Wearable Art
Looking for a creative stop between adventures or something to do on a rainy day in Bayfield? Visit Penny Print Studio on Manypenny Avenue, where artist Kate Clark helps visitors turn original designs into wearable keepsakes.
Choose from a rotating collection of artwork, select a garment, ink color and design placement, and then screen-print the piece yourself. You leave with a shirt or other item that reflects both your personal style and the creative spirit of Bayfield.
"Everything here is made by artists and printed by my own two hands, grounded in the belief that handmade works carry meaning," Clark said.
Plan an Arts-Focused Bayfield Getaway
The creative experiences continue beyond Bayfield's studios. Galleries, artist demonstrations, open houses and annual events make the arts an important part of exploring Bayfield County, Madeline Island and the Apostle Islands region.
Plan a visit Sept. 12-20 for the fifth annual Art Escape, a nine-day celebration of the arts across Bayfield County and Madeline Island. The week begins with the 63rd annual Bayfield Festival of Arts, held Sept. 12-13 in Memorial Park along the Lake Superior shoreline. The juried festival is a long-standing Bayfield tradition that brings outstanding artists and art lovers together by the lake.
For a self-guided creative journey any time of year, pick up an Art Loop brochure at the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau. The guide includes these studios and many more galleries and creative stops throughout the area. You can also request a brochure by calling the Chamber or visiting Bayfield.org.
