Welcome to PenArt!
Same creative spirit. A name that reflects who we are today.
Founded in 1965 by Chicago filmmaker and artist Madeline Tripp Tourtelot, Peninsula School of Art began as a welcoming place for creative exploration on the Door County peninsula. From the beginning, it was built on curiosity, experimentation, and a belief that art is for everyone.
Over the decades, that spirit has grown into a vibrant creative community. One that brings together artists of all ages and experience levels to learn, explore, and create side by side.
The transition from Peninsula School of Art to PenArt reflects who we are today and where we’re headed next. While our original name honored our roots, it carried an academic tone that felt more formal than the experience we offer. PenArt is more open, playful, and inviting, and better reflects the creative energy that fills our studios every day.
Shorter and more memorable, PenArt mirrors how our community already refers to us. It captures our belief that creativity isn’t defined by credentials. It’s driven by curiosity, connection, and the courage to create.
Winter + Spring Workshop
Registration is Open!
Mark Your Calendars!
2026 Summer + Fall Workshop
Registration Opens in January
Members: January 27th | Non-Members: January 29th
All Ages | All Media | All Levels of Experience
PenArt has long been a creative refuge for first-time makers, developing students, and established artists to work and learn in community, exercise their creativity, acquire new skills, and explore fresh art forms.
Our visiting faculty consists of artists and educators who are the best in their field, bringing with them incredible expertise and experience, which they’re eager to share. In addition to learning from them, the collaborative nature of our studios ensures you learn from your fellow students, too.
Workshops & Classes
The Guenzel Gallery, our exhibition space, displays a rotating schedule of exhibitions of nationally-recognized artists’ work throughout the year. These exhibitions celebrate both in-process and finished work, with the goal of offering visitors of all ages insight into the artistic process and a fine art experience that feels just at home in the quiet of Door County as it would in a large city.
The gallery and opening receptions are free and open to the public.
Exhibitions & Events
Reflect, create, and experiment in a new-to-you environment.
Our Artist-in-Residence program is designed for visual artists of all career levels, and offers an immersive studio experience where artists can devote time and space to the reflection, research, and experimentation of producing new bodies of work.
The program is open to six individual artists—during their stay with us, these artists receive a semi-private workspace in our new Madeline Tourtelot Studio Building, access to our fully-equipped printmaking, ceramics, metals, and digital studios; housing; and a variety of professional development opportunities.
Artists-in-Residence Program
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Great space to learn new skills and practice art with professionals.
-Vicki
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I love everything about this place. I drive seven hours from Iowa to take a workshop every summer or fall.
-Christine
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A gem. Beautiful grounds, delightful staff, really great classes and youth camps…not to mention a lovely educational gallery.
-Nancy
UPCOMING EVENTS
A regular look into the life of PenArt.
Tag us in your own PenArt experiences by using the #PenArtDC hashtag.
