Our Mission
Peninsula Art School promotes the visual arts through education, exhibitions and community outreach programs.
Our History
Peninsula Art School began its life in 1965, when artist and art-enthusiast Madeline Tourtelout purchased the three-and-a-half acres where the school presently stands. Madeline reorganized the property and named it Peninsula School of the Arts. Her passion for art, creativity and living life to the fullest gave rise to legendary stories, a wealth of creative talent in Door County and the rise and fall of several artistic ventures that coalesced into the School as we know it today.
When the School was reorganized in 1979-80, Betsy Guenzel, a dedicated art student and tireless volunteer, was appointed chairman of the art school committee. Goals for the new educational center, which would be open from July 1 to August 31 each year included instruction in art appreciation, painting, drawing and graphics. Long term goals included limited master classes for advanced students. The official re-opening of the school was on July 1, 1980. High caliber faculty established PAS' reputation for excellence in fine arts instuction: Gerhard Miller, Charlie Lyons, Tom DeWitt, and Phil Austin as well as Bridget Austin and Margaret Utzinger (Gerhard's daughter). Saturday afternoon demonstrations soon included Pudge DeGraff, Chick Peterson and the regular faculty. Many other well-known Door County artists became contributing faculty members as well.
By 1995 the success of the growing school signaled a need for more classroom space and year-round availability of arts instruction. More land was necessary to allow for growth. Abe and Ginka Cohn, of the Potter's Wheel Gallery graciously consented to sell a much-needed parcel of their land to make the expansion possible. Through hard work, generous donors and dedicated volunteers, the dream of a year-round school and the Guenzel Gallery became a reality.
In January of 2006, we acquired an additional 5.5 acre parcel adjacent to our existing land. The owners, Abe and Ginka Cohn, will continue to reside in their home and run their gallery, while we consider the possibilities for growing into our new space and serving a larger and more diverse community.
