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Cherries Jubilee: Celebrating 21 Years of Public Art in Sturgeon Bay

We’re  excited to announce our 2021 Street Art Project will again be  Cherries Jubilee! We’re celebrating 21 years of public art in Sturgeon Bay in the best way possible – with cherries! This unique collaboration of art and community has been created to beautify the streets of Sturgeon Bay until September. Artists from across the Midwest have been dreaming of Cherries Jubilee since January and cannot wait to show off their hard work.

All 25 cherries will be auctioned off and you can bid on your favorite throughout the summer using the link below. You’ll get notifications if someone outbids you, and you can even watch the live auction on September 18 from the Handbid app.

Pick up a Cherries Jubilee Walking Map at the Destination Sturgeon Bay Welcome Center or download one electronically here. You can explore Downtown Sturgeon Bay and the Cherries with the family or on your morning walk.

For more information on the Cherries Jubilee Street Art Project, Celebrating 21 Years of Public Art in Sturgeon Bay, call 920.743.6246 or email carly@sturgeonbay.net. 

To bid on any of the Cherries, please visit the Handbid website! The auction will close promptly at 6 PM on Saturday, September 18, 2021. 

All cherries will be on display on the Streets of Downtown Sturgeon Bay from mid-May leading up to the 21st Annual Street Art Auction on Saturday, September 18, 2021.

The Bridge

Artist: Adam Steuck
Sponsor: Nicolet National Bank
Location: Nicolet Bank
SOLD: $4200

Title inspired by an excerpt from Nature-Speak, written by Ted Andrews. 

“It’s appearance [the cherry tree] as a sign or messenger in Nature is a reminder that rebirth always follows death. It alerts us to be open in consciousness for new insights. The tree tells us that we are on the threshold of a new awakening. It is up to us though to cross that new threshold.” 

This Cherry is hand carved from a solid Maple block. It has a diameter of 12 inches and a marine grade finish. Stem and leaves are hand formed from copper and brass with a beautiful patina finish. This piece comes with two custom fabricated metal stands, one tall stand for the outdoors and one short stand for the indoors. 

Project Curator: Adam Steuck (Metal Fabrication & Wood Finishing)

Artists: Jared Nellis (Wood Carving), Angela Lensch & Tony Bessen (Copper & Brass) 

You Belong

Artist: Amy Mietzel 
Sponsor: Open Door Pride
Location: Martin Park
SOLD: $800

Amy Mietzel's lifetime love of art began with a cigar box full of crayons in her grandmother's basement. Amy has shared her love of art with others by earning a teaching degree and teaching young artists in grades K-8 for over 20 years. Amy was instrumental in bringing student art into the Madison community with shows at the Steenblock Gallery of Photography, the Overture Center for the Arts, and the monumental billboard project through Dane Arts called, "Honoring Imagination," which showcased middle school visual art on billboards around the city.

As a working artist, Amy has exhibited her own personal art at the Common Wealth Gallery in Madison, through the Madison Arts Commission in the Mayor's Conference Room, at the Monroe Performing Arts Center in Monroe, Wisconsin and at Caestaker Gallery at Ripon College in Ripon, Wisconsin.

Recently, Amy's newest adventures in art led to the creation of Bare Knuckle Arts, a small independent art center with a big heart. Here she teaches visual arts to kids, big kids, and adults. She also does residencies and community facilitated art projects in the city of Madison and surrounding areas.

A-maze-ing

Artist: Annie Larsen 
Sponsor: Dancing Bear
Location: Dancing Bear
SOLD: $1300

My inspiration for my cherry, A-maze-ing, comes from the many memories I've shared in Door County. From the lighthouses to P.C. Junction, golf courses, and wineries, I've done it all! My cherry features two mazes, one by land and one by water. Can you finish both of them?

Sunset Sail

Artist: Ceal Swift 
Sponsor: Door County Maritime Museum
Location: Door County Maritime Museum
SOLD: $1200

I am a New Englander who loves to paint sea/landscape in acrylic which are inspired by my many travels. My cherry inspiration came from the amazing sunsets I’ve seen while visiting Door County. This will be my 4th time participating in street art projects, twice in Sturgeon Bay and twice in Egg Harbor. I’ve really enjoyed these projects as it can be quite challenging painting a landscape in the round or once even a fish. I’m looking forward to visiting in September and hope others can enjoy Door County this summer.

Cherry Old Fashioned 

Artist: David LaMela 
Sponsor: Cedar Crossing Restaurant & Bar
Location: Cedar Crossing
SOLD: $3400

David came to Sturgeon Bay from Southern California when he was stationed here for his last tour of duty with the Navy.  With his 40+ years of experience as a welder he utilizes his talents to create functional and decorative pieces of art and furniture.  Working with metal, stone and other natural materials, David creates one-of-a kind, hand-crafted pieces for his clients.  His work can be seen throughout Door County both on commercial buildings and private residences. After retiring and moving to Sturgeon Bay, he was especially inspired to create Street Art as a means of giving back to the community.  His design for the cherry is based upon old world techniques utilizing hand wrought steel. In addition, David’s cherry has a powder coat finish rather than paint, for extra durability in the Door County weather.

The Dark Side of Sweet 

Artist: Emily Anne Paul
Sponsor: Corner Café
Location: Corner Café
SOLD: $800

A lot of my art consists of more realistic drawings and I don’t often dive into abstract art.  With paint, however, I feel I have that ability to not be so “perfect”.  This is why I love acrylic pouring so much.  It forces me to give up a lot of control and be at the mercy of how the paint moves.  For this year’s project, I wanted to incorporate a pour somehow, but not make it the whole aspect of the cherry.  I did a lot of brainstorming and drawings to finally come up with a design I felt would allow me to do a pour and still have another dynamic that would fit in with the abstract feel I wanted to stay with. 

The Darker Side of Sweet is the name of my Cherries Jubilee project.  I chose to give it a shredded look, piecing together acrylic skins to give the feel that you could just peel the skin right off the cherry.  I created an acrylic skin that was wrapped around the cherry, then cut into it to create splits, as well as, adding strips to show the imperfection of a shredded or peeled look.  The black that is revealed from the peeled skin, is painted with a glitter paint.  I chose to add a bit of sparkle to the “darker side” to compliment the reds and streaks of gold glitter in the skin.  The gold edging finishes the look to represent that aspect of intentional perfection that I always feel my creations need.  

Hearts of the Bay 

Artist: Jeanne Kuhns
Sponsor: Novel Bay Booksellers
Location: Novel Bay Booksellers
SOLD: $1300

For me the hearts of Sturgeon Bay are a combination of the shining waters of the bay, the working boats, the pleasure crafts and the bridges that keep us connected! Our trusty tug boats, the fire boat, the magnificent freighters each with it’s own personality, and tall ships that visit are our boat community are all part our heart floating on the waters of the bay.

The Life of a Cherry

Artist: Jerry Richter 
Sponsor: Culver's of Sturgeon Bay
Location: Clock Tower
SOLD: $1100

Jerry Richter is a local resident and has been a Door County artist for the past 25 years. From benches to sturgeons and chairs, many locals and visitors are owners of his popular street art. This cherry, entitled, "Life of a Cherry", once again highlights his creative views of life in Door County. The Life of a Cherry begins with a bee and a blossom. Beautiful orchards abound throughout Door County and creat vivid images. The cherry is the star in pies, sundaes and ina a Wisconsin Legend, the Old Fashioned! This awesome cherry can be yours and this year's auction!

The Bohemian Cherry 

Artist: John Watry
Sponsor: Westwood Shores Waterfront Resort
Location: Bay Shore Outfitters
SOLD: $2700

Bohemianism is the practice of an uncoventional lifestyle. It involves musical, artistic, literary, or spiritual pursuits. 

In bohemianism, the saying goes “more is more”. 

Move them around, play around with different shapes and materials until it feels right.

This cherry is definetly unconventional. 

In the artwork titled "The Bohemian Cherry" you can see an eclectic mix of brass, steel and copper thru out the creation. 

Your eyes will explore the variety of shapes, colors, textures and patterns that adorn this cherry. 

The artwork comfortably mimics the styles, sights and tastes that make up the Sturgeon Bay area.

Four Seasons 

Artist: Ken Klopack
Sponsor: Bay Shore Inn
Location: Associated Bank
Fall & Summer SOLD: $1500
Winter & Spring SOLD: $1900

I wanted to illustrate Door County's four season and the cherry tree is the perfect symbol of why eah season has it's own defining charachteristics for people to experience. I admire Impressionist Claude Monet's well known "Haystacks" series which depicts changing season and times of day. He created colors and shapes in the French landscape that are considered visual masterpieces. Creating timeless seasonal versions of cherry trees will help those who view my sculpture that Door County can provide memorable visual experiences all year round. 

Cherish the County 

Artist: Kim Becker
Sponsor: Door County Medical Center
Location: Bliss
SOLD: $1200

My cherry design is a ceramic mosaic relief of a stylized cherry tree with raised close-up cherry blossoms and tree blooms with one large cherry at the bottom. The heart is at the center of the tree design with a heart design inside the heart created in the style of Door County “Norwegian Rosemaling”. The mosaic tree design is repeated on the front and back of the cherry and the blooming branches meander around the tree to connect and unify the mosaic maps. Cherry trees have a unique bend and twist to the branches, and I have included that interpretation in my tree design. On the two sides of the trees are detailed ceramic mosaic maps of both Door County and Sturgeon Bay. Traveling in the county has been a lifelong favorite vacation destination. The maps are key to my visual recognition of where to go in the county. We have biked most of the roads in the county all the way to Rock Island and home again over the years while eating cherries along the way. I can point to locations on the map where the cherry trees grow, where the beaches and peninsula views are the best, and where nature hikes are incredible. My love of Door County and Sturgeon Bay and our family memories of great visits inspired “Cherish the County.” There are over 150 pieces sculpted from clay and bisque fired, glazed and then medium fired to 2400 degrees. The pieces were organized on the cherry ball for fit, mortared in place along with beach glass, marbles, shells, and rocks from pebble beach! I then grouted and sealed the piece so it would hold up in the outdoors. I hope you enjoy my sculpture and Cherish the County!

Sweet Cardinal Red 

Artist: Krissy K Design
Sponsor: ERA Starr Realty
Location: ERA Starr Realty
SOLD: $1000

I have grown up with art all around me ; be it in the macrame’ hangings knotted by my mom, or the wooden creations designed and built by my dad, but mostly, the paintings, by both. My sister is also a professional artist residing in Oregon. I am proud of the talent that l have been surrounded with through my life. I, like my family, am naturally ‘self-taught’ in the arts. My passion with painting began in 2008 when l came to love the acrylic medium. I am not a patient person by nature, and this medium provided a fast drying time which led to a ‘quicker’ finished piece for me. I have also designed and painted many indoor and outdoor murals for homes and businesses. The largest of those being tha design for the side of the Artists Lofts apartment complex in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The painting adorns the building that once held one portion of the Mirro factory and the design depicts the Midwest, and also the history of of the Mirro  Company and the city of Manitowoc.

Meraki

Artist: Lori Blight
Sponsor: Quantum PC Services
Location: Quantum PC
SOLD: $900

Meraki was inspired by my love of the Navajo rug and blanket patterns. Typical Navajo textiles have strong geometric patterns that tell the story of their beliefs and lifestyles.This design was created using pieces of cut veneer that have been stained in various coordinating colors and attached to the cherry form using contact cement. The wood feather charms are an added accent to help enhance the designs visual aesthetic. The entire piece has several coats of lacquer for protection from the elements.

Birds & Blossoms 

Artist: Margaret Lockwood & Monica Ramirez
Sponsor: Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center
Location: Stone Harbor
SOLD: $2400

Margaret Lockwood - Over 30 years ago I moved from weaving tapestries to painting. To this day my works on canvas carry the memory of the warp and the weft. I paint atmospheric abstract landscapes inspired by the surroundings of our beautiful Door County. The woods, fields, sky, and water of our peninsula have become touchstones for my paintings, all oil on canvas. They are essentially about color, rhythm, and texture arising from my memories and imagination. The cherry, “Birds and Blossoms “Is a fun departure from my studio work. My partner Monica Ramirez and I painted this decorative piece which evolved from a simple sketch into what we hope is a joyful and charming and colorful contribution to Cherries Jubilee.

Monica Ramirez - I paint vibrant art on canvas with strong acrylic colors and textures. My style is distinctive to contemporary art and often layers of heavily textured paints invite viewers to experience a closer look. Collaborating with Margaret Lockwood, my mentor and friend was a uniquely fun experience. Although our usual styles are very different, making the "Birds and Blossoms" a blended beauty. Our Cherries Jubilee creation is truly one-of-a-kind.

Springtime Delight

Artist: Misty Witt 
Sponsor: Door County Eye Associates
Location: Door County Eye
SOLD: $1600

After a long winter, the anticipation of Spring is such a wonderous feeling.  It is hearalded in with the sound of birds, the splater of color with spring flowers, and the smell of the earth awakening. The best of course, the emergence of the cherry blossoms. Cherry trees and cherry blossoms ar an iconic symbol of Door County. Nothing warms the heart that seeing rows and rows of cherry trees in the full regala of white blossoms. The cascade of the blooms as they carpet the gound. This is why such an event is celebrated. 

Waltz of the Cherries 

Artist: Misty Witt
Sponsor: Friends of Sturgeon Bay
Location: Nutmeg Spice
SOLD: $800

I've been painting for many years and usually in the same medium Earlier this year, I stopped at my favorite store, Artist Guild, and came across a new paint they had in stock. I purchases a few colors and went home to try out my new paints. The next day I was running back to Artist Guild to purchase more after being up all night playing with the new find! This cherry showcases my new paints and has taught me that it's okay to try something new. Sometimes you'll be surprised what might happen. 

Always in Season

Artist: Natalie Townsend 
Sponsor: Rick & Savanna Townsend, Nathan & Sierra Welchlin
Location: Welcome Center
SOLD: $4000

Sturgeon Bay, Door County is a popular destination during cherry picking season.  Being a local resident, I get to enjoy every season here in Sturgeon Bay.  I want others to experience all the seasons this wonderful community I call home has to offer.  Over 3,000 pieces of glass were used to create this mosaic cherry that depicts all four seasons.  Each piece of glass is cut by hand and carefully cemented to the cherry form.  So, even though cherries are seasonal, Sturgeon Bay is always in season.

Impressionistic Cherry Blossoms

Artist: Nicole Herbst 
Sponsor: On Deck Clothing Co.
Location: On Deck
SOLD: $1700

This contemporary impressionistic style is one of my favorite ways to paint with acrylics.  The bright exaggerated textures of color help highlight the joy and beauty of our very own Door County cherry trees when the blossoms are in bloom.  This is an unending inspiration and tradition that all can appreciate in this area.  I found it fun to paint during a time when we need a happiness focus.

Door County Forest Floor 

Artist: Paula Hare
Sponsor: Monticello on Jefferson
Location: Monticello
SOLD: $3900

Paula Hare is a native of Waukesha, Wisconsin, and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Paula is an exhibiting fine artist whose work is part of the White House permanent collection as well as displayed in a number of galleries, museums, corporate collections and juried art exhibitions across the country. She has had solo exhibitions at a number of museums and galleries including The Queens Library Gallery in New York City and Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Paula Hare has been awarded public art projects ranging from Milwaukee’s “Beastie Beat” to Madison’s well-received “Bucky on Parade” public art project. She is also the official restoration artist for Dennis Pearson’s well-known outdoor sculptures: “Beasties.”  “Living in an old-growth forest in Ozaukee County has enabled me to research and understand native wildflowers and plants. My favorite Wisconsin wildflowers are the Trillium and the Forget-me-not. In Wisconsin; particularly near Lake Michigan and in Door County, I have observed that the Trillium always bloom around Mother’s Day and carpets the forest floor. My cherry is titled: “The Door County Forest Floor”

Door County Bluffs

Artist: Paula Wendland 
Sponsor: Four Seasons Cutting Boards & More
Location: Cutting Boards & More
SOLD: $1200

One of the many things I enjoy about living in Door County is how the landscape around us varies daily. I also love watching the seasonal changes come and go, and I find the sculptural curves, planes, and textures of our bluffs especially inspiring. I decided to celebrate all of these elements in my design. I thought it would be fun to employ a textured underpainting techniqure in order to emphasize the rocky surfaces of the bluffs. 

Adventures with Ma Cherrie

Artist: Renate Gregory 
Sponsor: Holiday Music Motel
Location: Holiday Music Motel
SOLD: $1200

Time to go on an adventure and make some new memories! Door County is a highly sought-after camping destination with nature's beauty all around.  This 75-mile long peninsula, located between the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, is known as one the nation's premier vacation destinations and is often referred to as The Cape Cod of the Midwest. Many locals, including my husband and me, enjoy camping  in our own backyard with numerous, pristine, private campgrounds, 5 state parks, 10 lighthouses, The Ice Age National Scenic Trail, The Ahnapee State Trail, and a dark park with an occasional sighting of the Northern Lights.I would like to thank my husband for encouraging me to do these designs, which were inspired by our traveling adventures in our Vintage Cruiser Travel Trailer.  When our travels take us out of the county and around this beautiful country of ours, the Sturgeon Bay destination sign is always a welcome sight on the return trip, knowing we are just 10 minutes from home, richer with new memories from our adventures.  For others, the Sturgeon Bay sign means that they are close to their destination and that their adventures are about to begin.

Where Golden Bees Thrive

Artist: Shari Brzinski 
Sponsor: Cornucopia Kitchen Shop
Location: Cornucopia
SOLD: $2000

For my cherry sculpture, I chose an iconic scene of a perfectly ripe cherry field glowing in the warm sun. I highlighted, through hand-sculpted bees and a golden honeycomb pattern, the essential partnership that cherry trees have with honey bees. The cherry blossoms provide bees with the nectar they need to create honey and at the same time the bees play a vital role in the pollination of the cherries.  As visitors of these cherry fields where the honey bees work freely, we are gifted with beauty and sweetness that captivates all of our senses. 

Rags and Bones Black Cherry

Artist: Sienna 
Sponsor: Stangel Accounting & Tax Office, S.C.
Location: Stangel Accounting
SOLD: $700

I am a 99.9 % self taught Artist that uses 99.9 % recycled and found objects materials. My favorite toy was always my imagination. It still is.  It’s my cursed blessing! I make SKULLptures© using mostly bones, organic materials, feathers, twigs, glass and metals. My art is Earthy yet Ethereal, from my very soul, unique and hard to duplicate. All of my Art and life’s I thrive on sharing it with you & inspiring creativity with a journey through my eyes! work can be found at Rags and Bones Studio/Gallery.

Cheery Cherry

Artist: Tammy Easton 
Sponsor: Door County Candy
Location: Door County Candy
SOLD: $4100

An obsession with art and nature has driven my creative endeavors. Painting was my original focus, but a stained glass class begun my fascination with glass as a medium. I began using a glass in a more fluid manner by treating glass more like paint; and a glass-on-glass mosaic process was born. I leaned how to form glass in a kiln. I soon discovered that I could incorporate sculptural elements to my glass work that would result in unusual pieces. My work often represents the many visually fascinating aspects of life.