Photo Gallery

Cherries Jubilee: Celebrating 22 Years of Public Art in Sturgeon Bay

We’re celebrating 22 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 all summer long until Harvest Fest.

All 24 cherries will be auctioned off on Saturday, September 17, 2022. You'll once again be able to bid on your favorite throughout the summer using the link below. You’ll get notifications if someone outbids you, and you can bid from the Handbid app if you're unable to join us in person.

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 22 Years of Public Art in Sturgeon Bay, call 920.743.6246 or email rachel@sturgeonbay.net. 

To bid on any of the Cherries, please visit the Handbid website! The auction will close promptly at 5:30 PM on Saturday, September 17, 2022.

All cherries will be on display on the Streets of Downtown Sturgeon Bay now through shortly before Saturday, September 17, 2022 when they are moved to the auction area.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Nicolet National Bank, for their incredible support of Sturgeon Bay Public Art! We couldn't do what we do without the support of our community partners and we are beyond grateful.

2022 Cherries

Joyous Flight

Jeanne Kuhns
Quantum PC Services
619 N. 8th Avenue 

I was inspired by the ever comforting metamorphosis of the Monarch Butterfly, an example nature so freely allows us to observe if you find some milkweed plants in your yard. With so much tragedy in the world, the life cycle of these beautiful beings shows that with time and a willing spirit, great change is possible. We can create a world where all people can find their "Joyous Flight."

Autumn is Calling

Paula Hare
Monticello on Jefferson
715 Jefferson Street

The air in Sturgeon Bay and Door County during the fall season has a crisp, cool feel and that means fall leaves show beautiful shades of red, orange, lime green, magenta and yellow. The Wisconsin State tree – The Sugar Maple, is found in abundance in Door County woodlands and is famous for its vibrant fall color. Ranging from gold to orange and scarlet, the Sugar Maple is a sight to behold. My 2022 Cherry highlights the beauty, vivid colors and splendor of the fall season in Door County. I use paint to mimic cloisonne enameling. The entire cherry is clear coated with automotive-grade UV clear coat that will withstand all weather conditions. As in previous years, Paula Hare will also provide the highest bidder with a small companion piece.

Sunshine's Kisses

Misty Witt
Nicolet National Bank
236 N. 4th Avenue

SUNFLOWERS!!! The name alone brings a smile to everyone's face. As an artist anytime I came upon a field of sunflowers I would stop and gaze at the beauty and aura they evoke. They fill a soul with warmth, comfort and hope. I've been seeing more and more sunflowers being grown in the area. I believe this is not only for their beauty but also they provide a great source of food for the birds, especially the song birds. So sunflowers are not just pleasing to the eyes but also provide music to the ears. So next time you see a field of sunflowers- stop and take a few moments to enjoy and soothe the soul.

Spinnakers on the Bay

Jerry Richter
On Deck Clothing Co.
265 N. 3rd Avenue

Local resident and Door County Artist Jerry Richter has been painting his interpretations of Door County life for over 25 years. His work has been a part of numerous Door County fundraiser auctions by painting on benches, sturgeons, chairs and cherries. He is also well known for painting murals in the Door County Maritime Museum and the Cinema 6 Theater. Many residents and non-residents have enjoyed his works in their homes and in their businesses. This cherry, “Spinnakers on the Bay” represents his passion for 75 years of sailing!

Attention to DeTail

Natalie Townsend
Door County Eye Associates
165 N. 3rd Avenue

Peacocks are known for their elegant tails. Without their majestic plumage, they would simply blend in with every other bird. The two peacocks featured on this cherry were designed to draw attention to their beautiful tail features. “Attention to DeTail” was created using over 3,000 pieces of hand cut and shaped glass. While each individual piece of glass may not stand out - collectively, when placed in certain positions, they become part of an elaborate piece of artwork. While creating “Attention to DeTail” I intentionally fabricated each peacock to be original. One peacock has iridescent feathers fanned out to attract your attention. On the other side, I purposely designed each feather to have its own uniqueness. It is my hope that this work of art brings you joy as you admire and pay “Attention to DeTail”.

America the Beautiful

Dave Hackett
Bay Shore Inn
Clock Tower, 164 N. 3rd Avenue

Poppy Field

Nicole Herbst
Cornucopia Kitchen Shop
139 N. 3rd Avenue

I always enjoy painting flowers since they bring so much color and happiness to our world. Poppies seem to radiate positive energy and help make our world a little brighter. 

Flying Cherry

John Watry
Door County Traders
147 N. 3rd Avenue

Let’s kick the tires and light the fires! Take off in the model C-BEE fashioned after the 1932 model GEE-BEE racing airplane. It looks like it could take off at any time, thanks to a Pabst keg fuselage, snow shovel wings and a coal bucket/mason trowel tail.

While the original GEE-BEE was a formidable racer, the C-BEE (C is for Cherry) is probably better off being grounded at a Sturgeon Bay hanger.

Cool Cherry Breeze

Greg Helke
Inn at Cedar Crossing
112 N. 3rd Avenue

I work in the HVAC field and we specialize in geothermal heat pumps. When I saw the copper from one of the heat exchangers we were recycling at work inspiration hit me and the idea for my cherry design was born. The blossoms inside are to show the full life cycle of a cherry as I was giving the recycled copper a second chance for a full life. I hope you enjoy my sculpture as much as I enjoyed making it. 

Geode

Robert L. Soukup
Westwood Shores Waterfront Resort
Marketplace by Bliss, 58 N. 3rd Avenue

A variety of glass and UV resin cast around LED lit core.

My Sweetheart's the Man in the Moon

Patricia Webster
Dancing Bear
13 N. 3rd Avenue

The sun goes down. The moon comes out. Cats appear in orchards and moths circle overhead. Cows fly! Write your own story...make it a good one. .

Visions

Karin Miller Knutson
Door County Candy
12 N. 3rd Avenue

I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a kid. I still never know what’s going to pour out of the other end of the brush, but that’s what makes creating so fulfilling. Everyone is an artist, and there is art everywhere you look. You just have to look.

Fungus Among Us

Collin Richter
Stangel Accounting & Tax 
354 Michigan Street

My design is based on the fragile, whimsical, strange, and diverse characteristics of nature. When wandering the woods you can always expect to see delicate, curious, and beautiful things. These details of nature make me walk a little slower in the forest and think about the different roles each organism plays. With my design: Fungus Among Us, my hope is to showcase the little things like moss and mushrooms that are sometimes overlooked, and draw attention the part they play in the bigger picture. We are all part of nature and we need to do our best to protect it. The forest is a huge part of my life, and brings peace and wonder to anyone who visits.

A Butterfly Tail

Bryce Remy
ERA Starr Realty
14 S. 3rd Avenue  

A Butterfly Tail tells the story of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. Every stage of the butterfly metamorphosis can be spotted on the cherry. This glass mosaic piece has bright & reflective colors that will make your heart flutter. 

Our Youth of Door County

Alexis Stephan & the Boys & Girls Club of Door County
Holiday Music Hotel
30 N. 1st Avenue  

This piece was created by staff and members of the Boys & Girls Club. Staff and kids, grades K-5th, each created a glass square and got to place their hand prints into the bottom half of the cherry. Glass was donated and fused by Doug & Barbara Henderson. The top half features Door County paintings by BGC Arts Coordinator, Alexis Stephan.

The Heart of a Cherry

Emily Anne Paul
Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center 
107 N. 1st Avenue  

This year, I chose to step away of the template cherry and try a free form. Usually I spend a long time brainstorming ideas, researching materials, and trying to make a decision. Not this time. The idea for The Heart of A Cherry hit me suddenly when my family and I were shopping the vendors at Pumpkin Patch Fest last October. A local vendor had a booth full of beautiful wind spinners and my husband mentioned how cool it would be to have one inside a cherry. That’s all it took to see the finished product and name immediately in my mind. Once my father-in-law offered to help me with the welding, I knew this was going to be it. A simple design that I was proud to offer for this years Cherries Jubilee.

I could not have executed this idea without his help and it was really special for me to do this with him. My in-laws are the only parents I have now, and to share something I love with them means more to me than I can express.

My heart is always in my art and the support I have from my family is why I continue to try new things, take chances, and step out of my artistic comfort zone.

Fowl Play

Ken Klopack
Door County Maritime Museum 
120 N. Madison Avenue  

The cherry art represents a variety of Midwest birds that I have researched for the project. I hope everyone enjoys seeing all the birds on the cherry as much as I enjoyed creating them.

A little magic can take you a long way

Annie Larsen
Bay Shore Outfitters 
59 N. Madison Avenue   

This work of art has been proposed several times and I finally dared to make it happen. As a high school art teacher, my classes look at the works of Tim Burton and I used this experience as a teachable moment and demonstrated the development of an idea. So here it is "marvelous pigs in satin."

Cherry Bomb

Mike & Tammy Easton 
Madison Avenue Market 
25 N. Madison Avenue   

Mike is a sign fabricator and collaborates with his lifelong artist wife, Tammy, on sculptures and artworks. Together they create sculpture which incorporates steel and glass mosaics. The glass and acrylic are recycled. Tammy has spent the majority of her career creating, using a variety of materials. Mike lends his structural and engineering expertise.

All the Summer in the Tropics Feels!

Kris 'Krissy K' Morse
Westwood Shores Waterfront Resort
Lawlss Coffee, 108 S. Madison Avenue

Door County, is to many, Wisconsin’s version of an island retreat ...beaches, bays, wildlife, friends, family and....FUN IN THE SUN! Being an artist who gravitates to all things birds in her subject matter, l looked for a bird that could ‘fit the bill’ ... Encompassing both the warm hug of the tropical land and water, while giving a nod also to the beautiful peachy, pink tones of a shiny, young cherry. The flamingo is known for its tremendous balance, often seen standing ever so effortlessly on just one of its amazingly thin legs. Sturgeon Bay is also a wonderful example of balance. A wonderful city that sits as a gateway to the wonderful ‘island style retreat’ our wonderful state has to offer. In Sturgeon Bay you will find everything for your perfect life balance…come and explore...stay long...and visit often!

Kris ‘Krissy K’ Morse is a contemporary, wildlife and nature artist living in Cascade, Wisconsin. Her art pieces are collected worldwide and are displayed in wineries, breweries, restaurants, business offices and private collections. ‘Krissy K’ splits her time between smaller art pieces and interior and exterior mural work, as well as teaching art to all ages, children - adults, with a specialty of teaching to individuals with special needs. Krissy’s work can best be viewed by following her Instagram page...where you will also find her contact info. www.instagram.com/krissykdesign

New Moon

Shari Brzinski
Kitty O'Reillys Irish Pub 
59 E. Oak Street    

I chose to create four landscapes of the beautiful places you see in Sturgeon Bay including flower fields, birch trees in the fall, and the iconic Cave Point. Each landscape has one of the four phases of the moon: full moon, first quarter, new moon, last quarter. I broke the space up with designs inspired by the Art Nouveau movement. In hindsight, painting four separate landscapes on one piece was ambitious, but I am always up for a challenge! 

A Stowaway in Sturgeon Bay

Renate Gregory
Nightingale Supper Club 
Graham Park, 10 Pennsylvania Street   

"A Stowaway in Sturgeon Bay" was inspired by all the beautiful sights along the waterfront in the Sturgeon Bay area. My biggest challenge was to select only five scenes to paint. I attempted to create realistic scenes that one may see while touring this area by boat, peeking out of a porthole. Using acrylic paint, the background was painted to look like richly stained cherry wood. The portholes are painted with a metallic acrylic. The scenes that I chose are the Michigan Avenue Bridge, John Purvis Tug, the Arthur Anderson cargo ship in the canal by the Coast Guard Station, Pierhead Lighthouse and Cave Point. All of the scenes are painted with acrylic paint and the entire cherry is sealed in several coats of varnish.

Whimsical Sunflowers

Monica Ramirez
Open Door Pride 
Martin Park, 207 S. 3rd Avenue    

Vibrant and colorful abstract compositions interpreted as scenes of a whimsical Door County. Textured bright colors are a reflection in all scenes. 

Vintage Cherry

Margaret Lockwood
SOMI Gallery, 39 S. 3rd Avenue   

I love vintage fabrics and wallpaper, especially the repeated 2 dimensional patterns and the distinct color combinations. Cherry tree branches with leaves and cherry bunches were a fun subject to translate into a vintage style design.

Cherry Emoji

Meg Lionel Murphy