Feature image: Installation image of Women and Water. Courtesy of the Miller Art Museum.
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Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin – The Miller Art Museum in downtown Sturgeon Bay is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for the Door County community to help shape a meaningful addition to the museum’s permanent collection. As part of the Women and Water exhibition featuring the work of Wisconsin fiber artist Mary Burns, the museum invites the community to nominate a local woman water advocate or protector to be depicted in a newly commissioned woven portrait by the artist. This initiative is generously supported by a grant from the Women’s Fund of Door County, whose mission is to build, enrich, and nurture the lives of women and girls through collective wisdom and philanthropy.
Door County is a community defined by the waters that surround and sustain it—but those waters are vulnerable. The County’s fragile karst geology allows contaminants to pass quickly into aquifers, putting drinking water and the environment at risk. Local conservation leaders, many of them women, are working to protect these precious resources. The museum now seeks to honor one of these local changemakers through art.
“This portrait will serve not only as a tribute to the individual, but as a lasting symbol of the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship, women’s leadership, and the deep connection between land, water, and identity,” says Elizabeth Meissner-Gigstead, Executive Director of the Miller Art Museum.
Visitors can nominate a woman water advocate by visiting the museum and engaging with the Women and Water exhibition, on display through Saturday, July 26. Nominations will be accepted through the exhibition’s close. The selected portrait will be woven by artist Mary Burns and will become part of the museum’s permanent collection, symbolizing the intersection of local environmentalism, feminine strength, and cultural heritage.
Mary Burns is a master weaver whose Women and Water exhibition features 29 woven portraits honoring women across 20 countries who are advancing water conservation and environmental justice. Her work blends traditional fiber art with powerful storytelling and has been shaped by Indigenous teachings and scientific collaboration. The exhibition is aimed at sparking conversation around water, conservation, and the women leading the charge.
By blending visual art with public participation, the museum hopes to foster greater awareness about Door County’s water challenges, honor the women addressing them, and inspire the next generation of advocates.
“Art has the power to engage hearts and minds—and when paired with community voice, it becomes a catalyst for change,” says Meissner-Gigstead.
For more information about the exhibition, nomination process, or upcoming events, please visit www.millerartmuseum.org.
The exhibition is presented with financial support from Dennis and Bonnie Connolly, The Cordon Family Foundation, Door County Medical Center, the MMG Foundation, with additional grant support from the Women’s Fund of Door County, specifically the Barbara and Bill Perloff Fund, Ed and Adele Douglass Fund, Lutsey Family Foundation, Cassidy Family Fund, Jane and John Stevenson Family Fund, and Morgan and D’Abbraccio Fund, and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The museum is located in the Door County Library at 107 S. 4th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay. Hours are Monday 10 am – 7 pm and Tuesday through Saturday 10 am – 5 pm. Closed Sunday. Admission is free; an elevator is available to access galleries on the Ruth Morton Miller Mezzanine. For more information about the exhibits or the museum, call (920) 746-0707 or visit www.millerartmuseum.org. Find the museum on Instagram at @MillerArtMuseum or Facebook @Miller Art Museum.
About the Miller Art Museum
Nestled in the heart of downtown Sturgeon Bay, the Miller Art Museum stands as a beacon of cultural enrichment and artistic exploration. Established in 1975, this dynamic institution has been a pillar of the Door County community, fostering creativity and appreciation for the visual arts. With a diverse collection of more than 1,500 works spanning historical to contemporary, along with regularly changing exhibitions, visitors are treated to a compelling and diverse array of art. From powerful exhibitions highlighting regional and national talent to thought-provoking exhibits that explore the depths, joys, and complexities of our world, the museum offers something for art enthusiasts of all ages and backgrounds. Beyond its exhibits, the Museum presents an array of educational programs, tours, performances, and events, engaging visitors in experiences that deepen their understanding and appreciation for art. With a commitment to excellence and accessibility, the Miller Art Museum continues to foster connections between artists and the community through the creation of opportunities to explore, appreciate, and advance the visual arts. Visitors are invited to visit the Museum Store to browse a diverse selection of books, artisan crafts, paper goods, and unique gifts.