Art in the Door
Your 2026 Art in the Door Artist Laureates
Since its inception, Art in the Door has invited artists to submit 2D work for a chance to be named one of four Art in the Door winners. Today, the program has evolved into a community-driven recognition of artistic achievement across multiple genres. After being nominated by peers, colleagues, and community members and following a public vote, we are proud to announce the 2026 Art in the Door Artist Laureates.
Meet the Artist Laureates
Wendy Cooper
3D Art Laureate
Wendy Cooper was nominated for her ability to capture the essence of Door County through art that celebrates its landscapes, native plants, and ecological heritage. Working from her Sturgeon Bay studio, The Wildflower Press, Cooper creates hand-built botanical porcelain, cyanotype photography, and pressed-flower works inspired by the region’s natural beauty. A former art professor, gallery director, and museum curator, she brings decades of creative experience to a practice rooted in observation, craftsmanship, and a deep connection to the environment.
Fred “Doc” Heide
Music Laureate
Recognized for his extraordinary contributions to music and theater, Fred “Doc” Heide was nominated for a body of work that celebrates Door County with authenticity, empathy, and insight. Since first performing in the county in mid-1970, Doc has become one of the region’s most respected creative voices. His original musicals for Northern Sky Theater, along with a catalog of acclaimed recordings, showcase a songwriter whose storytelling captures the character, history, and people of Wisconsin in ways that are both entertaining and deeply meaningful.
Dan Klarer
Theatrical Arts Laureate
Dan Klarer was nominated for the remarkable impact he has made on Door County’s theater community as a performer, educator, designer, and mentor. One of only a handful of artists to have worked with all four of the county’s professional theater companies, Dan has spent more than a decade helping audiences and aspiring artists connect with the performing arts. While many know him from his work on stage, his contributions extend to costume design, stage management, fight choreography, and arts education. As Education and Community Engagement Coordinator at Third Avenue PlayWorks, he leads school programs, teaches acting classes, and helps cultivate the next generation of theater artists.
Julie Rohn
2D Art Laureate
Julie Rohn was nominated for her contributions as a painter whose work has quietly built a dedicated following in Door County. Born in Milwaukee, she first exhibited her pastel paintings at Charlene’s Gallery Ten in Gills Rock in the late 1990s. During her time in Minnesota, she studied oil and acrylic painting at the Bloomington Center for the Arts, expanding her artistic practice beyond performance art. Today, Rohn lives in Sister Bay and exhibits her work at ARTicipation Studio and Gallery in Sturgeon Bay.
Explore the Arts in Door County
Now that you have seen the artwork and met the award-winning artists, it is time to get in the act of Art in the Door yourself. Explore the ways Door County can inspire your artistic spirit and plan your trip.
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