“Things to Do” Come Early, Stay Late & Explore

By Rosann Baum Milius, PCA Member Collector

I’m very excited that the PCA Convention is being held in Appleton & at the fabulous Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass in Neenah, WI. There are countless additional reasons to come early, stay late & explore this wonderful area. Following are just a few of my favorites. Also, see the link for a broad list of many more things to enjoy both indoors & outdoors in this special part of the US. Mileage from the Hilton Paper Valley, Appleton is noted in ( ). 

Paine Art Center & Gardens
1410 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh, WI. (21 miles) thepaine.org, 920-235-6903

A 1930’s historic estate & gallery with beautiful botanical gardens, European-style architecture, art & changing exhibits. Gorgeous spring flowers will be in bloom outside and the exhibit, “Ubuhle Women: Beadwork and the Art of Independence” will run through May 22nd. This exhibit showcases “ndwango”, an amazing new form of bead art developed by a community of women in South Africa. A special exhibit, “Paperweights in Bloom: Selections from Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass” will be in the Gothic Gallery through May 22nd as well.  

One of the largest aircraft museums in the world focused on aviation’s past & future with more than 200 historic, experimental, antique, classic & warbird aircraft along with interesting galleries & displays for all ages. 

Best known for an exceptional interactive Harry Houdini exhibit that reveals the magician’s illusions. The museum also pays tribute to Pulitzer Prize winning author Edna Ferber. Both Harry Houdini & Edna Ferber lived part of their lives in Appleton. Discover the faces and events that define life in the Fox Cities through stories, photographs & artifacts. 2022 marks the 150^th anniversary of this museum. 

 Visit Glass Artist Studios & Galleries

Michael Meilahn Studio & Gallery 
N9268 Hwy M, Pickett, WI. (35 miles) michael-meilahn.com, 920-420-2945 

“Primordial Shift: The Art of Michael Meilahn” highlighting Mick’s forty-plus year career in glass will be on exhibit at Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, April 23 through Aug. 21, 2022.  Mick’s work reflects his life and lineage of being a crop farmer.

Father & son team, Wes & Wesley Hunting are widely known for their vibrant Colorfield vessels & Optical sculptures inspired by central Wisconsin. 

Established in 1997, Popelka Trenchard Glass is a working hot glass studio & fine art gallery in Door County, where internationally known Jeremy Popelka & Stephanie Trenchard work and teach. Their main focus are cast glass sculptures with painted inclusions and murrini blown glass.

Deanna creates her unique glass sculptures & touching figurative work through the pate de verre glass casting technique. Deanna also teaches her master pate de verre glass casting classes at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass. 

  Explore Door County, Wisconsin

Just a 1.5 hour drive from Appleton is Door County, a beautiful art inspired place to explore.  The Door County peninsula is surrounded by the waters of Green Bay & Lake Michigan, it is 80 miles long and 25 miles wide. Nature & hiking can be enjoyed at 5 picturesque state parks & numerous beaches. View the 11 light houses that guided ships of the past & present. Visit over 100 art galleries & working artist studios. Enjoy the tastes & flavors of Door County at countless charming restaurants, wineries breweries & distilleries. For more fun & adventure take a 5 mile ferry ride off the tip of the Door to Washington Island, with the Midwest’s largest lavender farm and scenic smooth stone shores. Numerous resorts and quaint Bed & Breakfasts are available in Door County for a relaxing get-a-way. 

Learn More about the 2022 Convention