DOOR COUNTY, Wis. — The Door County property of Jim Ingwersen includes buildings that were built in the 1860s. For local artist Ginnie Cappaert, entering his studio gave her a special feeling.
“It reminded me of walking into Cezanne’s studio in France. I had that same exact feeling,” said Cappaert.
Since his passing earlier this year, the walls of the studio have been lined with his works.
“We are a small community with a focus in the arts. It doesn't matter if you're a visual artist or if you're a musician or a writer. It's all centered around the beautiful energy here in Door County,” said Cappaert.
Ingwersen and his wife moved to Door County in 1970 and helped build the now thriving art scene in the area.
“He kinda paved the way, along with others, to make Door County what it is today,” said Cappaert.
The acclaimed portrait artist created many official portraits, including a Supreme Court judge and a Wisconsin governor. As he approached his mid-nineties, he decided what would happen with his 40-acre property. His wife had already passed away in 2018. When he decided his plan of action, Ingwersen reached out to the Peninsula School of Art’s Executive Director, Adam Erickson.
“I almost fell off my chair,” said Erickson.
Ingwersen once taught at the school.
“He said I’d like to donate my property which is 40 acres just south of Sister Bay, along with the buildings, the studio, the galleries, the residence and about 600 paintings to the art school when I pass away,” said Erickson.
The paintings from his collection were worth an estimated $3 million, which was helpful when the school needed money to complete the transaction.
“He went through and identified about 300 paintings, half of his collection, that we could sell,” said Erickson.
The generous gift aligned with the school’s vision and the board voted to add to the new campus.
Ingwersen wanted the local art community to continue to thrive in the same place where he did for so long.
“He said, Adam, I am not trying to create a museum here. I want this to be a living, breathing campus where people are using it and people are coming to gather and people are coming to listen to music, enjoy art,” said Erickson.
A palette remains just how Ingwersen left it in his studio. The school is still working through the possibilities of the new space. Ideas include outdoor music events and a possible artist in residence program.
“He wanted to share it. I mean, he was 95 last summer and still hosting these art events in the summer to share his property. I mean, that's just how he was,” said Cappaert. “Jim would really want us to pull together as an arts community, share and all enjoy this.”
The future Door County art scene looks brighter now thanks to an artist who gave everything he had to the community he loved.
