Since 1965 · Washington Island, WI
About the ANC
Art, nature, and community on Washington Island since 1965.
Our Mission
Since 1965, the Washington Island Art and Nature Center has flourished as a not-for-profit organization for Islanders and visitors, promoting the creative arts, providing a sales outlet for Island artists and craftsmen, and directing nature study programs with special emphasis on youth education.
It's only sources of funds are contributions, memberships, bookstore sales and art commissions.
"In 1965, a small group with a vision saw the vacated building as a home for displays of art and nature."
- From the founding of the ANC
by the numbers
1965
Year founded
60+
Years serving the island
3
Featured shows each season
501(c)(3)
Nonprofit organization
A historic 1904 schoolhouse
The Art & Nature Center is housed in the former Washington Island schoolhouse, built in 1904. Originally one of four schools on the island, the building later became the high school and served the community until 1964.
In 1965, a small group with a vision saw the vacated building as a home for displays of art and nature. On July 1, 1965, the Washington Island Center for Creative Arts and Nature Study opened its doors, with ten island artists, a nature room filled with community treasures, and admission of 25 cents.
More than sixty years later, the ANC continues to serve Islanders and visitors as a gathering place for art, nature, and community.
The people behind the ANC
Director
Laura Waldron
LEAD NATURALIST
Steve Waldron
ASSISTANT NATURALISTS
Claire Wisniewski
Xander Weilbaker
Payton Sevcik
The ANC is supported by a dedicated board of directors and community volunteers who have kept the center thriving since 1965.
Our founding story
The original Center for Creative Arts and Nature Study · circa 1965
On July 1, 1965, the Washington Island Center for Creative Arts and Nature Study opened its doors in the building that had previously served as the Washington Island High School.
Wilson Trueblood served as the first Chairman, and Patti (O'Connell) Cauldwell was hired as the first Director. The interior rooms were painted white and pegboard structures were constructed for the exhibit.
Ten island artists participated in the first exhibit. For the nature room, community members brought in treasures such as bird nests, fossils, and creatures. Art classes were held in the mornings, lectures and travel logs in the evenings. Admission was 25 cents.
THE FIRST TEN EXHIBITORS · 1965
Ray Briesemeister
Steve Eaton
Holland Engle
Edith Flath
Christine Gudmundsen
Ann Ward Maiken
Patti O'Connell
Yngre, Dan & Burton Olsson
Tom Schutz
Martha Stelter
The Artist Ball, a costume event, was the main fundraiser. The community was invited in costume to the exhibits, then proceeded to Karly's for an evening of dancing.
Patti (O'Connell) Cauldwell
First Director · Washington Island Art & Nature Center
First Director · Washington Island Art & Nature Center
ANC Principals · 1982
Patti Cauldwell, Lorna Cornell, Caroline Cauldwell, Mary Lee Benson, Harry Fowler, Dorothy Kraft
Patti Cauldwell, Lorna Cornell, Caroline Cauldwell, Mary Lee Benson, Harry Fowler, Dorothy Kraft