The Miller Art Museum in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, will open "Women and Water: Woven Portraits from Around the World" on May 24, featuring 29 hand-woven Jacquard portraits by Wisconsin fiber artist Mary Burns. Guest curated by artist and photographer Suzanne Rose, the exhibit celebrates women globally who are dedicated to water advocacy, science, and stewardship. Concurrently, the museum will present "Magnus Opus: Masters of the Figure from the Permanent Collection" on its Ruth Morton Miller Mezzanine, honoring the museum's 50th anniversary with figurative works including a new acquisition by the late maritime artist Charles L. Peterson. A free artist reception is scheduled for May 30, and an artist talk with Burns will be held June 19.
The exhibition matters because it highlights the critical role of women in water protection and stewardship, a theme deeply resonant for Door County, which is surrounded by Lake Michigan and Green Bay. By combining intricate fiber art with environmental advocacy, the show challenges perceptions of weaving as a medium and underscores the community's identity tied to water. The concurrent anniversary exhibition also reinforces the museum's commitment to regional artistic heritage, featuring works by celebrated local artists alongside new acquisitions.