The Art at the Park Story
The Beginning
Art at the Park began in 1960 in City Park, Appleton with 15 artists and about 200 attendees. Each artist was local and ranged from paintings to pottery.
Today, Art at the Park is the Fox Cities’ largest arts festival with over 180 artists.
The Arts
The Appleton Artists Guild, now the Trout Museum of Art and founder of Art at the Park, was also founded in 1960 with a joint goal to provide a place for artists to share work, learn from one another, and share techniques.
Today
The festival shares work by over 180 fine artists, 10+ musicians and bands on the soundstage, numerous youth and family art activities, and some great local food and brewery vendors.
In 2021, the festival moved to a TWO day event and we’re so excited to share art even further!
From a Founder
“Art at the Park was the first thing that happened in this city that called attention to the visual arts in a public way. The first ten years, it was all volunteers. We had no paid staff. It was a labor of love . . . I hope AATP gives people an opportunity to see the quality of art that’s available to them. You don’t have to go to Chicago to buy artwork.”
Phil Sealy
(1926-2021)
Art at the Park and Appleton Artists Guild (Trout Museum of Art) founding member.
60-year participant of Art at the Park.
