The Festival

The Door Kinetic Arts Festival is Eric Simonson’s brainchild, offering performing artists the opportunity to come together, collaborate, develop projects, present work and exchange ideas in the process of developing new work in the exceptionally beautiful and serene atmosphere maintained at Björklunden.

The week-long festival provides Door County residents and visitors a peek at the creative process through film screenings, staged readings, performed works in progress, workshops, and carefully curated cocktails.

Our Mission

Door Kinetic Arts, Inc. nurtures and inspires kinetic and performing artists by gathering them at the Door Kinetic Arts Festival to collaborate, develop projects, present work, and exchange ideas in the process of developing new work in the exceptionally beautiful and serene atmosphere maintained at Björklunden. The Door Kinetic Arts Festival inspires and educates Door County residents and visitors through peeks behind the scenes at the creative process in workshops, performances, and artist discussions.

The Setting

A beautiful beach town, Door County, Wisconsin, has something to offer in every season. Door County is home to five state parks, nineteen county parks and various other natural areas offering recreational opportunities... and the perfect scenic spots to relax. Many restaurants, distilleries, wineries, and breweries also call Door County their home. With a lively nightlife as well as countless family-friendly activities, there is sure to be something for everyone.

BJÖRKLUNDEN

Since 1980, Lawrence University has sponsored a summer seminar series at Björklunden, a pristine 425-acre estate on the shore of Lake Michigan.  During the week, seminar participants may stay in a modern, magnificently enhanced, 37,000-square foot "lodge" that retains the estate's Norwegian heritage or commute from the area.

Seminar classes meet weekday mornings and some evenings with remaining free time open for exploration of the area's many cultural and recreational opportunities or simple relaxation at Björklunden's meadows, woods, and mile-long, unspoiled Lake Michigan shoreline.  Each seminar includes meals prepared by Björklunden's own resident chef, one of Door County's finest.

Donald and Winifred Boynton, self-taught artists, bequeathed the Björklunden estate to Lawrence in 1963.  One of its principal features is a small stavekirke, a rustic wooden chapel handcrafted by the Boyntons from 1939-1947.  The chapel contains 41 hand-painted frescoes and numerous carved-wood furnishings.  The chapel is a popular site for summer weddings.  Tours of the Boynton chapel are open to the public Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the summer months.

For complete course descriptions, fees, and registration dates call (920) 839-2216, email bjorkseminars@lawrence.edu or visit https://www.lawrence.edu/bjorklunden