FHCA History

Nowhere in the Midwest are the arts more intertwined with the life of a community than Door County and nowhere in Door County is the passion to connect the arts to the community greater than the Francis Hardy Center for the Arts.

Founded in 1962 by the Peninsula Arts Association (PAA) in honor of Francis Howe Hardy, the mission of the FHCA is to promote awareness, understanding and appreciation of the arts through outreach programs, events and exhibitions. The organization operates the notable Francis Hardy Gallery, located on Anderson Dock in the village's historic Anderson Warehouse.

This venerable Ephraim landmark was built by Adolph Anderson during the era when ships from the Goodrich Line made this a port of call in the summertime. The Dock and Warehouse hold a lot of meaning for Ephraim residents and visitors alike, not to mention the decades of boaters who would paint their respective vessel’s name on the Warehouse’s clapboard siding. The Francis Hardy Gallery is home to some of the most creative and popular gallery exhibitions in Door County, and it is easy to see why so many established and emerging artists love to show their work in a simple wooden warehouse.

In addition to being recognized for its outstanding exhibits, the organization has made great strides in recent years in continuing to fulfill Francis Hardy's wish to create a climate of understanding and appreciation of the arts. The FHCA is committed to providing the Door County community with innovative educational programming for people of all ages in the arts.