Paine Art Center & Gardens

Collections & exhibitions - Paine Art Center & Gardens, Inc. Provides planning, transportation, design, and installation of exhibitions. It is also responsible for preserving museum collections. The organization has a long history of presenting exceptional exhibitions spanning classical to contemporary Art. The historic Paine property holds a collection of more than a thousand artworks, including paintings, sculptures, furnishings, and decorative objects. The rooms and hallways of the Paine mansion display items from nathan and jessie kimberly Paine's collection of fine Art and decorative objects, most notably, french barbizon and american landscape paintings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily purchased in the mid-1920's. The estate's Gardens also feature several sculptures as focal points of the outdoor "galleries". While a majority of the collection was acquired by the paines, it has also grown substantially through donations and purchases while continuing to reflect the subjects and spirit of the founders original gift. The collection is catalogued for educational and curatorial purposes. The organization's intent is to preserve and maintain their collection which directly furthers the organization's purpose.

Gardens - the organization maintains, preserves, and interprets the horticultural collection. The Paine estate features twenty garden areas for public enjoyment and education. In concert with the historic architecture, the garden designs create outdoor "rooms" showcasing a wide variety of plants. Like the Paine mansion's rooms and galleries, the Gardens are designed to create a variety of intimate and grand settings. Set against the backdrop of the mansion, the Gardens showcase perennials that are especially hardy in Wisconsin's climate as well as trees, shrubs and wildflowers native to the state. Displays of annuals and bulbs change each year and present new varieties and unusual combinations to inspire every level of garden enthusiast.

External relations -the organization compiles and distributes all information for communication to the public.

Education - the organization develops and administers educational and interpretive programs.

Volunteer services - the organization is responsible for developing and maintaining its volunteer program. You will find our enthusiastic volunteers contributing in countless ways throughout the entire estate. Some volunteers warmly welcome guests, others participate in curatorial and archival activities, still others roll up their sleeves and go to work in our enchanting Gardens.