Artists and the arts have enriched the village of Ephraim since pastor Andreas Iverson painted Eagle Harbor in 1860.  The pristine landscape and beautiful shoreline of Ephraim has made it a popular subject for visual artists of all styles.

The Norwegian influence is still strong, and apparent in the sturdy stone architecture of the Ephraim Village Hall, in the celebration of the bonfire-illuminated Fyr Bal festival, always held the third weekend in June, and in the rich music and arts culture of the village.

Music permeated the whole of Moravian life, and the Moravian culture, with its tradition of instrumental ensembles in the church, played a part in the development of the outstanding Peninsula Music Festival.  The idea of symphonic music in a woodland setting, first conceived in the 1930s, was brought to reality in the 1950s by Dr. Thor Johnson, with the sponsorship of the Peninsula Arts Association.

The festival's long-time music director, the late Dr. Johnson (music director of the Nashville and other symphonies), had lived in Moravian parsonages as a boy, conducted many Moravian Music Festivals, and was a member of the Ephraim Moravian Church until his death in 1975.  Today, the Peninsula Music Festival is nationally known and is a celebration of the foresight, values, and spirit of Dr. Johnson.

Ephraim also boasts a wealth of nationally-known visual arists, and many painters and potters as well as workers in wood, metals, enamel, weaving, and other materials have sought out Ephraim as a summer or even a year-round residence.  These artists and craftspeople contribute greatly to the character and values of Ephraim. 

Not only is there a strong sense of artistic talent in Ephraim's community, but there is also a strong sense of protecting and enriching that talent.  Francis Hardy was an businessman, amateur painter, and a summer resident in Ephraim from 1930 until his death in 1960. One of his goals was to create a climate of art appreciation and creation in Door County that would attract both artist and art lovers alike to the area.  He was also a charter member of the Peninsula Arts Association (PAA), an organization that makes funds available for artistic and cultural endeavors.  After his death, the PAA named their gallery at the Anderson Dock in Ephraim the Francis Hardy Gallery.