Racine Art Museum's Peeps Exhibition Showcases Candy-Inspired Creations

Artists of all ages transform marshmallow Peeps into award-winning masterpieces

Apr. 2, 2026 at 10:06am

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The Racine Art Museum's 17th annual Peeps exhibition opened on April 1, featuring a variety of colorful and creative artworks made from the iconic marshmallow candy. The exhibition showcases pieces from artists across Wisconsin, with awards given in multiple categories for the most clever and skilled use of Peeps.

Why it matters

The Peeps exhibition has become a beloved annual tradition at the Racine Art Museum, attracting artists and visitors alike to celebrate the whimsical and unexpected ways the classic Easter candy can be transformed into works of art. The competition highlights the creativity of the local community and the museum's commitment to showcasing unique and unconventional artistic mediums.

The details

The exhibition features a wide range of Peeps-inspired creations, including a spring-themed birthday celebration, an elegant Victorian-style display, and a pair of knitted Peeps mittens. Winners were selected in both adult and youth categories, with first-place recipients receiving a handcrafted golden glass Peeps bunny sculpture.

  • The Peeps exhibition opened on April 1, 2026 and will run through April 18, 2026.
  • The Golden PEEPS Awards ceremony, which served as the exhibition's opening reception, was held on March 31, 2026.

The players

Racine Art Museum

A museum located in Racine, Wisconsin that showcases contemporary art, craft, and design exhibitions.

Katelyn Mitchell

The assistant curator at the Racine Art Museum who oversees the annual Peeps exhibition.

Julie Palmer

A Racine-based artist who won first place in the adult division for her Peeps-inspired art piece 'Happy Birthday, PEEP Jr.'

Beatrix W. Leach

A Milwaukee-area artist who won second place for her Peeps-inspired piece 'Victorian Peeps'

Connie Reeves

A Wauwatosa-based artist who received an honorable mention for her Peeps-inspired 'Peep Mittens'

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What they’re saying

“Each year, we are presented with truly exceptional artwork submissions, which makes selecting award winners incredibly difficult. It's always wonderful to see artists transform this unusual material into something novel.”

— Katelyn Mitchell, Assistant Curator, Racine Art Museum

What’s next

The Peeps exhibition at the Racine Art Museum will remain open to the public through April 18, 2026, allowing visitors to view the creative candy-inspired artworks.

The takeaway

The Racine Art Museum's annual Peeps exhibition showcases the boundless creativity of local artists, who transform the classic Easter candy into whimsical and unexpected works of art. The competition highlights the museum's commitment to celebrating unconventional artistic mediums and the vibrant artistic community in the region.