LA CROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – I know that it’s an old refrain but, golly, is La Crosse beautiful. To be perfectly honest, the entirety of Western Wisconsin and Southeastern Minnesota is quite breathtaking. From the lush summers to the quaint winters, colorful autumns, and pastel springs; we really are spoiled by the breathtaking vistas we are gifted every single day.
But we are aware of that, right? After all, we are constantly reminded of that fact all the time. Be it from our friends or relatives visiting, from some stranger at the supermarket commenting on how great of a day it is, or from some guy behind a keyboard telling you about the breathtaking summer, winter, fall and spring in the area.
However, have you taken the time to notice the public art that we have? From one end of this town to the other, and into the “outlying” areas as well, we are surrounded by works of public art. Sculptures, murals, reliefs, fountains, and everything in between. Each one adding to the unique and enviable beauty in this place we get to call home.
I set out to find these works and document what we have, right here, in our area. In no way is this comprehensive and in no way do I pretend to know all there is to know about these pieces. This is about a La Crosse resident exploring the area he lives in and taking in the beauty that our city offers to us and our visitors…
Dancers
Where: Weber Center for the Performing Arts (428 Front Street South)
Artist: Donna Gerke-Cutta
Medium: Sculpture (Stainless Steel)
The Four Muses
Where: Weber Center for the Performing Arts (428 Front Street South)
Artist: Jill Rippe
Medium: Brick bas relief
Confluence
Where: Pump House Regional Arts Center (119 King St.)
Artist: John Pugh
Medium: Mural
A Simpler Time
Where: Riverside Park (near the levee)
Artist: Michael Martino
Medium: Sculpture (cast bronze)
Eagle Landmark
Where: Riverside Park
Artist: Elmer Peterson
Medium: Sculpture (welded steel)
King Gambrinus
Where: Front and State St. (entrance to Riverside Park)
Artist: Elmer Petersen
Medium: Sculpture (welded steel)
Le Pinau (Boy with Thorn)
Where: 2nd and Main St.
Artist: Unkown
Medium: Sculpture (case bronze)
La Crosse Players
Where: 2nd and Main St
Artist: Elmer Petersen
Medium: Sculpture (steel)
Main St Parking Ramp Mural
Where: Main St parking ramp (3rd St. entrance)
Artist: Natalie Hinahara
Medium: Mural
Helping Hands
Where: Corner of State and 3rd St.
Artist: Landon Sheely
Medium: Mural
Invitation to Imagination
Where: Onalaska Public Library
Artist: Michael Martino
Medium: Sculpture (cast bronze)
Gateway to Nature’s Backyard
Where: Great River Landing, Onalaska
Artist: Michael Martino
Medium: Sculpture (stained glass, bronze)
Anidonts
Where: Myrick Park (entrance)
Artist: Luis Arata
Medium: Sculpture (steel)
Ribbons V
Where: 1725 State St (UWL Campus, Cartwright Center)
Artist: Stephen Fischer (piece is 5th in a series)
Medium: Sculpture (Steel)
Walter “Babe” Weigent Statue
Where: 1500 Cass St (Weigent Park)
Artist: Michael Martino
Medium: Sculpture (cast bronze)
Gideon C. Hixon
Where: 429 N 7th St
Artist: Elmer Petersen
Medium: Sculpture (cast bronze)
Fledgling
Where: La Crosse County Building (300 4th Street)
Artist: Michael Martino
Medium: Sculpture (cast bronze)
Water Over the Dam
Where: La Crosse County Building (4th and Vine St)
Artist: Jeff Weideman
Medium: Sculpture (Welded and Curled steel)
Burns Park Mural
Where: Burns Park (7th and Main)
Artist: Cameron King
Medium: Mural
Reflections
Where: La Crosse Public Library (Main branch – 800 Main St)
Artist: Paul T. Granlund
Medium: Sculpture (cast bronze)
Tools of Teaching
Where: Viterbo University (Murphy Center)
Artist: Brad Nichols
Medium: Steel
Dancing Francis
Where: Viterbo University (900 Viterbo Dr)
Artist: Paul T. Granlund
Medium: Bronze
Dancing Clare
Where: Viterbo University (Assisi Courtyard)
Artist: Davis Kocka
Medium: Sculpture (bronze)
Harmony and Peace
Where: Viterbo University (900 Viterbo Dr)
Artist: Luis Arata
Medium: Sculpture (steel)
Artist’s Alley
Where: 5th Street
Medium: Murals
Artist: Multiple
