Downtown La Crosse is expected to receive a makeover by the
end of spring 2014. Internationally-acclaimed
muralist John Pugh has been selected by the City Arts Board to design and
install a mural for La Crosse’s emerging arts district, after years of
planning.
Pugh has selected three UW-L students, Molly Duggan, Alyssa Schubert-Hetzel and Shelby Phillips, to be his apprentices during the mural’s creation and installation in May.
The city of La Crosse received a $25,000 grant from the
National Endowment for the Arts, according to the La Crosse Tribune. The city has also contributed $55,000 to the
mural, needing an extra $30,000 from patrons for the mural’s completion. There are no current specifics regarding the
subject matter to be painted.
Jennifer Terpstra,
associate professor of Art at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, was
influential during the early stages of the project in securing Pugh as the
possible designer. “Pugh was
selected by the board because of his demonstrated interest and experience in
engaging the community and success in working with student apprentices.” She is currently acting as Pugh’s
liaison while he is in La Crosse. 