2026 Interactive Arts
Presented by Pump House Regional Arts CenterSaturday, June 13th, 10 am – 5 pm
Riverside Park, La Crosse WI
Interactive Art Activities for All Ages and Abilities with Local Non-profits and Businesses
PUMP HOUSE PRESENTS
ALUMINUM ART FOUNDRY – LOW RELIEF PLAQUE
PROJECT: At Artspire 2026, local artists Luke Achterberg, Kelly Ludeking, and Adam Oldre will instruct and lead an aluminum art foundry, where festival-goers will carve custom molds and cast molten aluminum to create an intricate, lightweight, and durable piece of artwork. The workshop will run throughout the entire day of Artspire. Artists will begin casting finished molds as soon as they are received by attendees. No sign-up required.
Attendees will be able to carve their molds prior to Artspire! Stop into the Pump House Regional Arts Center to pick up a sand block and instructions for carving. All advance carvings must be dropped off at the Pump House by June 5, 2026.
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ABOUT THE ARTISTS: Kelly Ludeking has spent more than three decades shaping metal, glass, and community through art. A 1997 graduate of the Minneapolis College of Art & Design (MCAD) with a BFA in Sculpture and Furniture Design, Ludeking first fell in love with the feral intensity of molten iron and the disciplined grace of fine craftsmanship. Those twin forces continue to define his work today. Since his first pour, Kelly has participated in, facilitated, or hosted more than 300 iron pours across the country, blending performance, education, and artistry into unforgettable experiences.
Luke Achterberg explores the subcultures of Americana found in automotive customizing, style writing, comics, snow/skateboarding and street art—all of which display extremely high technical skills developed outside of academia. Luke received his undergraduate degree at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse in 2004, then obtained a Welding Technical Diploma from Western Technical College in La Crosse the following year. He then acquired an MFA in sculpture from the University of Kentucky and has operated his studio in La Crosse since 2019.
Adam Oldre, raised in small towns in Minnesota and Wisconsin, developed strong mechanical and creative skills through the support of his family and community. After studying art at University of Wisconsin La Crosse, he pursued an artistic career by exhibiting in local galleries and being juried into the Uptown Art Fair in Minneapolis. Since 2009, he has worked as a metalsmith in La Crosse, repurposing recycled metals and materials, and credits his success to the continued support of mentors, fellow artists, and his community.
This engagement is funded and supported in part by Pump House Regional Arts Center and the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is supported by National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from Wisconsin Arts Board.
Aluminum Art Foundry Scratch Block Workshop
The Pump House Regional Arts Center will be partnering with local artists Luke Achterberg, Kelly Ludeking, and Adam Oldre to present an interactive Aluminum Art Foundry at Artspire 2026. We need your help to bring it to life!
Free to attend. Reservations are required – limited blocks available for pre-Artspire designing.
*All reserved blocks must be returned to the Pump House by June 5 to be cast at Artspire on June 13.
Can’t join us that night? Reserve a block and stop by the Pump House to pick up your block and instruction sheet. Blocks will also be available at Artspire to carve day-of.
Click HERE for Tips and Info for carving a scratch block
All Glazed Up
Project: Canvas Painting
All Glazed Up is a “Do It Yourself” Art Studio for anyone looking to release their inner artist. They strive to create the ultimate ‘ARTmosphere’ and offer classes and workshops for everything from painting and mosaics to string art and tie dye and so much more!
Anima Moon/Genoa National Fish Hatchery
Project: Sandbox
Artist Joel Kuennen presents Anima Moon, a proposed riverfront sculpture for La Crosse. Learn about native freshwater mussels with biologist Megan Bradley and how public art can reflect moonlight and local identity onto the Mississippi.
The Artsiders
Project: Community Painting
Local Non-Profit Art Collective that helps local artists connect, collaborate and showcase their works. We believe in creating art as you are. We don’t censor.
The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection
Project: Zine Creation Workshop
Our mission is to create spaces for connection, community, education and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people, our allies, and our neighbors.
Family and Children's Center
Project: “Sea of Support”
Family & Children’s Center is a regional, private, not-for-profit 501(c)3 agency that provides services designed to strengthen families and promote individual well-being.
Grey Area Productions
Project: Community Post Board related to their 2026-27 theatrical season which is to be announced at Artspire!
Grey Area Productions exists to offer a wide range of artistic and cultural enrichment through presenting published and original works founded on the principle of accessible theater for all.
Heart2Heart Pet Lifeline
Project: Create your own pet toy
Recognizing the healing power of companion animals, the mission of Heart2Heart Pet Lifeline is to keep pets out of shelters and rescues and help owners keep them in loving homes.
La Crosse Film Academy/Rivoli Arts District
Project: Film Creation Station
The La Crosse Film Academy’s mission is to inspire, educate, and support a flourishing community of filmmakers, screenwriters, digital storytelling artists, and lovers of cinema across the Driftless Region.
La Crosse Public Library
Project: Rock painting and cardboard murals
La Crosse Public Library is dedicated to providing accessible materials, engaging programs, and inclusive services, the library cultivates a culture of discovery, creation, and connection for all. Our Main Street Library serves as a vibrant community hub, while the North Community Library extends our reach and impact across the city. Together, our staff work to deliver outstanding service, thoughtfully curated collections, and dynamic programming that reflects and supports the needs of our community.
La Crosse Storytelling Festival
Project: Mask Decorating & Storytelling
The La Crosse Storytelling Festival strives to be the premier storytelling event in the upper Midwest, celebrating the art of storytelling by edifying, educating, and entertaining people of all ages and walks of life. Come and enjoy the magic of storytelling!
Mental Health Coalition of Greater La Crosse
Project: Card coloring, rock painting, wellness minute
Our vision is to create a mentally healthy community where collaboration improves services, resources, and education; where conversations about mental health are met with compassion, and no one fears asking for help. Together, we boldly work toward a future where mental health is not associated with stigma, shame, or judgement. We seek to align efforts to maximize outcomes, so everyone has access to the care and supports they need.
Mississippi Valley Writer's Guild
Project: Continue the story
The Mississippi Valley Writers Guild began with the goal of being a safe, supportive space for writers to gather and share their work. We’re proud to keep that commitment with our critique groups, as well as offer members the chance to participate in various readings, workshops, and book fairs throughout the year.
UFAH & La Crosse County Historical Society
Project: DIY Visors
The United Fund for the Arts and Humanities (UFAH) enhances the cultural life of our community by supporting 12 local arts and humanities organizations, like the La Crosse County Historical Society. The Historical Society enriches lives through engagement with the history of the Driftless Region.
Wisconsin Public Radio - WPR
Project: Rock Painting
With 3 networks and 38 stations, WPR has been serving Wisconsin for more than a century. WPR news, music, and entertainment programs inform, inspire, and build community. Events. Arts & Culture. Music. Podcasts. News. Weather.
SPECIAL EVENT: CHALKFEST at ARTSPIRE
Stop. Drop. Chalk! All are welcome to leave their mark on the Artspire grounds with their chalk creations!
Featured artists who will be creating large designs at Chalkfest:
– Sarah Piper
– Ronnah Metz
– Molly Hughes & Sunshine Bott-Sprain
– Cheyenne Kulmaczewski
– Maria W.
Presented by Chase Gentry and Amoreena Rathke
Chalkfest is sponsored by: Coulee Region Alliance for the Visual Arts (CRAVA) and La Crosse Society of Arts
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 10am – 5pm
Location: Riverside Park, La Crosse, WI – Sidewalk north of Bandshell seating
Event Type: Outdoor chalk art event during Artspire, a free community celebration of the arts
Admission: Free and open to the public
Format: Live chalk murals created on pavement, 5 artists will be creating featured pieces, anyone can chalk throughout the day.
Audience: All ages, family-friendly
The whole family loved our experience last year! Can’t wait to come back!
Artspire Sponsored In Part By
