Inspired by La Crosse
Annual Art Competition presented by Pump House Regional Arts Center and Sponsored by City of La Crosse - Arts Board SUBMIT YOUR ART
CALL TO ARTISTS
The Inspired by La Crosse Art Competition is your chance to show the community what you love about La Crosse. Submit up to three pieces of art inspired by our breathtaking region.
Accepting applications for 2025 now through May 5!
The Pump House Regional Arts Center, in conjunction with Artspire La Crosse, proudly presents the Inspired by La Crosse Art Competition. In celebration of La Crosse’s creative community, this competition provides a unique opportunity to showcase our area’s talented artists and enliven our public places with enriching and inspiring content. This project seeks to unveil the various interests and interpretations of our diverse community and spark vital connections through art.
A jury will review all submissions and select 3 winning pieces. The winners will be announced during the Artspire La Crosse 2025 celebration on Saturday, June 14 in Riverside Park. Each winning piece will hang from the walls at La Crosse City Hall for one year. Additionally, each winning artist will receive $200 and ribbon.
The City of La Crosse Arts Board is a proud sponsor of the Inspired by La Crosse Art Competition.
Application Requirements
- Topic: The jury is looking for wall pieces that are inspired by La Crosse- the area, culture, topography, etc.
- Quantity: Up to 3 pieces may be submitted. No artist will submit more than 3 pieces.
- Jury Fee: $25 (for 1-3 submissions)
- Size limit: Submitted work will be no larger than 36″ tall and 48″ wide, no smaller than 18″ tall and 12″ wide, and no heavier than 40 lbs.
- Display: Pieces must be ready to hang and already framed, if necessary.
- Sale: Pieces may be for sale. A label will be displayed next to work with artist information, and price.
- Artwork will display for one year and may not come down early. Work sold during the duration will not be available for pick up until June 1 the following year.
- Application Deadline is May 5, 2025
The jury fee is WAIVED for Pump House Members and 2025 Artspire Artists – Call 608-785-1434 for coupon code.
Inspired by La Crosse 2024 Winners
The 2024 Inspired by La Crosse winners were announced at Artspire on Saturday, June 8. Their pieces will be displayed and for sale in City Hall for one year.
This project is sponsored by the City of La Crosse – Arts Board.
Marlie Voigt
“End Scene”
Woodcut Relief Print
$300
Marlie Voight is an artist based in La Crosse, WI. After the death of the artist’s maternal grandmother, their family histories went silent. Faced with a constant, fervent desire to know more about the people they come from, Marlie explores the cycles of love, death, and the greater world around them in “end scene.” Voigt has used art throughout their life as a form of communication, coming more naturally than words. They use art to process major life events and to connect with their family history.
Pete Mutschler
“La Crosse Reflection”
Photography
$300
Pete Mutschler is a Winona Minnesota-based photographer. His current focus is capturing the energy and passion created by communities. Pete’s goal is to create images that capture what makes a community special. Pete believes strongly in Ansel Adam’s statement; “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”
Jandi Small
“Checking the Ice”
Oil Painting
$350
Oil painter Jandi Small currently lives in the beautiful Driftless area of Southeast Minnesota and aims to capture the grandeur and allure of nature in this unique area. Her current technique involves working in oils on canvas mounted to birch panels, utilizing a more impressionistic style over realism. Jandi seeks to convey a strong sense of the magic that she feels in nature, that sense that there is another more vibrant and colorful reality that not everyone can glimpse.
Inspired by La Crosse 2023 Winners
Inspired by La Crosse is an art competition put on by the Pump House Regional Arts Center to publicly showcase our areas artists and enliven our public spaces! Three winners will be announced and their pieces will be displayed in City Hall for one year. This project is sponsored by the City of La Crosse – Arts Board.
The 2022 Inspired by La Crosse winners were:
Tom Balko
(Knotty Willow) – “Currents”
Jason Stuempges
(Jason Ray Photography) – “La Crosse”