The Temple Theatre Murals
Eight murals adorn the side walls of the main lobby and a ninth mural occupies the space above the front doors. The ARTT Board of Directors commissioned Ken DeWaard to paint various studies of scenes in Vernon County. From these studies, the ARTT Mural Committee selected nine that they felt would best represent the most notable and beautiful sights in Vernon County. Mural committee members include Chair Fred Nelson, Karen Hankee, Pat Martin, Paula Menn, and Sharon Stoleson
Click on the Mural Thumbnail to view a photo of each of the murals.
Sponsored by Nelson Agri-Center
Fly Fishing in the Kickapoo Reserve
Sponsored by Gary T. Monson
Hotel Fortney
Sponsored by Beatrice Marie Mills Small
Monument Rock
Sponsored by The State Bank of Viroqua
Round Barn
Sponsored by Citizens First Bank
Snowflake Ski Jump
Sponsored by Fortress Bank of Westby
Sulky Racing at the Vernon County Fair
Sponsored by Ole and Judy Gulbrandsen
Tobacco Harvest Near Three Chimney Rock
Sponsored by Northern Wisconsin Co-operative Tobacco Pool
The Great Mississippi
Sponsored by Burdette Erickson
July, 2007 Mural Celebration
ARTT celebrated the completion of the eight murals that adorn the side walls of the main lobby with two special events on Sunday, July 8, 2007. In the afternoon, from 2:30 to 3:30 a private mural viewing gave ARTT members first chance to see the eight murals, meet muralist Ken DeWaard, and visit with the sponsors of these wonderful works of art. At 3:30, a dedication ceremony was held in the theatre house with ARTT president Paula Menn, mural project chairman Fred Nelson, artist Ken DeWaard, and mural sponsors on stage. Attendance at these afternoon events was by invitation only.
At 7:30 Sunday evening, ARTT hosted a FREE CONCERT, featuring Brian Brueggen and the "Mississippi Valley Dutchmen," open to the general public. Nearly 400 area residents viewed the murals in the main lobby and proceeded into the theatre house to hear one of the Coulee region's most popular bands.
April, 2008 Mural Celebration
The final mural entitled "The Great Mississippi" hangs above the front doors of the main lobby. ARTT honored artist Ken DeWaard and mural sponsor Burdette Erickson before the last show of the 2007-2008 season series. Refreshments were served while ARTT president Paula Menn welcomed those in attendance. Burdette Erickson discussed his reasons for sponsoring the mural and complimented ARTT for its dedication to restoring and operating the theatre. Trumpeter Mike Snustead played a musical tribute to the newest mural while everyone assembled toasted its completion.
Artist Ken DeWaard
ARTT president Paul Menn, mural project chairman Fred Nelson, and artist Ken DeWaard posed for the camera to mark the beginning of the mural project in May, 2005 when Ken was issued the contract for eight murals. Several months later Ken signed a separate contract for one additional mural that hangs above the main lobby's outer doors.
Click here to view Ken's web site to learn more about Ken's artistic background, view samples of his oil paintings, learn about his recent exhibits, and see the Temple murals in close-ups and as they progressed to completion.