Visual & Performing Arts

Visuals are decorative and audio is absent.

Create. Explore. Interpret. Innovate.

Welcome future students, friends of the Arts, and the larger La Crosse community! Experience the award-winning exhibits, performances, and shows that thrive in the departments of Art, Music, & Theatre & Dance.

MapVisit us: Truman T. Lowe Center for the Arts, 333 North 16th Street.

Upcoming events

2 to 3 p.m. Sun, Feb. 1 Dr. Jonathan Borja: Flute

Starts 5 p.m. Fri, Feb. 6 66th Annual All Student Juried Art Exhibition Reception: February 6, 5 p.m.

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri, Feb. 13 Modern Brazilian Jazz Jazz Faculty Recital

2 to 3 p.m. Sun, Feb. 15 2026 Honors Recital

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thu, Feb. 19 Dr. Lindsay Garritson, Piano Internationally recognized, award-winning artist

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri, Feb. 20 Dashon Burton Three-time GRAMMY winner in concert

4 to 5 p.m. Sat, Feb. 21 Wind Ensemble

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri, Feb. 27 38th Annual Big Band Cabaret & Dance Party

Multiple dates (7 upcoming) Machinal

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tue, March 3 Jazz Combos Concert Latin Jazz Night

7:30 to 9 p.m. Fri, March 6 Concert Choir & Treble Chorus

2 to 3 p.m. Sun, March 8 Symphony Orchestra Solo Artist Spotlight

4 to 5 p.m. Sun, March 8 Symphonic Band

Multiple dates (2 upcoming) Risograph Workshop: Storytelling through Collage with Travis Head, ArtsFest Advance! guest artist

4 to 5 p.m. Thu, March 26 Travis Head: Artist Talk & Opening Reception ArtsFest Advance! Featured Artist

Starts 5 p.m. Thu, March 26 Travis Head: Busy Boys, Better Boys Opening Reception: March 26, 5 p.m.

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri, March 27 Charissa Bertels in conversation & performance ArtsFest Advance! Featured Artist

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sat, March 28 Chamber Music Concert

Multiple dates (5 upcoming) My Days with Peter Rabbit (and His Friends)

4 to 5 p.m. Sat, April 11 New Composition Recital

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thu, April 23 Jazz Combos Concert & Jam Session ArtsFest Signature Event

Starts 5 p.m. Fri, April 24 Senior Art Major Exhibition Opening Reception: April 24, 5-6:30 p.m.

Multiple dates (7 upcoming) A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder

6 to 7 p.m. Sat, April 25 Symphonic Band ArtsFest Signature Event

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sat, April 25 Wind Ensemble ArtsFest Signature Event

7:30 to 9 p.m. Wed, April 29 Treble Chorus

7:30 to 9 p.m. Sat, May 2 Jazz Concert ft. UWL Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Orchestra

4 to 5 p.m. Sun, May 3 Symphony Orchestra "American Impressions"

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tue, May 5 Dramatic Delights Music Scenes from the Stage

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri, May 8 Choral Union & Concert Choir

A letter from our director

Dear Friends,

As students, faculty, and staff return to campus from the holiday break, the School of Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) is already in full swing preparing for an extraordinary spring semester of programming, bringing the very best in art, music, theatre, and dance performances to our community.

But before we get to our full slate of cultural offerings in the coming months, let me take a moment to draw your attention to ArtsFest – UWL’s 13^th annual celebration of the arts. Kicking off with “ArtsFest Advance!” - a series of guest artist visits heralding a full weekend spotlighting student and faculty creative achievements, ArtsFest welcomes the community to experience the rich, diverse cultural offerings at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.

This year’s ArtsFest Advance! guests include: three-time Grammy-winning bass-baritone Dashon Burton (February 20); visual artist Travis Head (March 26), whose works combine drawing and story-telling and has been exhibited throughout the United States; and a Broadway actor and champion of new musicals Charissa Bertels (March 27). Each guest artist will hold masterclasses with VPA majors, offer presentations for the entire student body, and bring performances and lectures open to the public.

ArtsFest Weekend kicks off with a Jazz Combo concert (April 23), followed by an open jam session and ArtsFest opening reception. Friday’s signature event, the Senior Art Major Exhibition (April 24), showcases the culmination of creativity and technique from the next generation of visual artists. Saturday (April 25) offers a music double-header, starting with the Symphonic Band at 6 p.m. and the Wind Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. The weekend’s final signature event is the April 26 matinee of the musical comedy A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (running April 24 through May 2). Block off the weekend on your calendars, and join us for the most dynamic cultural weekend of the year!

If you would like to receive our 2025-2026 season flier, please send your mailing address to vpa@uwlax.edu – or sign up for our VPA digital newsletter by clicking here.

Director of VPACheers!
Pete Rydberg