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

Starts 5 p.m. Fri, Sept. 12 Meditations on Trees and Stones The Art of Jennifer Williams

5:30 to 7 p.m. Sun, Sept. 21 7th Annual Game Day in the Vineyard UWL Screaming Eagles Marching Band Benefit

6 to 7 p.m. Thu, Oct. 2 Artist Talk: Jennifer Williams Meditations on Trees and Stones

2 to 3 p.m. Sat, Oct. 4 Concert Band

4 to 5 p.m. Sat, Oct. 4 Wind Ensemble

Multiple dates (7 upcoming) Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really.

4 to 5 p.m. Sat, Oct. 11 Jonathan Borja: Flute With Dr. Lindsay Garritson, Piano

4 to 5:30 p.m. Sat, Oct. 18 Symphony Orchestra featuring H.S. Honor Orchestra

7:30 to 9 p.m. Tue, Oct. 21 Jazz Concert ft. UWL Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Orchestra

5 to 7 p.m. Thu, Oct. 23 Art Open House Fun & Surprises Around Every Corner!

1 to 3 p.m. Sat, Oct. 25 High School & Alumni Band Day UWL vs. Oshkosh

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tue, Oct. 28 Jazz Combos Concert

Starts 1 p.m. Sun, Nov. 2 Home Field Revue Screaming Eagles Marching Band

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thu, Nov. 6 La Crosse New Music Festival Concert #1

Multiple dates (7 upcoming) tick, tick...BOOM!

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri, Nov. 7 La Crosse New Music Festival Concert #2

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sat, Nov. 8 La Crosse New Music Festival Concert #3

Starts 5 p.m. Fri, Nov. 21 Senior Art Major Exhibition Opening Reception: November 21, 5-6:30 p.m.

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sat, Nov. 22 Dramatic Delights Music Scenes from the Stage

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tue, Nov. 25 Jazz Combos Concert

Multiple dates (5 upcoming) Ken Ludwig's The Games Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays

7:30 to 9 p.m. Fri, Dec. 5 Jazz Concert ft. UWL Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Orchestra

4 to 5:30 p.m. Sat, Dec. 6 Wind Ensemble featuring H.S. Honor Band

2 to 3 p.m. Sun, Dec. 7 Concert Band

4 to 5 p.m. Sun, Dec. 7 Symphony Orchestra

7:30 to 9 p.m. Wed, Dec. 10 Concert Choir & Treble Chorus Holiday Concert

Starts 5 p.m. Fri, Feb. 6, 2026 66th Annual All Student Juried Art Exhibition Reception: February 6, 5 p.m.

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri, Feb. 13, 2026 Jazz Faculty Recital

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

4 to 5 p.m. Sat, Feb. 21, 2026 Wind Ensemble

Multiple dates (7 upcoming) Machinal

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri, Feb. 27, 2026 38th Annual Big Band Cabaret & Dance Party

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tue, March 3, 2026 Jazz Combos Concert

7:30 to 9 p.m. Fri, March 6, 2026 Concert Choir & Treble Chorus

2 to 3 p.m. Sun, March 8, 2026 Symphony Orchestra

4 to 5 p.m. Sun, March 8, 2026 Symphonic Band

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wed, March 11, 2026 Music Faculty Recital

Starts 5 p.m. Thu, March 26, 2026 Travis Head: Busy Boys, Better Boys Opening Reception: March 26, 5-6:30 p.m.

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sat, March 28, 2026 Chamber Music Concert

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

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sat, April 11, 2026 New Composition Recital

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thu, April 23, 2026 Jazz Combos Concert & Jam Session ArtsFest Signature Event

Starts 5 p.m. Fri, April 24, 2026 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

2 to 3 p.m. Sat, April 25, 2026 Symphonic Band ArtsFest Signature Event

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sat, April 25, 2026 Wind Ensemble ArtsFest Signature Event

7:30 to 9 p.m. Wed, April 29, 2026 Treble Chorus

7:30 to 9 p.m. Sat, May 2, 2026 Jazz Concert ft. UWL Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Orchestra

4 to 5 p.m. Sun, May 3, 2026 Symphony Orchestra

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tue, May 5, 2026 Dramatic Delights Music Scenes from the Stage

7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri, May 8, 2026 Choral Union & Concert Choir

A letter from our director

Dear Friends,

The School of Visual & Performing Arts is gearing up for our 2025-2026 season of exceptional arts programming. As Band Camp draws nigh for the Screaming Eagles Marching Band, our VPA office is diligently lining up brochures, posters, programs, press releases (etc.) for the very first events of the season! Sending a special shoutout to David Piro, our resident graphic designer!

Professor Jennifer Williams opens our season with her solo exhibition, Meditations on Trees and Stones. Join us for her opening reception Friday September 12 from 5-6:30 p.m., or pop by the UWL Art Gallery – on display through November 9^th.

The Department of Music proud to presents Duos with Dave Marck on Friday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. in Annett Recital Hall. Marck, a jazz pianist with 45 years of experience in New York City’s vibrant music scene, performs in duo settings with UWL Jazz Program Director Jon Ailabouni his immediate predecessor Dr. Jeff Erickson.

Elmaro Vineyard is the setting for one of my favorite annual events – Game Day in the Vineyard. Join us September 21^st for our 7^th annual benefit for the Screaming Eagles Marching Band in one of the most picturesque settings you can imagine, surrounded by music and laughter.

The Department of Theatre & Dance are already deep in rehearsals preparing for the first two productions of the season - Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really. by Kate Hamill (mature content & lots of blood), as well as Jonathan Larson's musical tick...tick...Boom! Online ticket sales begin October 1^st - click "tickets" on this page to make reservations.

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.

Cheers!

Director of VPACheers!
Pete Rydberg