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 10 a.m. Tue, Oct. 21 Fifty Years Later Commemorating the End of the Secret War

Multiple dates tick, tick...BOOM!

Starts 5 p.m. Fri, Nov. 21 Senior Art Major Exhibition Opening Reception: November 21, 5-7 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

Noon to 1 p.m. Mon, Dec. 1 Artist Talk: Senior Art Major Exhibition Session 1

Noon to 1 p.m. Wed, Dec. 3 Artist Talk: Senior Art Major Exhibition Session 2

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 Frequency

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

Noon to 1 p.m. Mon, Dec. 8 Artist Talk: Senior Art Major Exhibition Session 3

Noon to 1 p.m. Wed, Dec. 10 Artist Talk: Senior Art Major Exhibition Session 4

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

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 Modern Brazilian Jazz 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

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

Multiple dates (7 upcoming) Machinal

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

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,

We are in the waning weeks of the fall semester, and the School of Visual & Performing Arts is preparing a veritable feast of autumnal entertainments!

At the close of each semester, our graduating art majors present their capstone exhibition in the UWL Art Gallery. Join us for Yours Truly: a senior art major exhibition, with a public opening reception at 5 p.m. on November 21 in the UWL Art Gallery. On display through December 14.

Seniors also take center stage in “Out Front,” our jazz concert on December 5 spotlighting the virtuosity of graduating instrumentalists. The following day, December 6, the Wind Ensemble performs alongside UWL’s first high school Honor Band concert. And why not make a weekend of music at UWL? Come back for a double header on December 7 for the Concert Band’s performance titled “Frequency” at 2 p.m. followed by “Transcendence,” the final performance of the semester from UWL’s Symphony Orchestra.

tick…tick…BOOM sold out performances during its first weekend, so be sure to get your tickets today before it closes on November 15. It is playing in the Frederick Theatre, our smaller venue in Morris Hall – so seating is extremely limited. And as long as you are getting your tickets ordered, be sure to make plans for attending our holiday whodunnit Ken Ludwig's The Games Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays – five performances only December 4-7.

As we move towards the holidays, please know how thankful we are to all of our patrons for being a part of our extended family. Wishing you all safe travels in the coming weeks.

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