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, March 7
65th All-Student Juried Art Exhibition
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Fri, March 28
Nikki Lynette: Film Screening & Talkback
ArtsFest Advance! Featured Artist
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Wed, April 2
Scott Gellatly: Artist Presentation
ArtsFest Advance! Featured Artist
Multiple dates (3 upcoming)
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
4 to 5 p.m. Sat, April 12
Chamber Music Concert
Starts 6:30 p.m. Thu, April 24
ArtsFest 2025
7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thu, April 24
UWL Treble Chorus
ArtsFest 2025 Signature Event
Starts 5 p.m. Fri, April 25
UWL Senior Art Student Exhibition
ArtsFest 2025 Signature Event
7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fri, April 25
UWL Choral Union
Spring Concert
Multiple dates (7 upcoming)
Cabaret
2 to 3 p.m. Sat, April 26
UWL Symphony Orchestra Concert
ArtsFest 2025 Signature Event
7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sat, April 26
UWL Jazz Concert
ArtsFest 2025 Signature Event
Starts Noon Mon, April 28
Artist Talks: Senior Art Major Exhibition
Session 1
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tue, April 29
Jazz Combo Concert
...and Jam Session!
Starts Noon Wed, April 30
Artist Talks: Senior Art Major Exhibition
Session 2
2 to 3 p.m. Sat, May 3
UWL Symphonic Band Concert
4 to 5 p.m. Sat, May 3
UWL Wind Ensemble Concert
7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tue, May 6
Austin Studio Limits: Music Scenes from the Stage
Partner productions
A letter from our director
Dear Friends,
Our next ArtsFest Advance! Guest artists land on campus in two short weeks! Mark your calendars now to join us in the Student Union Movie Theatre on Friday March 28 at 5:30 p.m. for a screening of musician, playwright, and mental health activist Nikki Lynette’s short film “Happy Songs about Unhappy Things,” with talkback to follow. Then on Wednesday April 2 be sure to join us at 4:30 p.m. in Annett Recital Hall for artist Scott Gellatly’s public presentation and reception. Visit the ArtsFest homepage for complete guest artist information.
Tickets are also going fast for Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, our Theatre for Youth offering this season. For reservations click on the “tickets” button on this page.
The UWL campus (and VPA programming) takes a momentary pause next week as students and faculty scatter to the winds to enjoy spring break. A reminder that the UWL Art Gallery will be closed between March 15 and March 23, but you will have until April 17 to catch the exhibits that appear in the 65th Annual All Student Juried Art Exhibition. It is one of the most whimsical and joy-filled exhibitions I have seen since arriving at UWL last year.
So we wish you all warm weather and a chance to unplug in the coming week, and we will see you on the other side of spring break for a jam-packed last few weeks of the academic year!
If you would like to keep up to date with all the goings-on with UWL Visual & Performing Arts, please sign up for our digital newsletter by clicking here.
Cheers!
Director of VPACheers!
Pete Rydberg
A spotlight on talent
UWL Theatre students shine at 2025 American College Theatre Festival. Read here.
HUBI Kits
Support Theatre & Dance with HUBI Kits! Learn more here.
Reconnecting with Campus
Upcoming arts, theatre, and music events for the holiday season and beyond. Read here.
Honoring Tradition
UWL Art Department secures grant to promote Indigenous art, cultural literacy. Read here.
Encore performance announced
UWL theatre production selected for Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Read here.
Cover Stories
ArtsFest Advance!
The “ArtsFest Advance!” series is part of UWL’s annual ArtsFest celebration, a multi-day event that showcases the creativity and talent of students, faculty, and staff in the visual and performing arts. This year, the series will feature three incredible artists throughout the spring semester. The series culminates in the full ArtsFest weekend, taking place from April 24 through April 27, 2025.
Project Grants
