Science-Themed Artwork Unveiling in Sturgeon Bay City Hall

The hand of one of the artists at work is shown here. The public is invited to see the completed artwork and meet the artists at a reception outside the Sturgeon Bay City Hall on Oct. 15. Photo courtesy of Bonnie Willison.

To celebrate its 50th-anniversary year, Wisconsin Sea Grant will unveil a work of public art on Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Sturgeon Bay City Hall, 421 Michigan St. The public is invited to an outdoor reception at 11:30 am – a meet-and-greet with the artists, remarks from city officials and light refreshments.

Wisconsin Sea Grant, which is headquartered at UW-Madison, has field offices in several communities around the state. The organization promotes the sustainable use of Great Lakes resources through research, education and outreach, and it’s part of a national network of 34 Sea Grant programs in coastal and Great Lakes states.

Jim Hurley, Wisconsin Sea Grant’s director, said those in the organization are excited to be celebrating this milestone.

“Because our work benefits the Great Lakes and coastal communities, we wanted to do something special in a place like Sturgeon Bay,” he said. “We’ve partnered with the city on a science-themed artwork that we hope inspires residents and visitors alike to learn more about Lake Michigan and its ecosystem.”

Three artists – Don Krumpos, Erin LaBonte and Jody Henseler – created the artwork that will be unveiled on the exterior of City Hall. Krumpos and LaBonte operate Yonder Studios, an art gallery and event space in downtown Algoma; and Henseler teaches science in the Manitowoc Public Schools.

The mural, which will remain on City Hall for at least a year, highlights human uses of the lake and species native to Lake Michigan.

“Many people are familiar with the prehistoric lake sturgeon, walleye, whitefish and bass, but what about psychedelic-looking algaes like diploneis, stephanodiscus and tabellaria?” Henseler asked. “These are the lake’s unsung heroes and the base of our food chain. They need to be celebrated, known and understood so that we humans can work to keep our waters clean and these microorganisms thriving.”

Local artists and gallery owners Stephanie Trenchard and Margaret Lockwood also played vital roles in the process.

To get more information, contact Jennifer Smith, Wisconsin Sea Grant’s science communicator, at 608.262.6393 or [email protected].