Glimpse | Scooter’s Mural In The (Storage) Closet

Betty Nikia |

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in the Chippewa Valley has a manifold history that was captured in a mural and unveiled during the local LGBT Pride activities in 2001. The mural was a brainstorm between David Baranek, co-owner of Scooter’s Bar at 411 Galloway St., and Miss Dee-Lovely, Eau Claire’s nationally known drag performer. Over two months, Dee researched local LGBT history and interviewed community members. She then distilled the findings down to a list of approximately 35 individuals, businesses, and publications that most strongly impacted and shaped the local LGBT community. People contributed photographs and logos from the 1980s to 2001, which Dee projected onto a surface and painted in acrylic. Once completed, the grand scale piece was installed above the dance floor at Scooter’s. The mural remained on display until this spring, when it was removed and put into storage to make room for a wall of mirrors and flat screen televisions. “Needless to say, I was a bit saddened by the removal,” said Miss Dee-Lovely. “At the time, I posted a blog requesting members of the community to speak out in support of its preservation. The feedback I received was very positive, and David Baranek has since assured me that the mural will remain safely in storage until a location is secured for its re-assembly and possible restoration.” Co-owner Jody Kvapil said, “We plan on putting the mural up on a different wall once we get done with renovations to the bathrooms and the patio.”