ALL HOPPED UP ON BIG ART. The Brewing Projekt’s recently opened new brewery and event venue at 1807 N. Oxford Ave. now features a colorful mural by artist Dez Lezotte.

You might have noticed a new splash of color creeping across the side of the Brewing Projekt (1807 N. Oxford Ave.) in recent days.  A ginormous hops bud floats mid-scene between a galaxy motif and a burst of high-contrast pigment. It’s the work of local artist Dez Lezotte, who works at UW-Eau Claire in IT. She graduated from the university and spent a few years in Wausau before returning to Eau Claire two years ago. Along with Brittlyn Neumann, a fellow artist, she began work on the project June 2.

“Their beer is really imaginative, which is why I was thinking of the dreaminess.” – artist Dez Lezotte, on her mural for the Brewing Projekt

“There’s just so much more art here than there used to be, and a lot more going on culturally,” Lezotte said. She’s excited to contribute to that trend with her first mural.

Brewing Projekt owner William Glass gave Lezotte free rein to design the piece. She wanted to do something that paid homage to the beverages created within the building.

Mural maker Dez-Lezotte (right) with fellow artist Britlyn Neumann.

“Their beer is just so imaginative, which is why I was thinking of the dreaminess,” Lezotte said. The galaxy imagery on the left-hand part of the mural was a reference to the galaxy hops used to craft the beer. An explosive linear pattern on the right is meant to say “it’s happening,” she said.

“I really hope it makes people happy,” Lezotte said. “We have long winters here, (so) color is always welcome.”  She’s been enjoying frequent visits from people travelling along Oxford Avenue as they stop to take in the sight.  Some people take photos or selfies of the mural, a trend she hopes will continue long after the project is finished.

View more of Lezotte’s work on Instagram @dezLezotte or at dezlezotte.com.