Visual Art

MORE AND MORE MURALS: Here's A Couple New Murals To Check Out

the Chippewa Valley has no shortage of amazing murals, here's a few more to add to your 'must see' list

Sawyer Hoff, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

1. morsbach goat prairie

Joe Maurer

This beauty is ready for your viewing pleasure over on the east end of Banbury Place and can be seen when driving down Galloway Street. This mural is the first to be completed of many on that stretch of the fence. Thanks to the curation from ColorBlock, a local outdoor exhibition of murals, the “Morsbach Goat Prairie” mural, and others will adorn the side of Banbury Place, bringing a pop of color amid all the industrial brick and concrete. Joe created this piece to bring awareness to the need to protect biodiversity such as this prairie near Ella, Wisconsin, on the Lower Chippewa, according to a Facebook post made by ColorBlock. Keep watching out for more murals along that wall as ColorBlock artists continue to showcase their work in Eau Claire this summer.


2. Leinenkugel’s

WowGee (formerly MadWraps) & Leinie’s Team

The iconic Chippewa Falls brewery is now enshrined on the back wall of Heartbreakers Pub (1705 County Highway OO, Chippewa Falls) for the community to enjoy. It was installed on June 14 by WowGee, a custom design and print company, in an effort to showcase all that Leinenkugel’s has done for the Chippewa Falls community. The design was a collaboration between both Heartbreakers and the Leinie’s team, as one of Leinenkugel’s graphic designers came up with the design after Heartbreakers brought them the idea. So far people are loving the new mural, especially with the bean bag leagues, kubb leagues, and other outdoor recreation happening on the Heartbreakers’ back patio. Instead of a large blank wall, patrons can now enjoy the scenery of one of Chippewa Falls’ favorite spots.


3. Barry

Chris Johnson - Passion Board Shop

If you’ve skated or biked on over to the “Skate Spot” that opened last summer on First Avenue, then you’ve probably met Barry. After designing and helping to build the structure, Chris Johnson knew he wanted a mural painted on it, he just didn’t know he would be doing it himself. After getting it approved with the city, Johnson turned to Instagram to help get the project funded, which he did. All of the people that donated are enshrined on the side of the structure and Barry has been put to good use since! Johnson said he wanted to create the Bigfoot-like creature with his arms up to allow for photos that looked as though Barry was holding people. He has many similar designs of creatures in the works, his motto simply being, “I create art to make people smile.” And smile they have since Barry has become a part of Eau Claire!