Campus Connection

The UW-La Crosse Art Gallery will highlight works of a La Crosse artist. “What I Saw: Landscape Paintings by Jon Erickson” will feature the plein-air paintings of La Crosse artist Jon Erickson. The first large-scale exhibition of Erickson’s work opens with a gallery talk by the artist at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, followed by a reception from 4-6 p.m. in the university art gallery, first floor of the Center for the Arts, 16th and Vine streets. Admission is free. Erickson, a skilled electrician, began painting at age 52, working with mentors while teaching himself the process of constructing images and mastering the media. He studied with noted St. Paul, Minnesota, landscape painter Joe Paquet, working within the American Landscape tradition, rooted in schools of the American Landscape Painting Tradition such as the Hudson River School. Erickson’s paintings focus on the natural environment and present a record of the artist’s interest in capturing the fundamental and transient qualities of the local environment. The exhibit includes selections from multiple series of paintings, each an in-depth exploration of various regional geographies. Informed by the craft of painting, his images reflect a dialog between the artist and the place. Through the diligence of observation, the images present not only a physical rendering of the place, but speak to the spirituality inherent in the natural world. The exhibit runs through Saturday, Nov. 7. Regular gallery hours are noon-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and during events in Toland Theatre. For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact the Art Department at 608.785.8230. This exhibition is made possible through the generous support from the College of Liberal Studies, Student Association and the UWL Foundation. If you go— What: Exhibit: “What I Saw: Landscape Paintings by Jon Erickson” When: Oct. 16-Nov. 7 Where: University Art Gallery, Center for the Arts, 16th and Vine streets Opening: Friday, Oct. 16: Artist’s talk 3-4 p.m., opening reception 4-6 p.m. in the gallery Admission: Free Regular gallery hours: noon-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, noon-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and during events are in Toland Theatre.