La Crosse, WI - Returning for its 11th year, the beloved arts celebration, Artspire, moves to Riverside Park!

Presented by the Pump House Regional Arts Center, Artspire is an all-inclusive event that attracts, engages, and connects our diverse community through meaningful arts experiences. Its fine art fair and sale showcases collections from over 60 regional artists. For the first time ever, the art fair will run through the entirety of the event.

Guests are welcome to create their own art pieces at Chalkfest, as well as at over a dozen different interactive arts booths hosted by local non-profit businesses. Featured artist Shoua Yang of Ceev Tseg Press will teach guests the art of relief printing. The print designs blend the rich Hmong heritage with American pop culture. Assistants will instruct guests on how to apply different printing techniques with a tortilla press or baron press to create fun prints on paper. Guests may also grab a free tote bag with a special Artspire design by Shoua himself. This engagement is supported by the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Artspire also presents live performances throughout the day on the bandshell. Enjoy dance, storytelling, and music from local and regional artists. The lineup includes returning favorites like the Ho-Chunk Singers and Dancers, as well as new acts like Tania Tandias Flamenco and Spanish Dance, the alt-rock duo, Seasaw, and postpunk, Latin alternative band, The Braided Janes. Between performances, the Pump House will announce the winners of the Inspired by La Crosse Art Competition, as well as the Altra Artist Awards.

Food trucks will provide a range of fan favorites including barbecue, Mexican, and Asian fusion cuisine, as well as drinks & frozen treats. Additional beverages, like Culligan water, coffee, and local brews are available at drink stations manned by Pearl Street Brewery, Sensi, and Bees Knees Coffee Co. Guests are welcome to enjoy their drinks throughout the park.

Artspire happens rain or shine! If there is inclement weather, the Artspire Rain Plan is to move performances to the Pump House at 119 King Street in downtown La Crosse, with artist booths and Chalkfest setting up in the first levels of the Riverside Parking Ramp and Riverside Building 3. Food trucks will park nearby. Follow us on Facebook to see if Artspire is moving to the rain site.

For more details on Artspire or to sign up as a volunteer for the event, visit www.artspire.thepumphouse.org.

Details

What: Artspire

Where: Riverside Park, 100 State Street, La Crosse, WI

When: Saturday, June 8, 2024, 10am-7pm

Admission: FREE!

Performance Schedule:

10 AM – Dance Celebration featuring La Crosse Dance Center, YMCA Dance Program, and I & E Dance Company

11 AM – Sneak Peak of Cinderella Jr with La Crosse Community Theatre’s Penguin Project

11:30 AM – Hans Mayer

12:30 PM – Ho-Chunk Singers & Dancers

1:30 PM – Driftless Urban Orchestra

2:30 PM – Inspired by La Crosse Winners Announcement & Procession of a Species

3:00 PM – Tania Tandias Flamenco and Spanish Dance

4:00 PM – Altra Artist Awards

4:30 PM – Seasaw

6:00 PM – The Braided Janes

Where to Park:

• Harbor View One lot on State Street
• International Garden lot, off of E Veterans Memorial Drive
• Front Street
• Downtown parking ramps and streets. Read signs for payment instructions and/or time restrictions!
• Bike rack near entrance of Artspire grounds

**The upper levels of the Riverside Parking Ramp and Riverside Building 3 will be accessible for parking even if Artspire is moved to the rain site.

Click Here for more information.