Temple Theatre, Encore Mural 2009-2010

Unveiling celebration of mural will be held on August 6, 2010

PRESS RELEASE 2010

ARTT’s new facility opens with mural dedication
by Sharon Stoleson, ARTT Board of Directors

Nearly 100 guests attended the grand opening and mural dedication held at Encore on Friday.

It proved to be a big night for Viroqua native Bob Hirsch, a renowned jazz pianist.

Encore is the former Common Ground Cafe space on Main Street in Viroqua that has been converted into a smaller concert hall and complimentary facility for the Temple Theatre.

Invited guests included all Associates of the Restored Temple Theatre (ARTT) members and members of the Class of 1955, who were holding their class reunion last weekend. Hirsch is a member of the class.

The evening kicked off with Hirsch playing many of his favorites while guests enjoyed refreshments and socializing. Judy Gates, Karen Hankee and June Pedretti were busy replenishing the food tables with a variety of hors d’oeuvres, punch and coffee.

ARTT president Paula Menn thanked Hirsch for his performance and introduced nationally-recognized mural artist Ken DeWaard and his family. DeWaard’s newest mural, which is hung on the north wall of the front part of Encore, is the 10th he has painted for the Temple facilities.

ARTT and the whole Viroqua community are very blessed to have the remarkable artistic talents of DeWaard permanently on view at the theater. The first nine murals adorn the walls of the theater lobby and feature memorable sights throughout Vernon County.

The new Encore mural, entitled "On Stage at the Temple," is a wide view featuring the historic fire curtain, proscenium arch and the stage with a very special performer in the spotlight. When the cover was removed from the mural, everyone recognized Bob Hirsch as that performer. Hirsch’s surprise was very evident. The scene is familiar to all of us who attended the first show of first season series after the theater’s restoration. Hirsch’s solo performance during the first half of the show was followed by the music of the La Crosse Concert Band.

Next to the mural is a plaque which dedicates this beautiful artwork to Hirsch for all his contributions to ARTT and the entire Viroqua community. Having never forgotten his roots in Viroqua, Hirsch has returned to his hometown nine times to participate in fundraisers for ARTT and other community groups.

The plaque reads in part: "One of the premier stride pianists in the country, Bob donated his extraordinary musical gifts in three performances to benefit ARTT’s restoration capital campaign and the continued operation of the theater as a vital cultural center for Viroqua and the surrounding rural communities… Bob recorded three live concert albums: ’Bob Hirsch-Live at the Temple,’ ’Return to the Temple,’ and a solo album ’Bob Hirsch in Concert.’ Proceeds from sales of these albums are a continuing source of revenue for ARTT."

In addition, Hirsch has contributed financially to the theater by helping to sponsor the first show of the 2009-10 season series.

Hirsch was called to the microphone where he expressed his surprise and great appreciation of the tribute paid to him by ARTT.

The board of directors of ARTT was pleased by being able to keep the subject matter of the mural a big secret until the official unveiling. The mural will now be seen by everyone who walks down the west side of Main Street as well as by those who step into the outer lobby of the theater. ARTT volunteers worked very hard to make the evening a great success and fun for all the guests.

Jazz pianist Bob Hirsch speaks with artist Ken DeWaard after a mural by DeWaard featuring Hirsch was unveiled at the ARTT Encore building on Main Street in Viroqua, Friday night. Photo by Angie Cina

S 4750 Sidie Hollow Rd. Viroqua, WI. 54665