Rice Lake to become known for its beautiful sunsets

Those visiting downtown Rice Lake are now assured to see a beautiful sunset over the lake with blue herons gliding overhead — even when storm clouds threaten — thanks to the efforts of muralist Lauren Hill of Rice Lake.

She has transformed the south wall of the Chamber’s warehouse into a 12-foot-high and 72-foot-long work of art that aims to welcome people to the city.

“I just wanted it to be super vibrant,” she said.

A newly pebbled area in front of it with tall grasses blowing in the breeze and large rocks helps to create a three-dimensional look.

Jody Greiner, executive director of the Rice Lake Chamber, shared how the idea for a mural came to be.

“Chris Olsen and I originally talked about the idea of a mural when I first started,” Greiner said. “I had reached out to the college, but unfortunately the interested students did not have the time. I got Lauren’s name and reached out to her. I told her we wanted something northwoodsy and/or related to the area. She came up with two very cool designs and the current one with the blue herons, lake and sunset is what we decided on. She has done an amazing job working around all of the rain we have had this summer.”

Olsen, who is the owner of Northwoods Promotions and Apparel and Ventures Apparel downtown Rice Lake, said, “The mural on the south wall of the warehouse was something we have wanted to create for years. Imagine driving north across the bridge and as you enter the historic downtown, you have a beautiful mural waiting for a picture opportunity. Using #northwoodshometown will help put Rice Lake on the electronic map and drive tourism to the area.

“So many cities around the nation have murals but few capture the true essence of the community and what we experience on a daily basis,” he added.

“It is such a welcoming feature to downtown,” Sara Lawton, owner of the Poppy Popcorn Co., remarked.

“The mural is going to be a beautiful entrance to the downtown and a nice photo op spot for visitors and residents,” the Chamber director agreed, saying,” We would like anyone who takes a picture and puts it on social media to tag #northwoodshometown.”

Raindrops, paint don’t mix

Hill said once the design was agreed upon she started the largest art project she has ever undertaken the beginning of June. She credits two assistants for helping her out most days. They are Marcy Padilla of Milwaukee and C.J. Squirrelheart of Hertel.

“There were lots of rainy days, so it’s been pretty spread out,” said the muralist who used exterior flat house paint. “There would be spots where water had been dripping, but we were able to fix it.”

She said yet to finish up on the mural are more detailed feathering on the herons and some additions to the lake.

“I think we might add some grasses, cattails and rice paddies,” Hill said. “All the little details will bring it into completion.”

She also plans to put her name on it somewhere.

“I will sign it, but I’m still trying to figure out how to do that,” Hill said. “I want it to fit in well and not look tacky.”

The muralist is pleased with how the scene has turned out.

“It’s been a huge work in progress,” Hill said of the 60 hours she has put into it thus far. “On a canvas this big it’s been very vulnerable. Everybody can see every second of it. It’s been a little crazy. I would say there’s times when it felt like a huge challenge.”

She appreciates the gestures of support and encouragement she has received while working on it.

“There’s been lots of honking, lots of shouts of ‘good job’ or ‘looks great,’” the artist said of people cheering her on while driving, riding bike or walking by.

It’s also another thing she can cross off her bucket list.

“This is my first outdoor mural,” the artist said. “I’ve done bedroom walls before but nothing like this. It’s always been one of my dreams to do a mural. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity like this to come up for a long time.”