West Bend’s growing status as a regional cultural center took another step forward last with the installation of a billboard-size digital reproduction of Reginald Baylor’s painting of the Milwaukee River in fall colors.
A stunning upstream rendition of the Milwaukee River in the Fall now graces the river-facing façade of The Bend Theater.
The original painting by Reginald Baylor, a prominent Wisconsin artist, was commissioned by Serigraph in 2007. The printing company reproduced it on chrome-laminated sheets for distribution to its customers and friends. One copy hangs in the Wisconsin governor’s office.
Baylor has a new studio located downtown Milwaukee and is currently working and selling internationally.
A massive digitized version of Baylor’s work, 12 feet wide and 10 feet high has been installed on The Bend Theater’s east wall adjoining the city’s Riverwalk. It covers a scarred section of the rear wall.
“I love that the artwork overlooks the river itself, and that you can hear the murmuring of the small rapids downtown,” said Baylor.
Bill Buettner, a volunteer and director at The Bend and a former Serigraph print manager, oversaw the billboard-size project that was donated by Serigraph. “Our printers had a great time working with Reggie on the reproduction.
“Our hope is that other business owners follow our lead in dressing up their river facades.
People walking along the river are going to get some extra enjoyment as they pass by,” he said.
Baylor was the center of an exhibition of his work at the Museum of Wisconsin Art, (MOWA), also situated on the banks of the Milwaukee River.
“We are delighted to be home to Reggie’s genius in the heart of the West Bend Historic Cultural District,” said Kine Torinus, vice president of The Bend Theater.
“With MOWA and our community sculpture collection, downtown West Bend has become a go-to art destination.”
