During the 2022–23 school year, Antigo came together in a remarkable way. Every student, teacher, and even community members were invited to shape a small clay “personal tile” under the guidance of Wisconsin mosaic artist Connie Greany. With rolling pins, stamps shaped like mittens, gloves, and hearts, participants created tiles that reflected what they love most about Antigo and what it means to belong here.

Once glazed and fired, these individual works were assembled into a vibrant mural—hundreds of tiles from middle-schoolers, dozens more from parents and teachers, and unique contributions from high-school students and residents. Community tile-making sessions and specialty tile purchases helped fund the project, making it a true labor of love for Antigo.

The finished mural, installed at Antigo High School, stretches eight feet long and three feet wide on a precast concrete form. One side depicts a glowing sunrise and sunset over the landscape, symbolizing both the passage of time and the community’s hopes for the future. At its heart is the theme of “belongingness”—the idea that everyone has a place in Antigo.

This project is part of a broader initiative to bring community-made mosaics to every school in Antigo, as well as a large outdoor public mural. Led by Greany, with support from art teacher Justin Markgraf, the Unified School District of Antigo, Antigo Visual Arts, the Wisconsin Arts Board, and the National Endowment for the Arts, the effort involved everyone from bus drivers to local businesses to retirees. By the end of the school year, each public school in the district proudly displayed its own mosaic.

Visitors to Antigo are invited to stop by the Antigo High School campus to view the Community Mosaic but should be respectful of the schoolgrounds and try to visit outside of regular school hours.

The exterior of Antigo Middle School is home to several public art displays. A variety of clay tiles with various designs adorns the entrance and side of the building, and a large array of bottlecap art sits beside the building.

Handcrafted clay tiles created by Bob Anderson and Bette Ebel’s Antigo Middle School art classes add a distinctive, student-made element above the building's entrance and along the side of the entranceway. Each tile features individually formed textures and imagery, reflecting students’ creativity while contributing to a cohesive installation. Together, the tiles serve as a lasting visual record of the school community and a point of pride for students, families, and visitors.

The  Legacy Mosaic Murals, completed in March 2023, are a vibrant community art project that welcomes visitors outside Antigo Middle School. These tiles were personalized by students, families, and local businesses before being assembled and polished into a colorful, unified work of art under the guidance of artist Connie Greany. 

The bottlecap installation at Antigo Middle School was created in partnership with the school’s art teacher, Ms. Gerhartz, during a hands-on Earth Day event on April 14, 2022. Working in the AMS art room, students helped assemble colorful “cap strings” while learning about sustainability, including a video presentation on the life cycle of a plastic bottle. About a year later, Antigo Middle School’s janitorial staff constructed the wooden frame that now displays the hanging cap strands. The result is a vibrant, community-built piece that celebrates creativity, environmental stewardship, and teamwork.
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Visitor note: To ensure safety and respect for school operations, guests are asked to view the mural outside of regular school hours.

          

 

Ethyl is a one-of-a-kind creation made entirely from recycled polyethylene bottle caps, collected by both friends and strangers through the Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) Recycle Art Program.

Crafted in 2022 by AVA member Vicki Eldridge, Ethyl is built from 1,100 brightly colored plastic bottle caps—a true testament to creativity and sustainability. Standing 4 feet tall, she’s made of 100% recycled materials and proudly carries the spirit of community art.

During 2022 and 2023, Ethyl served as a cheerful traveling mascot, making appearances in local Antigo businesses and bringing smiles wherever she went. Today, you can spot her perched high in the rafters of Antigo City Hall, where she continues to celebrate the city’s dedication to art, recycling, and community pride.
 

     

Tucked behind Bradley Funeral Home in Antigo, Flag at Rest is a unique work of art and community pride. Designed by Vicki Eldridge, constructed by Joel Eldridge, and engineered by Eric Dehart, the piece is built entirely from recycled materials — from its post and panels to the caps and rotating base.

This remarkable installation includes 1,675 screws, 13 bolts, and 3,350 plastic bottle caps, and required more than 200 hours of labor to complete. The flag itself weighs 70 pounds and is engineered to rotate 180 degrees, always remaining respectfully illuminated at night.

A symbol of craftsmanship, sustainability, and patriotism, Flag at Rest is a must-see stop when exploring Antigo and Langlade County.
 

  

Discover a stunning and unexpected art experience at the Antigo Public Library, where visitors are welcomed by vibrant mosaics created entirely from recycled plastic bottle caps and small found plastic objects. Local artist Beatie Gmeiner has transformed everyday discarded materials into detailed, colorful works of art that capture both imagination and community pride.

Among the featured pieces are two striking eye mosaics, a bold hibiscus flower, and a remarkable large-scale mosaic of Antigo’s original Carnegie Library building. Now displayed in the library foyer, the Carnegie Library piece is one of Gmeiner’s most meaningful works, honoring the history and character of this beloved community landmark. Her art is known for its incredible detail, with every cap hand-selected by color, carefully trimmed when needed, and individually placed to create depth, texture, and visual surprise.

These one-of-a-kind mosaics are more than art displays. They are a celebration of creativity, recycling, and local talent. Visitors will notice the intricate patterns, rich color blending, and playful hidden details created from tiny plastic toys and other repurposed materials tucked into the designs.

A visit to the Antigo Public Library offers the chance to experience these unique pieces up close and appreciate the craftsmanship that has earned recognition beyond the community, including a state award and exhibition opportunities across Wisconsin. The artwork is only viewable during the Antigo Public Library’s open hours, so visitors should plan their stop accordingly.

This mural, designed and painted by Linda Robinson and Mary Hayes in 2022, depicts several racehorses and their jockeys surging onto the Langlade County Fairgrounds racetrack in a scene common around here for much of the 20h century.

Antigo was once a major center for horse racing, ranging from harness horses campaigned by Charlie Tiepner and others through the Antigo Trotting Association into the middle of the 20th century, when teens with tough attitudes rode bareback in the Hully Gullies. In the 1960s, a racing circuit formed, stretching from Antigo and Shawano, to Keshena and Fond du Lac. Eventually, some local racers even broke out onto professional tracks in Illinois and Kentucky.

Although racing’s heyday in the Northwoods is long past, the old “Leaky Roof Circuit” spawned many renowned professional horsemen, including Kentucky Derby-winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas, who is enshrined in the Racing Hall of Fame.

                 

Located at the entrance of Langlade County's Veterans Memorial Park, this striking mural serves as a powerful tribute to service and community. Created in 2011 by artists Andy Goretski of Tomahawk’s Custom Murals, Dave Petri of Green Bay, and Dale Knaak of Sheboygan, the mural blends artistic talent with heartfelt meaning. Surrounding the mural are gold squares dedicated as memorials to loved ones, as well as space along the sides of the monument for plaques honoring veterans. This meaningful installation was made possible through a generous donation from Ed and Martha Stasek.

 

 

Residents and visitors are encouraged to stop by the Langlade County Humane Society on Clermont Street to see the Langlade County Humane Society's creative public art installation on display along Clermont Street in Antigo.

The project began when Humane Society representative Terrie Colby approached Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) with an idea to recreate the Langlade County Humane Society logo using recycled plastic bottle caps. The concept became part of AVA’s ongoing Plastic Bottle Cap Project, which transforms everyday materials into colorful community artwork.

AVA artist Sharon Gibson brought the idea to life, creating a detailed mosaic featuring the Humane Society’s familiar cat and dog logo. The finished piece is now displayed on the fence outside the Langlade County Humane Society at 2204 Clermont Street in Antigo. The installation highlights recycling, public art, and the power of nonprofit collaboration in the Antigo community.
 

  

Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) proudly announced on Friday, June 27, 2025, the completion and installation of a new public mural that now graces the south side of the Marathon Express Mart in Antigo, thanks to the continued partnership between AVA and the City of Antigo through its public art mural program. This initiative was made possible in part by funds set aside from the City’s facade grant program to support public art that enhances the beauty and character of our local downtown.

Created by local artists Beatie Gmeiner, age 83, and Pat Packard, age 90—who first met over 35 years ago in a painting class—their shared love of art has connected them, and now their talents are on full display for the community to enjoy.

Painted on four 4 x 8 foot panels at the AVA Art Center in Aspen Village, the finished 8 x 16 foot mural features a serene lakeside scene alive with native wildlife: a sandhill crane, mallard ducks, Canadian geese, a leaping bass, a turtle basking on a log, with a majestic bald eagle overlooking. The eagle was inspired by a photograph captured by local photographer Barb Blahnik.

“This mural is more than just art on a wall—it’s a vibrant expression of community pride, creativity, and the stories that shape us,” said Angie Close, Chairperson of the City of Antigo Public Art Committee and Executive Director of Langlade County Economic Development.

Willie Clark, owner of the Marathon Express Mart where the mural now resides, expressed his enthusiasm: “I am really excited to have the mural going up on my building at 702 Superior Street. It is a great way to bring some color and creativity to the neighborhood, and we love the design that Pat and Beatie came up with. I am happy to support local art and hope the mural brings some joy and inspiration to everyone who passes by.”

The mural was installed on the morning of June 26, 2025, with the help of Jacob from Waldner Properties, who generously volunteered his time to hang the boards.

Danna Gabriel, President of Antigo Visual Arts and fellow Public Art Committee member, expressed her personal connection to the project:
“It’s been an honor to help bring this mural to life through the City of Antigo’s partnership with Antigo Visual Arts. Having my mom, Beatie, and her dear friend, Pat, paint this beautiful piece has been incredibly meaningful—not just for our community, but for me personally. My mom’s creativity has inspired me since I was young, and to see her leave her mark on our downtown in this way is something I’ll cherish forever. I’m so proud of both Beatie and Pat, and proud of our city for investing in public art that celebrates both beauty and legacy.”

Brian Ponshock, a member of both Antigo Visual Arts and the City’s Public Art Committee, and the artist behind the veterans mural on Neve’s Floors To Go Furniture & Mattress Gallery in 2021, added: “This mural will add to the beauty of our downtown and give our community another wonderful piece of art done by local artists.”

This project would not have been possible without the generous support of the City of Antigo, the Remington Foundation, CoVantage Credit Union, Johnson Electric Coil Company Inc., and many other community supporters.

Special thanks to Marathon Express Mart for hosting this stunning mural and to all who helped make this vision a reality.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to drive by the Marathon Express Mart to experience the mural firsthand—a meaningful and lasting contribution to Antigo’s public art landscape.

View Beatie Gmeiner and Pat Packard's interview with WJFW by clicking here. 

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The Antigo Visual Arts Public Art Committee, AHS Art Club students, and Schroeder’s Gifts have come together to beautify Highway 45! The process has begun to paint a Charming Northwoods theme mural on the north-facing wall of the Schroeder's Gift Frame Shop barn. High school senior Brett Powell designed the vibrant, welcoming design, and the art club student body, staff advisors, and AVA volunteers are all contributing to the painting process.

The wall was cleaned and primed in April 2024. In June 2024, the Antigo High School (AHS) Art Club, in collaboration with Antigo Visual Arts (AVA), proudly completed the Schroeder’s Gift mural on the north wall of the gift barn. This artistic endeavor was a testament to community collaboration and creativity.

Olivia Kraucyk, advisor to the AHS Art Club and a board member of AVA, expressed her enthusiasm: “I hope anyone passing through Antigo, whether local or visitor, will feel a sense of joy and community when they see the mural. It truly embodies the spirit of our town.”

The mural project was initiated by Schroeder’s Gifts, who sought to engage local students in the creation process. Olivia led the initiative, working closely with AVA and the City of Antigo. Funding for materials was made possible in part by a grant from the City’s facade improvement program, underscoring Antigo’s commitment to supporting public art initiatives.

Key contributors to the project included Schroeder’s Gifts, the Elwyn Remington Foundation, CoVantage Credit Union, the City of Antigo, and AVA’s Public Art Committee, whose collaboration and financial support were integral to the mural’s success.

Erin Schroeder from Schroeder’s Gifts shared her delight: “We are so happy with how our mural turned out, it’s the perfect addition to our boutique! We hope it brings as much joy & happiness to those driving past as it has us. Huge kudos to Olivia, Danna, Madison, and all the students and community members who took part in creating this beautiful piece of art!”

Olivia Kraucyk extended her appreciation to the students who dedicated their time and talent to the project, including Brett, Aiden, Allison, Kollin, Max, Matt, Zoe, Julia, Clare, and all community members who contributed to its realization.

    

In November 2021, the Antigo Visual Arts (AVA) group unveiled the first of several bottle cap art installations by local artist and AVA member, Vicki Eldridge. Titled Reflections, this vibrant piece welcomes visitors in front of the Antigo Public Library.

Crafted almost entirely from recycled materials—every element except the screws—Reflections is both a celebration of creativity and a tribute to sustainability. This community-inspired artwork highlights the beauty that can be created when art and environmental awareness come together.

The project began at an AVA holiday party in December 2019, inspired by Greg Koeppel’s recycled art garden. Community members started collecting clean plastic bottle caps at the Antigo Public Library. During the COVID crisis, the project expanded to Spring Brook trail, offering a creative outlet. Johnson Electric Coil Co. Inc., generously provided land for the installations after some initial challenges. The projects were installed here in fall 2021 and are rotated to new locations along the trail.

    

Painted in June 2021 on the east side of Neve's Floor To Go Furniture & Mattress Gallery. This mural by Brian Ponshock salutes Langlade County’s veterans. Antigo has hosted many brave and famous veterans throughout its history. The very first was the town’s founder, Francis Deleglise, who fought for the Union at both the Battles of Gettysburg and Atietam in the famous Iron Brigade. In World War One, the 107th Trench Mortar Battery Company out of Langlade County was deployed to France in February 1918, and participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, which was the largest and deadliest battle for the Americans during the war. 

Antigo’s most famous veteran is likely John Bradley, who served in the Navy during World War Two and helped raise the American flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, although he only participated in the first flag-raising, not the second one captured in the famous photograph. Many of Langlade County’s veterans have also participated in the Gulf War, Iraq War, and War in Afghanistan. 


   

The West Elementary Legacy Mosaic Mural, completed in May 2024, is a vibrant community art project that welcomes visitors outside the front entrance of West Elementary School.

This stunning mosaic was created tile by tile, with individual pieces personalized by students, families, and local businesses before being assembled and polished into a colorful, unified work of art. Under the guidance of artist Connie Greany, the mural celebrates creativity and collaboration.

The Legacy Mosaic Mural is a meaningful stop for those exploring the area’s public art and history. Its bright imagery and heartfelt contributions reflect the pride and connection shared by generations of families who call this community home.

Visitor note: To ensure safety and respect for school operations, guests are asked to view the mural outside of regular school hours.
 

        

Discover a unique collection of public art at the Wolf River Territory Scenic Stop. This roadside stop features two eye-catching Bigfoot murals, a charming wooden butterfly, and several other rustic wooden art displays that add character to the natural setting. Visitors can enjoy a short walk along the path to view the artwork, with benches placed along the way for relaxing and taking in the scenery. The scenic stop is located by The Goose and Wolf River Tubes, with parking available on both ends of Blue Goose Drive.

       

Step back in time and experience the rich logging history of Wisconsin’s Northwoods at the Joe Edelman White Lake Pavilion. Inside this charming lakeside gathering space, visitors will find the striking Yawkey-Bissell Lumber Company Sawmill Mural, a vivid artistic tribute to the industry that shaped the community of White Lake.

The mural captures the bustle and grit of the early 1900s sawmill era, when the Yawkey-Bissell Lumber Company was one of the most prominent operations in the region. With incredible detail and craftsmanship, the artwork preserves the story of hardworking lumbermen, the power of the White Lake mill, and the enduring connection between people and the surrounding forest.

Today, the Pavilion serves as both a cultural landmark and community hub, hosting local events, celebrations, and visitors eager to explore White Lake’s heritage. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, an art lover, or simply passing through, the mural offers an inspiring glimpse into the village’s past—set against the natural beauty of White Lake itself.