Jennifer Bushman and Matt Duckett

Jennifer Bushman, a Wittenberg native, received her Bachelor’s in Fine Art from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. She has exhibited her art work around the state, and taken top honors at Wittenberg’s Chalk Fest and the 2009 WOW Juried Art Exhibition, as well as winning other awards. She is currently a graphic designer with Reinhart FoodService and a director of Green Bay Street Studio.

Matt Duckett recently completed a Bachelor’s degree in both Fine Art and English from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He has been rewarded numerous times for his artistic merit since enrolling at UWL, including being the first and only student commissioned by the University for a new work for the Murphy Library collection, and being the first and only student commissioned to paint a portrait of the Chancellor. In addition to this, Matt has won many other awards and grants for his artwork, and is active with various commissions. He has exhibited work in both Wisconsin and Minnesota, recently being selected to participate in the Southeast Minnesota Regional Juried Art Exhibition.

Matt Duckett and Jenn Bushman established the Green Bay Street Studio in early 2008, not only as an outlet for their own artistic impulses, but for those of their community as well. The studio holds figure drawing sessions, workshops, and works with area schools—from elementary to university level—to foster and invigorate the arts in La Crosse. They have become a cornerstone of the arts in the region, attracting artists and students from Iowa and Minnesota and exhibiting their work throughout the tri-state area.

Jenn and Matt contributed the mural, “Color-Findness,” seen on Dr. Goga’s eye clinic. The two created a design that engaged the tools of the eye care trade, referencing color-blindness tests, swirling complementary circles and buried imagery. Although the mural does not incorporate color-blindness-sensitive mechanics, there is much to be seen within the mural beyond what stands out at first sight.