What We Do

The plan had been to celebrate Lois Smith's 90th birthday, May 25th, 2019 with the unveiling of a mural honoring "What We Do" in Wittenberg. Sadly Lois Smith, the founder of Walls of Wittenberg, passed away before seeing her vision come to fruition.

WOW honored Smith’s wishes by unveiling the mural at 2:30 p.m. that Saturday and holding a birthday party at 3 p.m. at the WOWSPACE. Friends, relatives and many of the muralists were on hand to carry on the celebration.

The idea for the mural came when Smith brought one of her grandsons to the Wittenberg Family Barbershop and charged owner Jim Siebert with transforming him.

"He had long hair and a full beard," Siebert said of his customer, "and he went out looking pretty slick." According to Siebert, Smith felt there was artistry in his work as a barber. About a year later, she approached him about having the "What We Do" mural painted on the side of his building at 512 S. Webb St.

"I like the idea of having a mural on the building," Siebert said. "Tourists coming to see the murals might not come in for a haircut. But the next time they come, they might."  Siebert has been at this location since 2008. He had been a barber in Wausau for 32 years before opening his own shop.

The art project, coordinated by muralist Alicia Rheal, includes vignettes by 12 other artists. WOW muralists Ram Rojas, Andy Goretski and Carole Bersin were recruited by Smith: Rheal was tasked with choosing the remaining artists. Rheal who has been involved with four other murals, admitted this one took a lot of organizing. After the artists were chosen in August, they were asked to sketch and submit their designs. Smith, who had wanted to select the designs, passed away in October. Getting to know Smith was an honor, Rheal said. She noted that the benefactor embraced the artists' works and made them feel at home in Wittenberg. Some, she

said, even stayed at Smith's Gotrocks Farm.

"She made so many dreams come true," Rheal said. "She gave us the opportunity to do what we do."

Smith's final donation to WOW covered the costs related to this mural and the birthday celebration. WOW President Elaine Knab, who had worked as Smith's personal assistant for more than 20 years, was happy to help finish this final mural project for Smith. In keeping with Smith's wishes of not having a memorial service, celebrating her birthday with refreshments, champagne and birthday cake at the completion of her last mural seemed appropriate, Knab said.