La Crosse mayor embraces art in the public square

There have been plenty of debates about art recently in La Crosse.

What’s appropriate on public property and who decides?

The more debates, the better, La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat said Monday, in the WIZM studio.

He says art, like the mural just approved to get painted on a parking ramp, says a lot about the city.

“An indicator that there’s things going on,” Kabat said. “People are living here and creating things. I’m all for it. I’d love to see more of more of those types of murals and have them all around the city, not necessarily just downtown but all over. Because I do think any place you have a blank wall, you have an opportunity to enhance it.”

Kabat says he’d welcome private property owners adding very visibly public art on buildings, as well.

He says art only adds to the city.

“If we get to the point where we have just a lot more of that all over, I think that would be a good problem to have,” Kabat said. “Again, I think that’s a good indicator that you have a vibrant, engaged community that really want to make this place better.

“I think there’s room for all of it. That would be a great challenge to have. Say, ‘Hey wait a minute, we have too much public art in this community.'”

Watch the full interview below.