BARABOO, Wis. — A new mural will soon go up on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Christopher Sweet is an artist based out of Baraboo, Wisconsin. He has his own gallery and art studio, Blue Bear Studio, in the Baraboo area.
Sweet started doing murals when he was in fifth grade. For Sweet, art was a hobby back then, but in the past few years, he’s finally turned it into a career.
“I never thought I would go anywhere with my artwork besides doodling here and there. So I feel pretty blessed to be doing that,” Sweet said.
Sweet is in the middle of another mural project right now that will be displayed in Milwaukee. However, his next project will be a mural that will leave a permanent mark on the campus of UW-Stevens Point.
“I just want to honor all those nations and express the story behind it and give the recognitions to them, to all the nations,” Sweet said.
The campus sits on the ancestral lands of both the Ho-Chunk and Menominee people. Sweet is a part of the Ho-Chunk Nation. He said he’s honored to keep his heritage alive through art.
“I feel real good about what I am doing. There is a lot of spiritual feelings that I like to put into it,” Sweet said.
Putting his heart and soul into the project, Sweet said he hopes the mural brings healing and creates a sense of unity. The mural will showcase students and their ancestors cheering them on, a way to share the history of the land while keeping their stories alive.
The mural is expected to be installed by the end of this year.