Marshfield Native Gene Wesley Finishes Mural at Hardacre Park
Those traveling on Central Avenue now have a quiet place to sit and reflect, thanks to Marilyn Hardacre Park. The brainchild of Paul Rogers and financed through donations, the park boasts a beautiful mural painted by local artist Gene Wesley.
A Marshfield native, Wesley is a 1966 graduate of Columbus Catholic High School and has studied art all over the country, including in Minneapolis, New York City, and Boston.
From a young age, Wesley knew his calling.
“Something always said ‘you are an artist’”,” said Wesley, reflecting on his career during a recent interview on Marshfield Community Television.
With a solid background in commercial painting (water towers, bridges), Wesley studied under several master painters before achieving his dream of becoming a landscape painter.
Now settled back in Marshfield, Wesley enjoys photographing the Wisconsin countryside, gathering inspiration from the clouds, colors, and lighting of the beautiful landscapes surrounding the city.
When Rogers approached Wesley about undertaking the extensive mural project at Hardacre Park, Wesley was a bit apprehensive. However, as someone who has painted murals throughout the world, he cherished the opportunity to give back to his community.
“I love it here,” said Wesley. “The mural is a little piece of me in my community.”
Wesley’s mural is unique in that it incorporates smaller paintings into one cohesive design.
“The design is my design. I figured out how to put it all together and incorporate the paintings, Marilyn Hardacre’s projects and the historical paintings, all into one mural,” he said.
Visit Hardacre Park in downtown Marshfield, and watch the MCTV program to learn more about Wesley and his incredible work on the park.
