About The Artist

Artist Sarah Pederson of Coon Valley stands in front of one of her murals at Gundersen Health System in La Crosse. A Raccoon looks over her shoulder while she touches a squirrel's nose.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about my background! Please read on to learn more about my biography, awards & exhibitions, articles & press, and a list of businesses where I’ve painted murals. Feel free to contact me if you would like to know more!

 

Artist Statement

Sarah strives to create artwork that portrays the beauty of nature and of life, with a feeling of calmness and tranquility. While best known for her trompe l’oeil murals, Sarah has a diverse portfolio as she paints primarily by commission, creating artwork that speaks to the hearts of each of her clients. She loves developing unique designs and compositions, often incorporating shadows and perspective to bring specific elements to life in her murals.

 

 

Biography

  • Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing; University of Wisconsin – Madison.
  • Member, Salon of the International Society of Decorative Painters, since 2021.
  • Member, International Decorative Artisans League (IDAL), since 2012.
  • Graduate of Westby Area High School, Westby, WI.
  • Former Career Highlights:
    • Lead Administrator, Robert Half International, Eugene, Oregon.
    • PR/Marketing Coordinator at Butler County Health Care Center, David City, Nebraska.
    • Inventory Coordinator / Local Sales Assistant, WXOW-TV, La Crosse, WI.
Sarah Pederson standing in front of her 100 Extraordinary Women mural at the Westby Area Performing Arts Center.

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Awards and Exhibitions 

While my main focus is painting murals, I also paint on canvas, apply for exhibits, and create digital artwork. I truly find peace and joy in being able to create, regardless of the medium. 

  • “Survival” Exhibit featuring select artwork from private collection, Gundersen Health System, 3rd floor Skywalk Display Case, La Crosse, WI; July 1 – 31, 2019.
  • “Las Vegas Portraits” Exhibit, Juried portrait contest honoring victims of the Las Vegas attack on Oct. 1, 2017, Clark Cty. Govt. Center, Las Vegas, NV; Sept. 17 – Oct. 19, 2018.
  • “Birds of a Feather” Pop Up Exhibit, THE GALLERY at Grand River Station, La Crosse, WI; April 27-28, 2018.
  • Featured Artist, Demonstration Arts Tent, Sponsored by Gerhard’s Kitchen & Bath Store / First Supply; Artspire, June 10, 2017.
  • The Official Artist of the La Crosse Loggers, 2017 Season.
  • Winning Design, Logo Contest, Bekkum Memorial Library, Jan. 2017.
  • “Survival” Exhibit showcasing my original canvas artwork. Pump House Regional Arts Center, Front Gallery, July 20 – Aug. 27, 2016.
  • Juried Exhibition: [art]ifact, “Where History Meets Art.” Pump House Regional Arts Center, A collaboration of UW-L Dept. of History, La Crosse County Historical Society, and Pump House Regional Arts Center. Feb. 24 – April 17, 2016.
  • 1st Place (Blue Ribbon), Vernon County Fair. Open Class Acrylic Painting, Sept. 11-14, 2014.
  • Best Connection Award, “Mark My Words Again” Exhibit. Pump House Regional Arts Center, Sept. 5 – Oct. 19, 2013.
  • First Place, Master Category. Washburn Garden Expo rain barrel painting contest, March 16, 2013.
  • Director’s Choice, “1 Foot in the Door” Exhibit. Pump House Regional Arts Center, October 2012.
Lady slipper orchid in full bloom with tendrils coming beyond the trompe l'oeil frame. A tiger swallowtail butterfly chrysalis is in the upper corner, waiting to hatch.
“Transformation” 8″x8″ acrylic on canvas; Private Collection

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Articles and Press

I’m ever thankful for newspapers, publications, companies and friends who share my artwork with others. ♥ I’d love to create a mural for you that ends up in print or on tv ~ let’s fill the world with art!

  • Murals at Chileda Shine, Featured on WXOW News 19, by Heather Armstrong. August 27, 2023. See the Story.
  • Mural in Caledonia, MN Pocket Park, Southern MN Initiative Foundation, Feb. 21, 2022. Read the Blog Post.
  • Mural in Caledonia, MN Pocket Park, The Caledonia Argus, Aug. 11, 2021. See the photo.
  • Guest Speaker, The Artist Academy PodCast, July 14, 2020. Listen Now.
  • Murals at Bekkum Memorial Library, Westby Times, July 3, 2020. Read the Article.
  • Murals at Prairie Catholic School, Courier Press Newspaper, January 2020.
  • Murals at DnA Vintners, Greens Coulee Life Publication, Sept. 2019.
  • Murals in Gundersen Health System Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Dept; Funded with a grant by Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
    • Featured on WXOW News 19, by Brittany Lake. June 3, 2019. See the story.
    • WKBT News 8, by Jordan Fremstad. June 20, 2019. See the story.
    • La Crosse Tribune & The Westby Times, by Emily Pyrek, June 14 & 21, 2019. Read the article.
  • Mural in new Westby Area Performing Arts Center, featured in The Westby Times, June 2018. Read the article.
  • Featured Artist, ADRC Connect, ADRC of Monroe County, Sparta, WI, March 2018.
  • “Everyone Has a Story”, WXOW News 19 with Heather Armstrong, July 27, 2017. See the story.
  • Featured Artist, International Decorative Artisans League, February, 2017.  See the video.
  • Featured Artist, Philo Films & Issues, August, 2016. Read the newsletter.
  • “Survival” Exhibit, La Crosse Tribune, July 9, 2016. Read the article.
  • [art]ifact Exhibit, UW-L campus News. Feb 15, 2016. Read the article.
  • Murals in the Westby-Christiana Fire Dept., featured in The Westby Times, December 2015. Read article #1. Read article #2.
  • Featured Artist, La Crosse Magazine, Sept/Oct. 2015.
Sarah Pederson was the featured artist in this issue of the La Crosse Magazine. Clay Riness wrote the article and took photos of my murals for this magazine.
Featured Artist in La Crosse Magazine, Sept/Oct. 2015.

  • Little Free Library, Painting Donation in Coon Valley, Fall 2014. Read the article.

  • Henry Joseph Thomas Mural at Knutson Memorial Library, featured in The Westby Times, October 15, 2014. Read the article. Click the photo below to see the video that Henry’s mom, Tina, put together with photos of the mural in progress. Please keep them in your thoughts with this heartbreaking loss.

    A large open book appears to be resting against the wall above the bookshelves, open to a page in Memory of Henry Joseph Thomas.
    Trompe l’oeil book on faux wood shelf, in memory of Henry.

  • Four-seasons mural at Knutson Memorial Library, featured in The Westby Times, February 2013. Read the article.

  • Fall landscape mural featured in the LaCrosse Tribune, Home and Garden Section, April 2012. Read the article.

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References

If you would like to see any of my work in person, here is a list of businesses I have worked with, beginning with my most recent and upcoming projects. I also have a long list of residential customers who would be more than happy to show you their murals, too!

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