Mem-mural-izing Hodag Water Shows

By Eileen Persike, editor

RHINELANDER – The Hodag Water Shows' concession and storage building is being transformed into a work of public art. Local artist and business owner Tom Barnett was commissioned to paint a mural on the wall facing the walking path at Hodag Park. The scene depicts a lake, trees, a Hodag on water skis and a family in a boat.

Barnett, who owns Tom's Drawing Board, said he has painted murals in the past, but not in Rhinelander. He completed the Hodag today, which leaves only one portion of the mural that needs to be finished. Barnett said he hopes to have the project finished in the next couple weeks, if the weather cooperates.

Local artist and business owner Tom Barnett spends a sunny morning painting a mural on the Hodag Water Shows concession and storage building at Hodag Park.

Local artist Tom Barnett works on completing the waterskiing Hodag.

A boating scene, seen sketched here, is the remaining piece of the mural to be completed.