Art commissioned for Chester L. Krause Legacy Park in Iola

By Holly Neumann

Jordyn Brennan has been commissioned to paint a mural for the Chester L. Krause Legacy Park, located at Water Street and Chet Krause Drive in Iola.

Brennan is a visual artist and educator originally from Hortonville. She received a bachelor’s degree in studio arts from Upper Iowa University in 2020 and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Minneapolis College of Art & Design in the spring of 2022.

‘Over the last four years, I have collaborated with businesses and cities across the United States to create site-specific murals,” Brennan said. “As a national mural artist, I have designed and executed murals exploring themes that work to promote and enrich communities by giving space to reflect on the past, celebrate the present and find hope in the future.”

Her recent murals are located in Minnesota, Utah, Iowa and Wisconsin. 

“Along with my visual practice, I also teach independent courses and workshops throughout the Midwest to students from wide-ranging backgrounds and age ranges,” Brennan said. “I am currently an adjunct faculty at Upper Iowa University.”

Additionally, she is also the co-founder of the Rural Experience Collective, which exists to share stories and experiences of creatives with past or current rural ties.

Brennan did her first mural in Elkader, Iowa, in 2019. Over the course of the past few years, she completed 12 more.

“By the end of this summer, that number will reach over 15,” she said.

Krause’s legacy

She said it’s an honor to get this opportunity to work with the Chester L. Krause Legacy Park Committee to design a mural that showcases Iola’s rich history.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Brennan said. “I feel extremely honored to be asked to do this mural that recognizes a man as remarkable as Chet Krause. I am very familiar with the area, having lots of family all throughout Waupaca County, and it has been incredible to learn how Chet has left his mark all over Iola and beyond.”

The Chester L. Krause Legacy Park Committee and Brennan are currently working to finalize the design.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Chester L. Krause Legacy Park Committee,” Brennan said. “Together, we have worked tirelessly on a design that will encompass all the key elements of Iola’s history. I also love getting to meet community members and hear stories about their connection to Chet and what Iola means to them. Getting to visit Iola-Scandinavia High School and see all the mural designs that the students had come up with was so inspiring, many of which include elements inspired by their designs in the final mural.”

The mural will be painted off-site on large panels that will be then installed on the wall behind J.R.’s Sport Shop and Shivers.

“My goal is to have the mural finished by the end of summer/early fall,” Brennan said.

Her hope is that the community feels a sense of pride for the place they call home.

“I want this mural to be a place to gather, to learn and reminisce on how far Iola has come, well as share excitement for the future,” Brennan said. “I want people to learn about Chet and his incredibly long list of accomplishments, but more than that, his pride and commitment to his hometown.

“My hope is that the community and visitors will reflect on how humble, kind and generous Chet was and to leave the mural inspired to find ways that we can all emulate Chet’s character in our own lives,” she said.

Brennan can be followed on Facebook at Art by Jordyn Brennan or at www.jordynbrennan.com.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly called it “memorial park.” The actual name is “legacy” park.