Sheppard's "Fast Break" art show opens in La Crosse

Decorah artist Tom Sheppard will have a show of new work opening on Saturday at the Pump House Regional Arts Center in La Crosse.
 
The show is entitled "Fast Break."  These paintings represent a new direction for the artist and will incorporate two lifelong interests:  art and basketball.  Sheppard played basketball and coached both boys and girls' high school teams.   Two of his York, Nebraska, teams won state championships.  The paintings in this show represent creations based on diagrams from his playbooks used at the various schools where he coached.  Most recently, Sheppard was the varsity girls' basketball assistant coach, then the varsity coach for Decorah High School.  He retired from coaching after the 2010-11 season, and from teaching art in 2012.    
 
The Pump House is located downtown at 119 King Street.  The reception is from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Saturday, but the show will remain up for two months.  There are three separate galleries in the facility and other artists will also be represented.  The hours for the Pump House are 11:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 12 noon until 4:00 p.m. Saturday.  Parking is available for visitors.