Tales from Titantown: Printing pride, UWO art alum gives Kolf a glow-up with 6,400-square-foot wrap

Josh Marquardt '04, co-owner of Art City Wraps in Oshkosh, was creator with his team of a 6,400-square-foot Kolf Sports Center wrap that took 40 hours to print.

When the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh unveiled the massive 6,400-square-foot graphic wrapping the berms of Kolf Sports Center, it wasn't just a bold celebration of Titan athletics-it was also the homecoming of an alumnus whose artistic journey began in the university's studios.

Joshua Marquardt '04, co-owner of Art City Wraps with his wife Carla, first explored his passion for printmaking on campus, where mentors like retired art professor Gail Panske instilled in him both discipline and accuracy while urging him to push forward and graduate. He also found creative mentorship in his peers, learning the value of dialogue, critique and encouragement that shaped how he approaches both art and business.

Two decades later, Marquardt has built a career that bridges fine art and large-scale commercial installation, with projects spanning Lambeau Field, Fiserv Forum, multiple Super Bowls and international competitions. Yet the Kolf wrap, which required more than 40 hours of printing and the challenge of installing on a pitched concrete berm, stands out as his first large mural on campus, and a particularly meaningful one for a UWO alum who chose to stay in Oshkosh.

The project was made possible through a partnership with Discover Oshkosh, which worked with UW-Oshkosh to bring the wrap to life.

"By collaborating with UW-Oshkosh, we were able to create something that not only celebrates Titan athletics but also gives Oshkosh a bold new landmark," said Amy Albright, executive director of Discover Oshkosh. "This installation gives Oshkosh a powerful new landmark. It shows off the energy and excellence of Titan athletics in a way that's impossible to miss, and it reflects the pride we all share in our community."

As a self-described "townie," Marquardt has invested what he's earned nationally back into his community, and now, into the very campus where his creative voice was first nurtured.

In this Q & A, Marquardt reflects on the lessons he carried from UWO, the challenges of working at Titan scale and what it means to bring his craft back home.

You started out studying liberal arts and even radio broadcasting before transferring to UW-Oshkosh. What led you to choose UWO and pursue a BFA in printmaking?

I came to Oshkosh to visit my brother, who was attending for his second degree in teaching. I had already pursued a radio and related career and was hoping to continue my studies to become an art teacher. In the process of gathering all of the classes needed to graduate I took numerous studio classes and really switched my major because of the knowledge and nurturing I received under Gail Panske, print professor now retired.

What drew you to printmaking in particular, and how did working with your hands in the UWO art studios shape your creative process?

Printing and plate making are classic techniques that changed the Western world through the ability to pass knowledge on to others; I admired that ability to share with others and have always felt printing was one way for me to communicate at the lowest cost per impression. Working creatively with my hands during college taught me project planning and problem solving. It was an interesting time to explore ideas and taught me through practice how to build them.

From UWO I also carried forward a strong discipline of maintaining equipment and striving for accuracy. The process trained my eye to watch for tones, values and color consistency-lessons I still use every day when calibrating machines for clients with demanding color needs.

Were there professors, mentors, or experiences at UW-Oshkosh that still influence how you approach your art and business today?

In general, my experience at UW-Oshkosh was great, and I found most people invested in helping me achieve my goals. Erin Anderson, my adviser, was helpful in guiding me from the teaching program to the studio program, always with a friendly encouragement that I try to emulate with clients. During my studio years, professors pushed me to keep driving forward and to contribute to community dialogue through art.

Gail Panske, my printmaking professor, not only taught me technical discipline but also gave me direct, straightforward mentorship. She kept me accountable. She'll say, "Are you doing the work?" and she was the one who urged me to graduate when I was tempted to keep exploring other studios.

Art history professor Elizabeth Weaver also made an impact. Her classes on Michelangelo and Da Vinci were rigorous and discussion-driven, but she welcomed my creative interpretations, even when I compared Da Vinci to a contemporary graffiti artist like Banksy. That freedom taught me how to research deeply, present boldly and not fear critique.

Equally important were my classmates. The critiques, encouragement and dialogue we shared became a form of creative mentorship in itself, teaching me how to express ideas, listen to feedback and push projects further.

You launched Art City Wraps in 2003. How did your time at UWO give you the skills and confidence to start your own company right out of school?

Prior to this, I had used my studies in radio to get involved with a band and DJ-ing. I treated that like a small business, paying taxes and learning the ropes while attending UWO. DJ at night, student during the day. That hustle naturally slid over into sign making, which is really a modern-day printing process. The encouraging environment I had at UWO gave me practice, allowed me to create habits and the confidence to try without fear of failure.

How do you balance fine art training with the demands of large-scale commercial projects?

I don't. I have had to consider all of my contemporary commercial projects as fine art. My mental state is fine art even if the outcome seems commercial. My work specifically is to create custom, one-of-a-kind print sculptures. I suppose I am careless in that the imagery and words are sometimes overlooked because I am in awe of the color, shape and scale.

You've competed on international stages - from Amsterdam to Hamburg to California - and placed highly in world wrap competitions. What did those experiences teach you?

Travel is amazing, and competing internationally was a privilege. I learned that it is okay to be alone while you pursue an opportunity. These competitions were my attempt to create opportunities and open doors that I had no clue what was on the other side.

You've worked at iconic venues like Lambeau Field, Fiserv Forum and multiple Super Bowls. Which of those moments stands out as especially meaningful to you?

I'm not a huge sports fan, so what stands out isn't the games themselves but the trust I've been given to make things visually impactful in incredible spaces. That trust to be left alone to use my skills in places like Lambeau Field or the Super Bowl has been the most meaningful experience.

The new Kolf Sports Center installation is a huge celebration of Titan athletics. How did it feel to come back to campus as an alumnus and lead such a visible project?

It is a thrill to come to campus with a crew and be able to showcase local athletes the way we showcase pros on the big stage. This was also my first large mural on campus, despite years of doing projects across the country, which made it deeply meaningful to return and contribute here.

What was the most challenging part about this project?

The pitch of the berm made this installation physically demanding, a workout for backs and ankles compared to the vertical and horizontal surfaces we usually handle. We also had to manage the concrete substrate carefully. We logged over 40 hours of printing before we even started installing. The graphics are printed on adhesive vinyl, cured for 48 hours, then sealed with an ultra-matte laminate film, essentially sandwiching the ink to survive the elements. Done properly, the wrap should last close to a decade in Oshkosh's climate.

What story or feeling do you hope current and future Titans experience when they see your work wrapped around Kolf?

I hope people see potential and opportunity. I came here seeing the potential to grow, and through that growth I created opportunity. I also hope the size and scale of the images and whole piece, question thoughts on perspective, focus and fortitude of work ethic. A Titan-sized project.

What role do you think public art, especially projects tied to UWO, plays in connecting campus with the wider community?

Public art is the opportunity to share and discuss culture. The Kolf project expresses the athletic culture and is the University's most public interaction with local society. This type of project is a bridge creating accessible sports heroes to a local community. And this idea creates dreams.

Learn more:

Study art at UWO

New public art installation to celebrate UW-Oshkosh athletics at Kolf Sports Center

Athletics at UWO