WABASHA, MN — River Junction Arts Council is proud to recognize the outstanding contribution of local artist Sue Mundy, whose latest mural now brightens the space “Under the Bridge” in downtown Wabasha. This vibrant and thoughtful piece is a celebration of community, creativity, and connection to the natural beauty of our region.
Sue Mundy, a long-time Wabasha resident, brings over 30 years of artistic experience to her work. Her mural is not only a visual landmark—it is a heartfelt expression of place, history, and nature, meant to be enjoyed by all who visit or call Wabasha home.
With deep roots in both the fine and commercial arts, Sue’s dedication to creative expression and community engagement shines through in this latest project. Her mural adds a dynamic layer to Wabasha’s public art landscape and reflects the town’s commitment to supporting the arts.
We invite you to learn more about Sue Mundy—her journey, her passion, and the inspiration behind this mural—through the artist’s own words below.
Sue Mundy
Painter
I grew up as one of six children on the edge of the small prairie town of St. Charles, Minnesota. With constant whining and money from my paper route, I was able to get and keep a pony. She grazed in the grassy allies and open areas of our neighborhood. I rode Cinnamon on my paper route and folks referred to us as the pony express. A little later the cornet fell into my hands. While practicing, I was urged many times to “Take that thing outside!” After a couple of years, the neighbor’s complaints turned into song requests. My mother was a natural musical talent on piano and voice, so all of the children were encouraged to sing often with her accompanying.
My art inspiration started with my Aunt Donna who worked creating signs and designing windows for the Kahler Hotel in Rochester, MN. I attended Winona State University focusing on Music and Fine and Commercial art, studying with painter Don Schmidlapp. To get myself through college, I sang and played trumpet with a five piece band performing all styles of music in area night clubs. All of my emotions finally had an outlet through color, shape, drama, dimension, music in sound and song.
While playing trumpet with the Winona Symphony, I met and later married my husband John, who happened to be the band director at Wabasha-Kellogg Schools. I moved to Wabasha in 1993 and purchased a sweet building in the Historic District determined to realize a dream of having an art business called Pembroke Gallery.
In the course of this artistic journey, many commercial and graphic arts “diversions” paid the bills while pursuing my vision. These included a career at the Mayo Clinic as a Scientific Illustrator, a Flame glass worker, a bank teller and real estate assistant. As the proprietor of the Pembroke Gallery in Wabasha, I saw myself teaching kids art lessons, painting signs, murals, and benches, doing historic restoration and painting tin ceilings as well as other work for private and civic venues.
While all of this was gratifying and anchored me in community, my need for an emotional outlet is what Fine Art provides and demands. It is through my recent mural work that I am able to bring that need for fine art together with a connection to community, love of history, and an understanding of nature.
I’m still inspired by and drawn to the light and atmosphere in the landscapes of nature and our connection to it. I love diving into the details of plants and animals, recognizing repetitive patterns in all living things. They are like old friends and relatives.
I’ve been painting and creating now for thirty some years. Yet, I still feel like I’m just beginning. I hope I feel this way all of my life.
