Celebrating Kevin Baird’s Artistic Contributions at the Great River Road Interpretive Center
The Great River Road Interpretive Center at Genoa National Fish Hatchery has always been a place where visitors can experience the wonders of nature firsthand—bird mounts, live fish, and informative displays greet guests as they explore. Recently, however, the Center added something truly special for the community: two stunning paintings by my friend & local artist Kevin Baird.
It all began with a blank wall near the stairs. I wanted to enhance the space, but it was too narrow for mounted animals or artifacts, so I turned to Kevin Baird for a unique solution. Kevin is an artist from Holmen who has painted murals at local schools and churches. Kevin enthusiastically joined the project, collaborating with staff to create an educational mural illustrating the Life Cycle of Freshwater Mussels. This vibrant scene not only brightens the Center but helps explain the relationship between fish and mussels and how their life cycles unfold. Kevin also painted a word bank to help visitors understand key terms. The mural has quickly become a conversation starter, sparking curiosity and deepening appreciation for the Center’s conservation efforts.
Kevin’s contributions didn’t stop there. Downstairs in the aquarium room, he painted a magnificent 7-foot Lake Sturgeon. This artwork gives guests a chance to “measure up” against the sturgeon, comparing their height to the massive fish. It’s a fun and interactive way to highlight the 40,000 to 60,000 Lake Sturgeon raised at Genoa NFH each year, while sharing interesting facts about their role in local aquatic ecosystems.
The Genoa National Fish Hatchery team expresses its heartfelt appreciation to Kevin Baird for his outstanding and remarkable work. His art has transformed the Center into a more engaging and educational space, helping to inspire and teach visitors about the important work being done. We invite everyone to visit and experience these beautiful paintings for themselves at the Great River Road Interpretive Center! By: Erica Rasmussen

Kevin standing next to his artwork – The Life Cycle of a Freshwater Mussel and 7-foot Lake Sturgeon. Photo: USFWS