Announcing Madison’s First Art Trucks
posted
For Immediate Release
May 21, 2025
Yesterday, the City of Madison unveiled two collection vehicles that have been transformed into rolling murals. The inspiration for the art trucks came from a letter sent to the Mayor’s office by a young resident named Fred.
The letter stated in part, “I am writing today to ask you if it is possible for you to change the color of the trash truck that comes by my house. I would prefer a purple trash truck or a rainbow colored trash truck. I love the blue one, but maybe a new color would be exciting, too!.”
Fred had a brilliant idea. So the Streets Division and Madison Arts got to work to add artwork to two collection trucks.
“By placing artwork on Streets Division trucks, we’re creating beauty in unexpected places,” said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway at the unveiling. “And by turning our collection vehicles into mobile galleries we can share the work of talented artists in our community with our community.”
Mayor Rhodes-Conway continued, “when you write us, call us, or email us with a good idea we will do what we can to put that into practice.”
Make Your Own Art Truck
As Fred so inspired us to make two of the Streets Division’s trucks more beautiful with the work of local artists, we wanted to give the opportunity for others who may be inspired by the artwork to make their own art truck, too.
You can download a free coloring page of one of the collection trucks so a child in your life could make their own art truck.
And, if you feel so inclined, please share your artwork with the Streets Division so it can be displayed on its website.
Where can you find the trucks in action?
The work by Catherine Capellaro, Our Neighboring Turkey, was placed on a vehicle assigned to the west side Streets Division. You will find it strutting through neighborhoods west of South Park Street.
The work by Rachel Christopolous, Madison Skyline, was placed on a vehicle assigned to the east Streets Division. You will be able to spot this truck sailing through streets east of South Park, including along the isthmus.
Departments:
