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City of Madison

Share your thoughts on Public Art for the Far West Operations Facility

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The City of Madison and the Madison Arts Commission are seeking community feedback on a design proposal by The Milligan Studio for the Far West Operations Facility at 402 South Point Road.  

The Milligan Studio has served on the team of Sketchworks Architecture, which is developing the building and site design. In August 2025, the Milligans visited Madison and met with community residents and staff of the Streets, Fleet, and Parks Divisions. The feedback they received influenced their design for Plough/Sky, a series of sculptural benches.

  • Rendering of a blue bird-shaped sculpture along a path
    Image credit: The Milligan Studio
    Image credit: The Milligan Studio
  • Rendering of an overhead view of all sculptures along a path outside of the Far West Operations Facility
    Image credit: The Milligan Studio
    Image credit: The Milligan Studio
  • Rendering of people sitting at the base of a blue bird-shaped sculpture
    Image credit: The Milligan Studio
    Image credit: The Milligan Studio

Review the Proposal

About the Proposal

  • Drawing inspiration from Wisconsin's Driftless region, the installation is a series of stylized ancient bird forms on benches replicating water ripples. 
  • The design is influenced by the gesture of birds skimming across water. The ripples they create are similar to how ploughs cut through banks of snow. 
  • The artists propose a blue patinated bronze with inset art glass in water shades and internal lighting. 
  • Other options include different color patinas, aluminum, and external lighting. 
  • 5 sculptures in different sizes are proposed around a walking path for visitors to explore. 
  • The arrangement represents the concept of community and the collective efforts of individuals striving for a better future.

Share Your Thoughts

Complete the survey by 2:00pm on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Your survey responses will be shared with the Madison Arts Commission to inform their decision and recommendation to the Madison Common Council.

Take the Survey

Next Steps

  1. Artists present to Public Art Subcommittee

  2. Design updates (if needed), survey closes

  3. Madison Arts Commission recommendation

  4. Common Council reviews and votes on recommendation

  5. Fabrication and Installation (if approved)

About the Far West Operations Facility

In 2025, the City of Madison Engineering Division began the design process for the new Far West Public Works Operations Building.

Sketchworks Architecture and its design team were selected from 11 other teams for the project. The new building will allow the City to better serve the residents on Madison’s far west side. It will provide a home base for City services from the Parks, Fleet & Street Divisions, and support services closer to the Far West neighborhoods.  

About the Madison Arts Commission

The Madison Arts Commission works to encourage artistic activities and performances throughout the city, supporting both emerging and established artists while enhancing the cultural landscape of Madison through public art initiatives. 

Interested in news and opportunities from the Madison Arts Commission? Sign up for Madison Arts Newsletters. 

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