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City of Madison

City of Madison Commissions Artist Nate Page to Create Public Art for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park

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One side of the sculpture is unpolished steel, while the other side is reflective steel.
Image credit: Design Proposal of "The Passage of Being" by Nate Page
The sculpture will have two distinct sides: one side with unpolished steel with painted thermal wood, and one side with polished stainless steel reflecting the surrounding park area.

The Madison Arts Commission, Madison Public Library, and Madison Parks are pleased to announce the City of Madison has commissioned Nate Page, a Wisconsin-born-and-raised artist, to create an outdoor sculpture for the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park. 

Page's The Passage of Being was selected as the public art piece to be placed at the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park after a multi-step process that included soliciting bids for artist designs, narrowing down finalists, getting thousands of resident responses through an online survey, and visiting nearby Sandburg Elementary School for direct feedback from youth.

We are thrilled to have the Nate Page sculpture The Passage of Being as the signature piece at the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park! This piece will beautifully reflect the park surroundings while also acting as a portal for visitors to move through. The Passage of Being offers multiple entry points, is open to many different interpretations, and we see it as the perfect fit for the new Imagination Center at Reindahl Park.

—

Trent Miller, Bubbler Program Coordinator

About the Art

The Passage of Being has a two-sided presence. When seen from the Imagination Center, the front represents the strength of community opening a pathway toward nature. The community is represented by the layered planes of color, which are drawn from the national flags of prominent immigrant communities in Northeast Madison. On the reflective side, the sculpture opens outward, reflecting the surrounding park and its activity onto the library's architecture. The sculpture will measure approximately 16 feet high, 10 feet wide, and 30 inches deep. It will stand tall in the parkland immediately behind the Imagination Center.

The project is part of the City of Madison's Percent for Art program.

Full Design Proposal

Percent for Art Process 

I was excited to create a work for the Imagination Center because of its unique combination of park and library. Growing up near Madison, recreation and places of learning always felt separate to me, so this project offered a rare opportunity to create something shaped by the energy, interaction, and sense of community that emerges when those worlds are brought together.

—

Nate Page, Artist

Through the engagement efforts that have already occurred, I can see how this public art piece is helping build a deeper sense of community in District 12 and in Common Council President Sabrina Madison's District 17 as well. I am grateful for the work to directly include kids from Sandburg Elementary in the feedback process and excited for the potential lifelong memories made during that process. This new project will help connect the library to the park and greater neighborhood, creating a destination. I am thrilled to support an initiative that celebrates our unique local identity and makes the arts accessible to every resident.

—

Julia Matthews, District 12 Alder

Nate Page's The Passage of Being is a stunning work that encapsulates the vibrancy and aspirations of this community. The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park is a great partnership among multiple City agencies to bring the resources housed inside, the open green space outside, and the art together. We are very excited for park and library users to have the opportunity to engage with this work at Reindahl Park.

—

Eric Knepp, Parks Superintendent

Project History

  • A call for proposals went out in July 2025 for an artist to design a creative, engaging public art piece that would reflect and represent the vibrant community surrounding the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park.  
  • On September 17, 2025, the Madison Arts Commission, with significant input from Madison Parks and Madison Public Library, selected four finalists.  
  • In October 2025, the finalists attended a site visit, staff meeting, and public meeting where they learned about the site and surrounding community. 
  • The finalists developed proposals and submitted them in early February 2026. By February 12, 2026, 1,200+ residents shared their thoughts about the finalists' proposals via a public survey.  
  • Common Council President Sabrina Madison (District 17) connected Madison Public Library's Bubbler Program with Sandburg Elementary students. Carlee Latimer and Rob Franklin spent an entire day in the art classroom engaging MMSD students in the public art process. Library staff gathered student thoughts and concerns and shared that information with the Madison Arts Commission as part of the public vetting process.  
  • After careful consideration, the Madison Arts Commission selected The Passage of Being by Nate Page.  
  • Staff from Parks, Library, and Planning worked with the artist to modify his design to reflect the constructive feedback received through the public vetting process. The final design was approved by the Madison Common Council on March 24, 2026. 

About the Artist

For more than 15 years, Nate Page has created site-specific public artworks that respond to landscape, architecture, and community. His practice is rooted in the belief that art is inseparable from context, and he treats architecture, natural settings, and community engagement as materials to sculpt—shaping works that frame social connection while ensuring permanence in outdoor conditions. Recent commissions include works for the City of San Diego, Miami-Dade County, and Getty Pacific Standard Time. Nate received his BFA from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and his MFA from CalArts. He was raised in Waukesha and attended Waukesha North High School.

About the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park

Rendering of the exterior of the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park

The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park, currently under construction at 1818 Portage Road, represents a groundbreaking partnership between the Madison Public Library and Madison Parks. This 17,500 square-foot building will serve as both a library and community gathering space, featuring indoor and outdoor programming, free Wi-Fi, public computers, and resources for health, wellness, work, and education.  

The selected artwork will become part of Madison's first park-based library, serving residents in the northeast area of the city. The Imagination Center aims to be a hub for social interaction, civic engagement, and cultural expression, making this public art commission particularly significant for community identity and pride. You can learn more about the new library on its website.

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? 

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