Public Art Installed at Men’s Shelter Through Percent for Art Program

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"Unity, Spirit, Community" mosaic installed on the exterior of the men's shelter
Image credit: "Unity, Spirit, Community" by Laurel True

The Madison Arts Commission is celebrating new public art on the City's east side at the men's shelter on Bartillon Drive. 

Unity, Spirit, Community is a collection of colorful mosaic panels made out of tile and mirror created by artist Laurel True. The mosaics were recently installed to the exterior of the shelter. 

It was such a pleasure to work on this project. I was especially honored to connect with Porchlight and local community members, who offered insight and inspiration for the artwork's design. I had the opportunity to spend time at the existing emergency men's shelter and speak directly with shelter guests and staff about the messages they hoped the artwork would communicate. Common themes that emerged from these conversations included unity, connection, friendship, spirituality, hope, and freedom. The colors in the mosaic murals were inspired by local songbirds. 

My aim when creating site-specific work is to inspire those who view it and to foster a sense of connection and belonging. I hope the artwork communicates this, and that guests, staff, and visitors to the Bartillon Shelter feel welcomed when they look at it. 

Thank you so much to the City of Madison, Porchlight, everyone who contributed ideas and inspiration for the artwork, and the installation team from Lippert Tile. 

—

Laurel True, artist

I hope this public art project reminds our neighbors who use the shelter that they are worthy of a beautiful, thoughtful environment. The uplifting nature of Laurel True's colorful artwork will undoubtedly inspire optimism and lower anxiety of the shelter guests.

—

Nicholas Pjevach, Madison Arts Commission Chair 

The artwork is made of ceramic tile and mirrors placed on five tall vertical panels. The design features bold, abstract, and organic styles, heavily reliant on geometric shapes, primarily intersecting concentric circles. Each panel highlights large, colorful rings overlapping one another, giving a sense of interconnectedness. Darker vibrant shades of blue frame the colorful circles, creating contrast that ensures visibility from a distance. The design utilizes palettes of Robin orange, Cardinal red, Goldfinch yellow, Finch purple, and sky blues colors that were inspired from birds found in Wisconsin, to evoke warmth, joy, and hope. 

A lot of thought was put into making the interior of the shelter welcoming and safe but you can't see that from the outside. The exterior mosaics transform the building into a recognizably beautiful space, grounding the building in the neighborhood. As our community continues to have important conversations about housing access, equity, and the root causes of displacement, Unity, Spirit, Community can act as a much-needed reminder of the values we aspire to build upon.

—

Ald. Julia Matthews, District 12

Unity, Spirit, Community was funded through the City's Percent for Art Program, which increases investment in public art by setting aside 1% of City funds committed to projects budgeted for more than $5 million to use for public art. 

About the Men's Shelter

Dane County's first-ever purpose-built men's shelter located at 1904 Bartillon Drive welcomed its first guests on September 1, 2026. The shelter was designed with input from the community, from homeless service providers and shelter staff, and from people with lived experience about features they believed most important to a successful shelter. Many of their suggestions are reflected in the new shelter — both in the building's design and its ability to help connect guests to housing-focused services.  

Private fundraising to support 24/7 operations in the future is being led by the Shelter Friends of Dane County. 

Learn More About Fundraising

Learn More About the Men's Shelter

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.    

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