SafeGrowth Initiative Brings New Public Art to Historic Downtown Corridor
posted
West Gilman Street is being transformed by three distinctive public art projects, breathing new creative energy into the historic corridor as a result of the City of Madison's SafeGrowth training, sponsored by the Isthmus Safety Initiative.
The multidisciplinary SafeGrowth team includes staff from the Madison Police Department, Public Health of Madison and Dane County, Traffic Engineering, the Parking Utility, Planning, Madison's Central Business Improvement District, and other public and private agencies.
Recently, the SafeGrowth team conducted a study on the 400 block of West Gilman Street with the goals of improving safety, encouraging positive community engagement and social interactions, increasing pedestrian activity, supporting the economic success of local businesses, and creating a more vibrant downtown corridor. The team has since been working to implement several recommended interventions to improve safety and community pride in that corridor, including public art.
Over the summer, Madison Arts Commission staff administered projects to showcase regional artists while reimagining West Gilman Street. The recent installations include:
#59 Space Blob by Stephen Perkins at Porta Bella
The brightly colored installation on the rear façade of Porta Bella at 446 West Gilman Street was drawn from artist Stephen Perkins' accordion book, titled #59 Space Blob. The piece was selected from the Madison Arts Commission’s existing art call. Staff felt the long format lent itself to this site. It uses playful patterns and bright colors that complement other works planned for the block.
In the summer of 2024, I was inspired to experiment with using spray paint and stencils with the accordion format – the results were so joyful that I haven’t been able to stop making them since that time!
Stephen Perkins, Artist
Since 2010, Perkins has been running a blog devoted to reviewing artists’ accordion books. Inspired by the stencil works of both Chant Avedissian (1951-2018) and Felipe Ehrenberg (1943-2017), as well as Sonia Delaunay’s 1913 accordion work La Prose du Transsiberian et de la Petite Jehanne de France, he started making his own during the summer of 2024 using spray paint and stencils.
Historic Street Banners by Spatula&Barcode
Social practice artist duo Laurie Beth Clark and Michael Peterson, who go by Spatula&Barcode, have been on the street – literally in parking stalls – engaging residents in conversations and events about Gilman Street and producing six newsletters called the Gilman Street News throughout the summer.
Their work aims to shine a spotlight on the area's significance and transform perceptions of this important Madison corridor. They have conducted interviews about Gilman Street’s history, partnered with REAP food group to distribute free ice cream, and distributed granola bars that say, “What’s Eating Gilman Street?”
They also worked with Mark Fitzgerald, a graphic designer for the City of Madison’s Department of Planning, Community and Economic Development, to create historic banners that celebrate West Gilman Street's rich heritage.
Our primary goal has been to create a sense of community and sociality on the street. We’ve been doing that through conversations over the last six weeks. On the night of the Madison Night Market, we are doing that by setting up tables and chairs in order for people to be able to have their meals in a social space.
Laurie Beth Clark, Artist and Community Organizer
Dragons Fly by Michael Young
The SafeGrowth team identified light art as an opportunity to enhance street and pedestrian lighting and create an open and welcoming atmosphere at night. Michael Young was selected through a review of previous calls for art. He applied to the 2024 Monona Terrace Art on the Rooftop exhibition and he recently exhibited this work at the 2024 GLEAM exhibition at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
Young is a Chicago-based artist specializing in site-specific public sculpture and light-based work. For more than thirty years, Young’s artwork and design have appeared in public and private collections across the United States and abroad. Highlights include permanent work for the National Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, McDonald's, Hyatt Hotels, RDD Tokyo, Ballou Senior High School, River Terrace Special Education Center in Washington, D.C., and Carthage College in Wisconsin.
From concept to installation, Young’s aesthetic reflects the values and interests of each sculpture’s site and surrounding community. Young studied botany and ecology at UW-Madison, and is skilled in aluminum, bronze, stainless steel, wood, glass, and light. Young’s work is self-fabricated with site and setting in mind.
The Madison Arts Commission recognizes the power of public art to transform spaces and build community connections. These projects represent a collaborative effort to revitalize West Gilman Street through art, community engagement, and creative placemaking. The West Gilman Street art projects also demonstrate Madison's commitment to supporting local artists while enhancing neighborhood character and community pride through creative intervention.
As a downtown Madison business owner, I'm truly excited for the impact the new public art project will have on downtown Madison. The new dragonflies will light up the Gilman Street area, transforming the space and providing a unique cultural experience for everyone that passes by them. I'm also intrigued by the work of Spatula & Barcode who use food to create connection between community members and downtown businesses.
Peggy Gunderson, Madison's Central Business Improvement District Member
Community Celebration
The public is invited to celebrate these artists and their contributions to Madison's cultural landscape at the final Wednesday Madison Night Market on State Street, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists, learn about their work, and enjoy West Gilman Street.
Departments:
Categories:
