Owners: please vote to help decide which of the three mural designs below will be painted on the west wall (facing the fire station, currently displaying the "Utopia" mural) at Willy East. Artists were asked to use our Vision Statement as the theme of their mural design: "Willy Street Co-op is a local community partner that nourishes a sustainable, accessible, and equitable food system where everyone can participate."
We are not sharing the artist names to keep the focus on the designs, but all three are artists living in Dane County. One vote per Owner account. Voting is open through July 31, 2024. The winning design will be announced by Monday, August 5th. The link to the ballot is at the bottom of the page.
Design #1
Note: the windows on the wall are indicated on this design.
Artist's statement
I'm an artist-illustrator-designer from the Madison area bringing vibrant stories to life with playful, stylized characters built from foundational lines and shapes. The environments create are both whimsical and surreal, and the narratives I construct explore both the ordinary and extraordinary.
Design #2
Artist's statement
Art can be so many things to so many people. It can inspire, reach, and communicate great ideas. It can be bold enough to change the world. It can also be something simple, making someone smile or brighten their day. There is a magic to that which, as Keith Haring maintained “must triumph”. I embrace this magic to inspire everyone to go out and create. My whimsical approach is stylized, bold, big and colorful, just like the community that surrounds the work. If anyone walks away from one of my pieces and decides to pick up a sketchbook and draw, or a pen to write down their thoughts, or to smile at a stranger and be kind, then it has done its job.
Design #3
Artist's statement
In 2017, I left the traditional path of university and a stable career to embrace a life dedicated to art and travel. This journey has taken me to eight countries across three continents, where I have created large-scale murals and led visual design projects. Through these experiences, I have discovered the profound impact art can have on our connection to the world and its power to serve a greater purpose.
Art, to me, is about transforming spaces and infusing them with a touch of magic that can uplift the human spirit. This belief fuels my passion for creating "art spaces" through intentional, environmental design, be it in private homes or public venues. My work is an exploration of the harmonious relationship between humanity and nature, inspired by my global adventures.
Overcoming personal challenges, including a severe traumatic brain injury, has deepened my understanding of the healing power of art. It has empowered me to use my creativity as a tool for positive change, fostering connections and teaching through visual storytelling.
My practice is dynamic and interactive, often incorporating reflective components like glass mirrors and metallic paints to create living artworks that change with light, seasons, and perspective. Each piece I create is a testament to the transformative power of art, aiming to inspire curiosity, provoke emotions, and encourage contemplation.
Through my murals, I strive to enhance environments, making them more engaging and enjoyable. My commitment is to continue traveling, creating large-scale artworks, and fostering creative energy wherever I go, using art to dissolve the boundaries between life and artistic expression.