Joe Tarr
The city of Madison has quietly unveiled its latest piece of public art.
Called "Four Lakes," the $230,000 sculpture sits on the pedestrian section of Frances Street on the south side of State Street (next to State Street Brats). The final piece of the State Street redevelopment project, it was paid for with a combination of tax incremental financing and a federal grant.
The sculpture was created by Andrea Myklebust and Stanton Gray Sears of Stockholm, Wis. It consists of four large pieces of granite, representing the area's major lakes (Mendota, Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa), with a fountain down the middle. At one end is a badger with her offspring, carved out of bronze.
"It was such a challenging piece," says Karin Wolf, Madison's arts program administrator. "They had to leave an 11-foot clearance for emergency vehicles. They couldn't move any of the light poles."
Ald. Verveer, who pushed for inclusion of public art on State Street, is pleased with the sculpture. "I've seen a number of people enjoying it, particularly kids," he says. "That was the intention behind it."