Wingra Waters ::: 24 x 39 x 6" Permanent Public Art Commission at the Madison Public Library Monroe Street Branch ::: The history of Monroe Street is based on water. Monroe Street, the first public street in Wisconsin, designated in 1838, was originally a Native American path, leading to modern Freeport, Illinois and beyond. The area that is now Monroe Street was populated by native peoples because of Lake Wingra, which is a spring-fed lake, unlike the lakes of the Yahara chain. They populated this area because of the fresh water available, and created their own creative works, the mounds that symbolized bears, birds, water panthers - powerful water spirits. The drops in the piece Wingra Waters are a reminder of the importance of water and the lake that lies just behind them to this present community as well. We are interrelated physically with water (see artists statement) but the water also unites our community. Each drop is etched with an image that represents some part of the Monroe Street Corridor, past and present, natural and man made, and the colorful nature of the Monroe Street Community. This project made possible by an Art in Public Places grant from the Madison Arts Commission, a donation in memory of Majorie Hurie and the Monroe Street Library League.
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