Invisible Work - In Visible Earth

Project with Dane Arts Mural Arts. Collaborative design Jenie Gao x Rhea Ewing.

The Middleton Salt mural tells the story of what makes Middleton beautiful, and what defines us as good neighbors. It recognizes the invisible work that goes into making a neighborhood great: from the people who maintain Middleton's roads, high quality water systems, and award-winning parks to Middleton's commitment to prairie conservation and renewable energy. This invisible work is like deep roots in a deep-rooted community.

Artists Jenie Gao and Rhea Ewing started the community mural process in 2018 with interviews of community members and workers at Middleton Operations Center and experts in local prairie and soil ecology. Students at Clark Street Community School and Middleton Youth Center helped to paint this mural with the Dane Arts Mural Arts team.

Thank you to DAMA, Middleton, the students, Rhea, and all the community members Rhea and I interviewed to get to know Middleton better in the design process. Thank you to our sponsors, American Girl Fund, Middleton Arts Committee, Julann Jatczak/Mike Davis, Meg Pekarske Feb, Ron & Sheila Endres, Lea and Rob Conhaim, Daniel Glinert, and many more donors who contributed.