This stunning addition to our neighborhood is not only beautiful but also a fitting reflection of the history of Tenney/Lapham. The hands holding the fruit in the lower left represent the John Hill grocery store. Our neighborhood was the first African American settlement in Madison and John Hill owned and operated his small grocery store near the corner of Blount and East Dayton. The artist, Audifax, lives in our neighborhood and has done extensive research before finalizing the mural. To learn more about Audifax and the historical and environmental depictions in the mural please visit https//audifaxart.com/news/8/19/Tenney-Lapham-mural-design.

  At a Tenney/Lapham council meeting, the idea of a mural came into discussion. After several meetings about location and available local muralists, the Madison Water Utility (MWU) facility at Reynold’s Park became the focus for this project. Marcus Pearson, the Water Utility’s public information officer, was enthusiastic about the project and was a great help in guiding us through the process to gain permission from MWU to use their well #24 site located in Reynold’s. MWU collaborated with us in ushering the project through city hall.

  The mural will be mounted on the wooden fence that faces the park. It will be 41’ wide and 9’ tall. The mural will be painted on treated aluminum panels that Audifax will paint in a studio. Anti-graffiti guard will be applied to the mural.

  The Madison Arts Commission (MAC) was key for linking us to Madison artists. MAC was supportive of the importance of the public having a voice in public art in their neighborhood and key to helping us navigate the city process for approval of this project. MAC selected Audifax for the commission after reviewing public feedback from a neighborhood meeting where three candidates presented their proposed murals. Mark Fraire, the director of the Dane County’s Art Commission, was also helpful with assisting us in setting up a budget for this project.

  There is no public funding being used for this project. We were fortunate to have an opening $10,000 matching grant from an anonymous neighbor. We have received generous donations from individuals and businesses in our neighborhood. THANK YOU! If you would like to be a part of this beautiful addition to our neighborhood, please consider donating. All donations are tax deductible. Checks may be mailed to: Tenney/Lapham Neighborhood Association, 1010 E Washington Ave., #907, Madison, WI 53703.

  It is our hope that this beautiful piece of public art will not only be inspirational to people passing by but will also bring people to Reynold’s Park to sit and take a breather and reflect on the beauty all around us and the history of this interesting neighborhood.

  Please join us for a ribbon cutting ceremony, after the mural’s installation. Further information about the ribbon cutting ceremony will be posted on the TLNA list serve. Not on the list serve, no problem, go to tenneylapham.org to sign up.