Storefront Reclaimed: Healing Forest

58 feet x 8 feet of paper panels being cut and painted for front windows

It all started when…

Urban Land decided it did not want the closure of the GAP to grace State St. with another blighted storefront. Thus began a collaborative process between artist, developer and city arts programing. I am so happy to bring this project to the Madison landscape…

Then begins the fastest turnaround I’ve ever done on a project of this scale, two weeks from initial proposal to completion. The idea for the “Healing Forest” came to me swiftly and I felt that a bold mystical tree landscape would be a welcome sight in this location, so I ran with it…

Gallons of paint, color theory, foil, folded paper, sculptural elements, spontaneity, quick wit production skill, gold leaf panels, bold imagery and lighting defines this piece.

Thanks goes out to BLINK grant from City of Madison and the diligent communication between Urban Land (special thanks to Nina Wagner, Maura Overland and Karin Wolf)

Many awesome assistants helped me keep this wild timeline, Thanks ALL: Claire Kellesvig www.clairekellesvig.com , Jennifer Wagner, Carlos Pablov, Martha McCamy www.centerlineprocess.com , Cynthia Maurice, Michele and James Bednarski.

Project is currently installed and will remain in place until occupancy of retail space resumes. Possible future events will be announced via social media. May the Forest bring some color and joy!

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Empty store used as temporary studio to complete the large murals

Install on right window bay in process…panels hang at different depths…best seen in person AT NIGHT!