Portage

A lakeside scene with two benches facing the water, a modern metal sculpture in the foreground, a docked boat, and trees on the left and right.

A group of people gather outdoors by a lake for a public event, with a speaker at a podium, cameras filming, and others seated or standing nearby.

About

Medium: Glass and steel

Address: 6000 Lake Street (Lake Street Park)

Artist description: The Milligan Studio is the Public Art practice of Irish Sculptor Alan Milligan and Novelist N.M. Kelby (Dr. Nicole Mary Milligan, PhD).

The studio was commissioned to create a one-of-a-kind, custom art piece that celebrates the heart and soul of the Middleton community and tells the city’s story in steel, color and creativity. This stunning sculpture is a permanent installation unveiled during the grand opening of Lake Street Community Park.

Portage is the first public sculpture funded through the City of Middleton’s Half Percent for Arts program. Take a look at photos of the art-making process to see how it all came together.

*Portage will be added to the Middleton Outdoor Art Trail maps in 2026