Stop 25 – Viajes del Horizonte art bus shelter
About
Artist: Maria Amalia Wood in partnership with the City of Middleton Public Arts Committee
Location: Allen Boulevard near Lake Street (West), located in front of 2550 Allen Boulevard
Description:
This community art piece was created during Maria’s art residency at Pinney Library. During the summer of 2021, the doors at Pinney finally opened after being closed due to COVID. As they navigated how to make a piece that required social interaction, in the midst of a pandemic, they created socially distanced spaces where children made paper by hand and expressed their creativity through pulp painting. Interns Noa and Itzayana, collaborated with Maria on this socially engaged art experience informed by life journeys, sunsets, and the migration of monarch butterflies. After she assembled the piece, Maria invited 10 Latina immigrants to help embroider parts of it while sharing their life stories. They stitched their own journeys creating a textured surface where all paths of life were welcomed. Watch a video of the artwork being created here.
“Anyone, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, and legal status can experience the same sunset and dream of a better future.” – Maria Amalia Wood
The original artwork was 5ft x 5ft and made of handmade paper, pigments, and thread.
The Viajes del Horizonte bus shelter is one of ten locations along Metro Transit routes that feature artwork by Dane County artists. The project is intended to highlight, encourage, and promote local artists by giving them exposure in the public realm while also compensating them for their work. These shelters are stops 21 – 30 on the Middleton Outdoor Art Trail and can be seen while driving from each Art Trail location. View all of the stops here.
