Stolen by Shiloah Symone Coley
created on the Overture Center for the Arts building
“I’ve always been fascinated with people’s stories. Historically, heroic efforts have been made to create positive representations of Black bodies to counteract the surplus of harmful images that once circulated. But there is still more to the nuanced Black experience and a more complex story yet to be told and shared that dives beyond straightforward representation, and into the Black psyche. Delving into the Black psyche has long been ignored in art for fear of representing Black people poorly.”
The Black Phoenix by Cassy Marzette
created on the University Book Store
“They took our Black bodies from us. Chained us. Tried to break us. Punished. Manipulated. Starved us. Tried to bury us & make ashes of our culture. Make ashes of our language. Make ashes of our voices. Make ashes of our story.”
Black Sisterhood, Period. by Amira Caire & Danielle Mielke
created on the Overture Center for the Arts
“Black women have always been a support system for us in our upbringing. Not only are they resilient and unapologetic, but they are the foundation of the black community. Black women have nursed us, provided for us, and raised us to survive in a country that seeks to tear us apart.
This piece symbolizes the beauty and collectivism of Blackness in all shades. Paying tribute to black mothers, sisters, and friends; we wanted to recognize their beauty and strength as they seek to uplift everyone around them. Let this image serve as a thank you to them—for teaching us to never cower in the face of discrimination.”
Untitled by Erika (@erikarsls)
She painted a mural in 2019 with a similar heart and said this: I’m not sure what’s more magical, painting the human heart which connects us to our Soul, painting what heals us and connects us, or knowing that painting itself also connects us and heals us.
Untitled by Sapphina and Zaria Roller
created on Madison Modern Market building.
27 Years by Cassie Pierce
created on Short Stack Eatery building.
“She was executed by police. Her crime: sleeping while Black. Sentenced with the death penalty in her own home. She was not given a last meal, and she was not afforded the luxury of saying goodbye to loved ones. Instead, she was shot 8 times and died in her bedroom on March 13th, 2020. Breonna’s should have been 27 this June. … And so, to honor her memory and to push for a necessary change, I created two pieces. One that reflects Breonna’s story and the another that encourages us to be strong together. ”
Lady Justice by Ryan Hartman & Jay Ramirez
created on Cold Stone Creamery building.
Tony Robinson by Amira Caire, Danielle Mielke & Alana Caire
created on the University Book Store.
“I am Black, I am young, and not only is it my job to step up to help my people, but what better way to help bring awareness to the ongoing struggles of the Black community if not through our youth? Our youth are the next generation. If we show the world that WE see what’s going on, maybe they’ll finally listen,” Alana Caire told UMOJA Magazine.
Untitled by Audifax & Edgewood High School Social Justice Club
created on SEE Eyewear.
The Lion of Juddah is Rising by Philip Salamone & DarRen Morris
created on Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.
“I chose to use this as an opportunity to share the work of a friend of mine, DarRen Morris, who is an artist and inmate up in Green Bay who was sentenced to life in prison at age 17. I also aimed to address some of the shameful, racist policies and implementation of them that exist in Wisconsin’s criminal justice system. This painting is a recreation of an original painting by DarRen, titled, “The Lion of Judah is Rising.” In his words, “This piece is about surrender and acceptance. It was painted around the time my granny died. It was calling people to look into my eyes. Processing my grief, I had said my Rasta prayers and I let Jah spirit rise and take me from my darkness.”
Untitled by Alica Traore & Maia Pearson
created on Art Gecko building.
“On behalf of Urban Triage.”
Untitled by Kenechi Unachukwa
created on the Overture Center for the Arts.
“The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis was the catalyst for worldwide protests, and the neighboring state of Wisconsin was no exemption. People of all ages and ethnicities led by young Black men and women congregated at the capitol to voice their frustrations about a system that has led to the wrongful death of many black citizens at the hands of the police. Calling for an abolition of the police, the group numbering into the thousands proceeded to take to the streets behind banners stating “Black Lives Matter” and “Community Control Over Police”. Even in the midst of a global pandemic, nothing could stop these people from joining the fight for equality. Names of black people slain by the police echoed in the air. George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Trayvon Martin. Tony Robinson. For every name chanted, there are thousands more that we do not know. Photos were taken with a Fujifilm X-T2 and a Nikon F3 using Kodak Tri-X film.”
Untitled by Emida Roller
created on an empty storefront at 411 State St.
Untitled by Jan Lin
created on Short Stack Eatery.
Untitled by Cassie Pierce and Cassie Pierce
created on Nick’s Restaurant.
Re[PRESENT]ation by Brooklyn Denae Doby, Ciara Nash and Synovia Knox
created on Campus Ink.
“I wanted to be part of the Black Lives Matter movement but wasn’t able to be on the front lines. In trying times like this it is difficult for me to put words to my emotions. As an art therapy graduate, I thought that protesting through paint was where I saw myself fitting in. My collaborators and I wanted to create a piece showing what we were feeling in our hearts and inspiring. We combined all of our artistic styles together to show three silhouettes, each figure depicts a different forms of protest. One is photo-documenting, another wears a Black Lives Matter t-shirt with the words, “Say Their Names”, and one holds up a fist to represent physically protesting. -Brooklyn Doby”
Untitled by Lilada Gee, Maia Pearson, & Cassy Marzette
created on Ragstock building.
Untitled by Lilada Gee & Cassy Marzette
created on Goodman’s Jewelers building.
Untitled by Maia Pearson & Urban Triage
created on portions of University Book Store building.
BLM Youth Hearts by 135 Black and Brown Youth directed by SJ Hemmerich
created on Graft restaurant building.
“I am an art teacher at Randall Elementary School in MMSD. I wanted to uplift and celebrate our Black and Brown youth voices at this important time and allow our other students and families to be supportive allies. … The larger mural at Graft Restaurant was designed by one of my 3rd grade students, Ali B. Our final murals combined were painted by at least 135 Black and Brown youth artists from 21 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and 5 high schools in MMSD as well as at least 10 surrounding schools/districts, several other states, and Senegal.”
Untitled by Tony Catteruccia & Lincoln Rust
created on 30 On the Square.
Still I Rise by Ava Stevenson
created on Ian’s Pizza building.
“Black women are limitless!!”
Untitled by The Artist (aka Eric Cross)
Untitled by Rodrigo Carapia
created on Overture Center for the Arts.
Black Man’s Plight by FaLeShuh Walker & RR Moore
created on Overture Center for the Arts.
“We are poets as well as a visual artist. We were already trying to find a way to powerfully express a day in the life of a Black man. RR wrote and read the poem while Faleshuh created the visuals. We wanted people to feel where we were coming from. This piece is different from the other pieces. Sometimes we need to stop, and read, and feel what we read. We watched people stop by and grab their chest as they took it in. That is the reaction we were looking for. We wanted people to stand there, in an intimate space with the work, and feel what comes to them.”
Untitled by Ryan Hartman & Jay Ramirez
was created on Cold Stone Creamery building.
Untitled by Salt Rock
created on Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.
Titled 8:46 (526) Missed Opportunities by Michael Ford & Rafeeq Asad
created on Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.
“The piece represents time in a new dimension. The 526 white strikes on the Black body represents each second the officer had his knee on George Floyd’s neck. There were 526 missed opportunities for his fellow officers to speak up
and prevent this murder. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd”
Created on Community Pharmacy
Untitled by Maia Pearson
created on Short Stack Eatery.
Untitled by Yorel Lashley & Drum Power
created at 120 N. Fairchild St.
Juntos by Cassie Pierce & Paulina Kababie
created on Mad Seafood Boiler.
Untitled by Rosy & Ruby Hawbaker
created on Fontana Sports.
Black Lives Matter: I Just Wanna Live by Freida High W. Tesfagiorgis
created on Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.
“This painting is a visual protest that joins the global protests against the racist police killing of George Floyd and the historical racism that kills and denigrates Black men and women in the USA. The expressionist portrait is inspired by young Keedron Bryant’s singing, “I Just Wanna Live,” written by his mother, Johnetta Bryant of Jacksonville, Florida.”
Untitled by Sirena Flores.
“Being Black, is more than the color of my skin. So, when we don’t get proper treatment at the doctor’s, or when we don’t get proper nourishment for our body, we feel that in our body. So, the fact that my body exists, and is living, and is breathing, and I’m trying to keep my body strong, that in itself [is resistance]. Police, are committing a modern-day genocide, and the fact that I’m alive and I’m breathing is resistance.”
Echo by Audifax & Edgewood High School Social Justice Club
created on SEE Eyewear.
“My words are unable to explain the depth and sincerity expressed. I contributed the one way I felt I could in this moment, working through an image to help bring attention to the voice of the Black community and the youth I collaborated with. Together we transformed sheets of plywood into a message, their message. The strong woman I was going to paint as street art in an alley was meant to stand for something more. The teens wanted to add a list of bills that everyone could vote on, to give people an idea of how they can make a difference, but as work progressed the creation became more focused on representing growth, a hand with seeds and the direct message “BLM.” People stopped to say “thank you” and oftentimes I found myself saying it back, “thank YOU.” Being a part of this moment feels sacred.”
Pressure by Jerry Jordan
was created on the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art building.
“My piece is about the pressure and isolation, that African Americans often feel as we navigate our way through a hostile society where the rules are not in our favor.”
Untitled by Simone Lawrence
was created on Driftless Studio.
Untitled by Kati Walsh & O’Keeffe Middle School Art Students
created on University Square Dental.
Black is Beautiful by Tony Catteruccia
created on Overture Center for the Arts.
“I painted this image, inspired by Angela Davis, to represent a powerful African American woman. Davis was one of the first African American women to represent herself in court and get all the charges dropped…The panthers symbolize beauty and black power…I tend to use colors that aren’t “skin tones”.
Untitled by Charlotte Cummins, Meri Lau, Candace Patterson, Gwen Kong, Leslie Dickerson, & Nicole Issaacs
created on the Overture Center for the Arts.
Untitled by Rodney Lambright II
created on Tobacco Mart building.
Untitled by Carrie Morgan
created on the vomFASS company building.
Untitled by Melana Bass
created on the Overture Center for the Arts
Melana Bass is the recipient of the “ keep The Movement Moving” Artist relief fund. “This was completely random and a dope $100 blessing towards my business MB Art!”
1 Samuel 17 by Odalo Wasikhongo
created on Madison Museum of Contemporary Art building.
Untitled by IATSE Union,
created on Overture Center for the Arts.
What They See Vs. What They Don’t See by Lature & Duowan Rimson
was created on the Overture Center for the Arts’ building.
“This piece (along with poem) shows what the police see (the anger, rebellion, aggression, etc.); versus what they don’t see ( the children, the innocent lives); the very reasons we’re fighting back regardless of their threats of deadly force.”
We Are Seeds by Brooklyn Denae Doby & Ciara Nash
created on Short Stack Eatery storefront.
“Me and Brooklyn’s goal was to promote healing. The quote to me assures that we are more than what we are painted as. One way I chose to start (I’m sure many of us do this) is to speak positively and remind myself of the things that I am capable of. I’m glad that we’re able to do that for our community. -Ciara Nash”
“The mural is a nature scene of seeds that have grown into strong standing flowers (people). The flowers are made of Ciara and I’s handprints to represent Black lives leaving their mark. In the center of the mural is a huge sun with a quotes that reads “they tried to bury us, they didn’t know that we were seeds.” I’m not sure who said it exactly. But it was such a powerful quote to us that we wanted to include it as a reminder that for centuries, the world has been trying to tear us down but we will continue to rise. The storm that we are in is only watering our roots.
Untitled by Lilada Gee & Cassy Marzette
created on the Overture Center for the Arts.
Love, Peace, Equality and Justice by Edgardo Lugo
created on Michelangelo’s Coffee House.
“I wish for future generations to live in love, peace, unity, kindness, happiness, awareness and connected to ourselves and our natural world in harmony. Technology has brought us closer and we are advancing in many fields, but let’s not forget that we are all part of this planet and everything we do, think, say and feel has an effect. We require to be conscious of our actions. We need to ask ourselves what we are doing to make this world better for future generations and our planet earth. Let’s all cooperate together for a better tomorrow and unite for progression and change for the greater good.”
Inclusion by Triangulador
created on It’s Sugar.
“This word touches a subject that some people are unaware of. The lack of inclusion, when you’re left out of a conversation because of the tone of your skin, your background or what you represent to the people that are taking the decisions, (“Whatever you stand for” in their eyes, instead of what it really is). This is a limiting factor in the development of someone’s life, I have personally experienced it and you shouldn’t feel like you have to walk on eggshells because of the color of your skin.”
From Pain to Glory by Batenga Obuseh & Kiyem Obuseh
created on Overture Center for the Arts.
“This piece was created in three distinct parts. It begins at the bottom and rises. The first part represents the pain of having our children ripped from us by racists and depraved folks. Stop, Think, Don’t Shoot! The bill to pay the slavery reparations is way past due. It is in default. Black people are not 3/5ths and are due billions in reparations. The names of some of the murdered victims are written on the hands. This is a plea to the world, remove racist people from all levels of government and your workplaces especially at the highest executive and judicial levels. Be on the right side of history.”
Untitled by The Artist (aka Eric Cross)
created at 508 State St.
Arm in Arm, by Bree Bregman
created on Fontana Sports.
‘Arm in Arm’ is an illustration intended to portray unity and strength and togetherness. It’s so essential for white individuals to educate themselves on the history of race, so that they can fight for their Black friends and family. As a biracial human I have an acute understanding of how impossible it will be for Black Americans to be treated justly in this country without millions of white people educating themselves and demanding change. We must come together to make meaningful, lasting changes.
Untitled by Daniella Echeverria
created on the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art’s building.
Untitled by Monique Karlen, La Follette High School Students, & Middleton High School Students.
My students are Shantiana McNeal (we used her sketch for the design of our mural), Elyse Whitmore, Brie Heine, Poetry Evans from LaFollette, Desiree Orr, Eliza Orr from Middleton H.S., and Sofie Schachter who joined us on the last day from East H.S..
“Our work started out as a group of LaFollette High School students that eventually led to collaboration with a couple Middleton High School students joining us. A freshman student at La Follette came with a beginning sketch that we worked off of and it evolved into the finished piece. In three days from start to finish we made creative decisions which diverted from the original sketch to the final piece. In the end any text we thought about adding was left off so that viewers could look at the work objectively. We love the finished piece and the power it portrays!”
