Experience Downtown Blog

Jefferson Street Mural Takes Flight

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MIAD alums commissioned to enhance passageway between downtown and Historic Third Ward

After reviewing 31 submissions spanning coast-to-coast, the Milwaukee Downtown Placemaking Task Force is proud to welcome Philadelphia-based mural artist CERA and painter Katie Batten to Milwaukee, as the commissioned artists for the Jefferson Street Pedestrian Tunnel. Located underneath the I-794 overpass, the 2012 graduates of Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design will transform the once overlooked facades of the tunnel into an Instagram-worthy public art installation.

Titled "Migration," the mural will celebrate the thousands of pedestrians who traverse between the two neighborhoods daily, but also the larger exchange of ideas and innovation taking place in Milwaukee all year round. Images have been sources from Milwaukee's natural and constructed landscapes, with sequences of Cream City brick, with local architecture collaged alongside city landmarks such as the Milwaukee Art Museum, Gas Light Building, Milwaukee Public Market and the Hoan Bridge. Over sized images of Wisconsin's local and migratory birds will be incorporated, a nod to the local ecology and metaphor of migration between the central business district and Historic Third Ward neighborhoods.

Watch as the mural takes flight, now through October 28. Then, on October 29, enjoy a meet and greet with the artists and a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony slated for 11 am at the Jefferson Street Pedestrian Tunnel. Doughnuts from Holey Moley and hot cider from 600 EAST Cafe will be served!

Philanthropic support of "Migration" comes from Milwaukee Downtown, BID #21, Johnson Controls, City of Milwaukee, Summerfest, HKS Holdings, LLC, Hawkeye Hotels/JR Hospitality, Buffalo Van Buren Partners and Hospitality Democracy. 

#MigrationMKE