By Katie Vaughn | Photo courtesy Madison Public Art Project
This summer, a beautiful project bloomed in Fitchburg. “Wildflowers of Wisconsin” is a fiber art mural featuring vivid crocheted flora native to the state. On exhibition until August 2025 at McKee Farms Park, the mural showcases the talents of lead fiber artist Kiersten Darling and teaching artist Sapphira Afifi, who led crochet workshops to stitch community members into the art-making process.
“This is the perfect example of projects the nonprofit is excited to showcase,” says Jillian Talarczyk, founder and creative director of the Madison Public Art Project (MPAP), which commissioned the piece.
Talarczyk started the organization after returning to Madison during the pandemic. She had been working as an art advisor in New York (and still does art advising), but back in her hometown, Talarczyk developed a vision for bringing art to broader audiences.
“Coming from private acquisition, that’s why I love public art — it’s for everyone,” she says. “We wanted to offer more public art to Wisconsin communities.”
Over the past four years, the Madison Public Art Project has brought about both permanent works, such as the popular downtown “Flamingo Swirls” mural, and temporary pieces at the UW Arboretum, outside the Madison Public Library and on fire hydrants.
“With every project, there’s an important social justice message,” Talarczyk says, adding that “Wildflowers” raises awareness about climate change.
Talarczyk is proud of what she’s accomplished and excited about what’s ahead. She will unveil three new murals in 2025 and she’s constantly taking calls about new ideas.
“Art can inspire imagination and ignite change like nothing else,” she says. “We all want more art.”
