Artists work on Mad Street Art Initiative’s first mural in Beaver Dam

One of the artists, Irineo Medina, worked last week on his portion of the mural, while Brooklyn Doby is working this week on finishing the design that will decorate the northern side of the building, 1022 Madison St.

The Mad Street Art Initiative was started six years ago by Linda Chipman from Chippy’s Popcorn Creations and Laura Goral from the Habitat for Humanity Restore – Beaver Dam. The goal was to bring an urban art influence to the city.

Chipman said both of their schedules made it difficult to stay on task to raise the $10,000 needed for the first mural, but everything came together to bring it to reality.

“It’s been a long journey, but we are definitely glad to get it started,” Chipman said.

Beaver Dam is home to many murals. The Wall Dog Mural Festival brought many of them to town in 2017, but others have been added throughout the years.

The two artists for the Madison Street project were chosen during the planning process. Chipman had seen Medina at work doing a mural in Kewaskum and Doby was found online. Both Wisconsin artists’ work that features diversity.

Originally a different design was chosen, but with the amount of time since the project began it has changed. Chipman said Medina’s piece is called “De la Tierra,” a Spanish phrase which translates to “of the Earth.”

“He’s painting a woman that has floral and greenery below it,” Chipman said.

Doby’s piece, which she is working on this week, is called “Rooted,” Chipman said.

“It is almost like two murals, but they are intertwined together, so some portions will overlap with each other,” Chipman said. “They each have their own individual style and designs, but they will be kind of together.

Goral and Chipman will be getting together in November to talk about adding more murals, said Chipman.

“We know better how to proceed with number two,” Chipman said.

Ideally, three to four murals would be displayed on Madison Street businesses.

There will be plaques added to the pieces in the future, Chipman said.

Funds are being accepted to add more murals to buildings on Madison Street.

For more information or to find out about donating to the project, contact Chipman by email at ljoychip@gmail.com or by text at 920-763-8850. Checks should be made out to the Dodge County Center for the Arts with a memo line that says Mad Street Art Initiative. Checks can be mailed to DCCA, P.O. Box 442, Beaver Dam, WI 53916-0442.