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Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Pinney Branch Library, 204 Cottage Grove Road

On Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 7:00pm at the Pinney Branch Library, 204 Cottage Grove Road, the Madison Arts Commission will hold a public meeting to discuss the future of the sculpture Effigy Tree (1991), by sculptor Harry Whitehorse.

Effigy Tree is a site-specific work that was commissioned by community members when lightening struck a full-grown hackberry tree on an effigy mound at what is now 2930 Lakeland Ave. in Madison. This sculpture has become significantly damaged by decay in the last 16 years and measures must be taken to prevent the work from deteriorating beyond repair.

The Madison Arts Commission (MAC), an 11-member body appointed by the Mayor to advise the City on public policy matters relating to arts and culture, is concerned about this sculpture's poor condition. MAC would like to gather information from the community about their feelings regarding the future of this piece of art.

Karin Wolf, the city's Arts Program Administrator, recently met with sculptor Harry Whitehorse to discuss his artistic intent and his wishes for the future of this piece. Whitehorse followed up with a written document that outlines the history of this work and his wishes for Effigy Tree (forwarded upon request). Options will be discussed at the community meeting on September 5.

Later this month, the City of Madison will be transporting Effigy Tree to Whitehorse Gallery and Studio to begin conservation work. No decisions about what will happen with the work once it is restored will be made until after the public has been heard on this issue.

Contact: Karin Wolf, (608) 261-9134, kwolf@cityofmadison.com

Contacts

  • Karin Wolf, (608) 261-9134

Agency: 
Planning