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The City of Madison is commissioning a Percent for Art project for the Far West Operations Facility at 402 South Point Road. The Milligan Studio developed a concept in consultation with the Sketchworks Architecture design team. Members of the community are now invited to provide feedback on the proposed design. Your survey responses will be shared with the Madison Arts Commission to inform their decision and recommendation to the Madison Common Council.

Design Development
In August, 2025 The Milligan Studio hosted meetings with neighborhood residents and staff who will use the site. They also gathered input via a community survey. From this engagement, they developed the following goals and design intentions.

Public Art Project Goals
  • Celebrate nature, local wildlife, native plants, and sunsets.
  • Grow community pride.
  • Honor the workers who will use the site.
  • Add beauty and visual interest to the public portions of the site.
  • Create a visually impactful artwork, visible to users of the multi-use path, sidewalk, facility and South Point Road.
  • Integrate into the landscape and site while remaining distinctive.
Design Proposal for Plough/Sky
  • Review full design proposal
  • Drawing inspiration from Wisconsin's Driftless region, the installation is a series of stylized ancient bird forms on benches replicating water ripples.
  • Influenced by the gesture of birds skimming across water. The ripples they create are similar to how ploughs cut through banks of snow.
  • Artist proposes blue patinated bronze with inset art glass in water shades and internal lighting.
  • Also available in other patinas, aluminum, and external lighting.
  • 5 sculptures in different sizes spread around for visitors to walk among.
  • Arrangement represents the concept of community and the collective efforts of individuals striving for a better future.
Photos below for quick reference.

Complete this survey by 2:00pm Thursday, March 12, 2026 to share your feedback with the Madison Arts Commission.

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Plough/Sky by The Milligan Studio
Shown in artist recommended blue patinated bronze with inset art glass in water shades and internal lighting.

Sculpture of a blue bird with a wing touching a bench, two figures sit on the bench.

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Plough/Sky by The Milligan Studio - Site Plan

Rendering of the site plan showing the sculptures along walking paths.

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* 1. On a scale of 0-10, how well does Plough/Sky reflect community values & character?

0=Does not reflect community values & character 10=Reflects community values & charater
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 2. On a scale of 0-10, how well will Plough/Sky build community pride?

0=Will not build community pride 10=Will build community pride
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 3. On a scale of 0-10, will Plough/Sky inspire you to visit this site?

0 = Will not inspire me visit the site 10 = Will inspire me to visit the site
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 4. On a scale of 0-10, how well integrated is Plough/Sky into the site?

0 = Not integrated 10 = Integrated
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 5. On a scale of 0-10, will Plough/Sky age well and stand the test of time?

0 = Will not age well 10 = Will age well
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 6. On a scale of 0-10, overall how satisfied are you with Plough/Sky?

0 = Not satisfied 10 = Satisfied
Clear
i We adjusted the number you entered based on the slider’s scale.

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* 7. What do you like about Plough/Sky?

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* 8. Do you have any concerns or is there anything you would change about Plough/Sky?

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* 9. Do you have any other comments, questions or concerns?

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* 10. Do you live or work in the this neighborhood?

0 of 10 answered
 

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