Mural Unveiling
press release: Join Slow Food UW and The Crossing on Feb 2nd, 2019 from 5:30-8pm in the basement of The Crossing (1127 University Ave, Madison WI 53715) to unveil our new social justice-themed Mural, created in collaboration with 8 Wisconsin artists! Cost is on a sliding scale from $9-$36 which includes a buffet dinner provided by Slow Food UW at 6:15pm. Kids tickets are free.
Tickets can be purchased from Slow Food UW’s Facebook Mural Event Page:
https://www.facebook.com/
Purpose:
In October of 2018, Slow Food UW and The Crossing set out to determine a way to spruce up their shared dining space located in the basement of the Crossing. The two organizations shared one goal: create a beautiful space that would be more welcoming to all people. They quickly began brainstorming, and settled on the idea of creating a mural with a social justice theme that would be painted by local artists. They settled on this framework because their organizations each exist to advance social justice, and believed that a mural could be a mechanism to work towards that shared mission. The mural project helps advance social justice by: 1) being collaborative so that the space elevates, educates, and encourages conversation about different social justice issues, and 2) supporting the local community by providing artists a living wage to do what they love.
Organizations’ Backgrounds
Slow Food UW has been an established student organization at UW-Madison since 2007. Their mission is to “promote and model an alternative food system where food is good, clean, and fair for all by supporting sustainable food practices, creating an inviting community around food, and advancing food justice in the Madison area.” They carry out this mission through 4 key projects: Family Dinner Night, Café, Outreach, and South Madison.
- Family Dinner Night: interns work with local chefs to provide $5, 3-course, sustainably produced and locally-sourced meals on Monday evenings at 6:30pm in the basement of The Crossing during the school year.
- Café: interns collaborate with campus organizations to provide the community with sustainably produced, locally-sourced meals that range from $5-8 on Wednesday’s from 11:30-1:30pm in the basement of The Crossing during the school year. A la carte items include a meat and vegetarian main, two sides and one dessert along with kombucha and coffee.
- Outreach: interns host workshops throughout the school year to give students the opportunity to learn how to cook using local produce and goods.
- South Madison: interns work closely with organizations located in the South Madison area to foster strong relationships that result in mutually beneficial learnings for those involved. This achieved through a range of programs and partnerships.
The Crossing is a progressive campus ministry at UW-Madison. They strive to nurture a faith community that “embodies the radical inclusiveness, extravagant welcome and compassionate living found in the life and teachings of Jesus.” They aim to create a safe space on campus where students can enjoy and question life, regardless of beliefs, gender, race, sexuality, ability, or any other identity one may hold. They offer Christian worship services on Sundays at 5pm and free student meals that follow at 6pm during the school year.
Artists’ Backgrounds
When Slow Food UW and The Crossing came together to start seeking out artists for the mural, they cast the net widely by putting up posters and sending emails across campus. 48 excellent artists applied and ultimately the applicants were narrowed to just eight. These artists include: Shiloah Coley, Mario Fregoso (aka FORNOW), Tony Torres, Adreena Burhanuddin. Pete Hoddap, Sylvia Hecht, Natalie Hinahara & Angelica Contreras.
Natalie Hinaraha has been leading this project from the artistic perspective, providing invaluable design insight. Her work is a meticulous, borderline scientific portrayal of prairie diversity and seed migration. She believes humans like seeds must be able to move freely.
Adreena Burhanuddin grew up loving art and furthered that passion at UW-Madison with a certificate in studio arts. Her mural is both a portrayal and critique of how education and privilege intersect.
Angelica Contreras grew up in Guadalajara, Jalisco and has been teaching and creating art ever since. Her mural features folk art imagery and the phrase “De Todo Corizon” to remind us all to “give with your heart.”
Mario Fregoso aka FORNOW is a graffiti artist who has work in Milwaukee and Madison. His bright spray paint stands in harmonious contrast to his co-artists and his themes remind us all with courage and love for our neighbors and for immigrants we can build social justice.
Pete Hodapp is a professional designer and muralist based in Viroqua, WI. His five distinct portraits display five individuals holding vessels containing food, from a trash bag to a CSA box, showing that access to food is vital for everyone in a equitable world.
Shiloah Coley grew up in the South Side of Chicago in a Jamaican American household and has worked continuously towards a greater representation of black and brown bodies in art. Her mural represents how easily we become distracted in our endeavors and attempts to support others - often we reach for what is easiest and most convenient for us instead of taking on the hard work required to offer a helping hand.
Sylvia Hecht has been working as a freelance muralist for the past few years in Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia and the United States. Her work portrays mother earth lying passive and beautiful (think Moana goddess) while the food system grows in and around her but rarely gives anything back.
Tony Torres is an artist from Berkley, CA studying both the environment and visual arts at UW-Madison. His contribution puts his signature whimsical cubism characters in harmony with the natural world, working with understanding and peace rather than discord and extraction.
Don’t miss an opportunity to celebrate the hard work of these 8 artists and hear, first hand, the meaning behind the smallest details of their pieces! It will be an unforgettable food-filled event, in support of social justice and all of its beauty. All sales go directly to the artists. Unable to attend the event, but still want to contribute? Just donate to Slow Food UW before the event!
More information about the event can be found on Slow Food UW’s and the Crossing’s websites:
http://www.crossingministries.
Questions? Contact Slow Food UW at:
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