Arboretum Neighborhood Association

Hi Everyone!

RECAP

The ANA applied for and was awarded a grant by the City of Madison Neighborhood Association Grant Program earlier this year.  The funds will be used to paint two neighborhood murals.  The Lake Forest Neighborhood Water Co-op has graciously allowed us access to paint the first mural on the side of their pump house building located where Martin Street curves and across from the UW Arboretum parking area.  The second mural will be developed in the Spring of 2026 and is planned for the side of the building housing Neff Cycle across from Fraust Park.

DESIGN

All of you were invited to vote on designs submitted by residents right here in the Arboretum Neighborhood last week.  The winning design is:

This piece was created by Hannah Jilk, one of our newer neighbors who joined our area last year!  Read below to learn a little more about her and her work:

Hannah Jilk is the artist behind the Arboretum neighborhood’s new mural. A full-time copywriter who works from her home on Field Street, Hannah moved to the neighborhood this past spring with her husband, Thomas, and their corgi, Gary.

In addition to her writing work, Hannah is a visual artist with a passion for bringing creativity into public spaces. She’s painted several murals across Wisconsin, teaches stained glass, and creates commissioned illustrations for businesses across the Midwest. Her work blends color with community, often designed to spark joy, connection, and bring vibrance to everyday places.

Hannah is grateful for the opportunity to share her art close to home and is excited to get to know the neighborhood better through this project!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

I have created a sign up for neighbors to select a time to be “Volunteer Painters”.  NO ARTISTIC SKILL IS REQUIRED!  The design will be traced onto the wall and marked with color coded numbers.  Volunteer painters will literally be creating the mural al la “paint by number.”  I will attach the guide sheet below that all volunteers will be given at the event for reference.  Children are encouraged to participate!  Neighbors are welcome to drop in and visit at any time throughout the two days of the project and share in the excitement whether they are actually painting or not!  The event will be held Saturday Sept. 20 10 am-4 pm and Sunday Sept. 21 12 pm-4 pm

HOW ELSE TO HELP

The ANA Board of Directors is only 7 people.  We always welcome more helping hands!  The Board will be providing light refreshments and snacks, providing simple yard games to play, arts and crafts for the kiddos, and also providing supervision and assistance to all volunteer painters.  There are many “jobs” to keep the event running along smoothly and keeping the energy going!  If you are able to lend a hand please reach out to myself or Jaala Spiro (jaalaspiro@protonmail.com).

TIMELINE

You will begin to notice activity starting on Sept. 17th.  The designated wall will be pressure washed.  The following day a base coat of paint will be applied.  The night of the 19th the design will be projected onto the building and Hannah and helpers will complete the tracing of the outlines with paint markers.  Saturday the 20th set up will commence bright and early and we ask neighbors to begin to join us starting at 10 am and will wrap up at 4 pm.  On Sunday the 21st we will apply touch ups and any other finishing work needed, asking neighbors to join us from 12 pm to 4 pm.  Any other details needed to officially finish the painting will be completed through out the following week by our artist Hannah.  The following weekend on Sunday September 28th, the ANA Board will host a small “ribbon cutting” ceremony celebration with the neighborhood.  More details about this celebration will come in a separate email.

Bonus

ANA Board member Jaala Spiro is creating some very thoughtful commemorative “goodie bags” for our volunteer painters and helpers!  One special item included will be a vinyl sticker created from the mural design idea submitted by one of our up and coming teen aged artists in the neighborhood, Willa Singer.  We wanted to find a way to recognize her contributions and support that youthful energy.  So be on the lookout for that special inclusion!!

*Design submissions and painting dates will be solicited after the first of the year for the planned second mural project.