Roadway Artwork at 43rd+Vliet

Artists Working in Education and neighboring businesses, Denizen MKE, Washington Park Media Center and JazzyRaé Jewels & Accessories, are seeking funding to support the integration of community-designed roadway artwork onto the medians along Vliet Street. This initiative is intended to improve neighborhood safety, create a welcoming gateway into Washington Park, and strengthen community pride and connection.

Traffic studies and national case examples demonstrate that roadway artwork can serve as effective traffic-calming measures, helping to reduce vehicle speeds, increase driver awareness, and enhance pedestrian safety. By transforming a busy intersection into a visually engaging space, we aim to make travel safer for all users while elevating the aesthetic character of the corridor.

In addition to improving safety, this project will foster community engagement and creative expression. Teens from Artists Working in Education’s Rising Artists Council program will collaborate with a teaching artist to develop design options for the medians. These concepts will then be shared with local residents and business owners for feedback and to guide the selection of the final design. The chosen artwork will be implemented during a community-based street festival, ensuring the process not only reflects the neighborhood’s identity but also builds a sense of ownership and collective pride in the space.

Phase I: Design

Phase II: Fabrication

Phase III: Implementation and Celebration

Safety doesn't have to look like concrete barriers; it can look like art, and we need the community's help to "create" that protection into reality.