Madison Reporter

Madison Arts Commission funds winter labyrinth for Blink Temporary Public Art Program

An 89-foot diameter temporary walking LABYRINTH will be constructed from recycled holiday tree branches this winter, and will be free and open to the public. How Lovely Are Thy Branches is coming to Olbrich Park Beach in Madison WI, January 2 through March 1, 2022. This Project was commissioned by Madison Arts Commission Blink program which supports artist proposed temporary public art installations. Conceived, designed, and facilitated by local Madison artist, Lillian Sizemore, the project is also supported by a Matching Grant from an anonymous arts fund at the Madison Community Foundation, administered through Communication Madison.

Will you be cutting or buying a holiday tree this winter?

WE WANT YOUR TREES!

Drop off your used holiday greens from JAN 2-29, 2022 at the designated point at OLBRICH PARK, 3527 Atwood Ave. (at Walter St., Near the Biergarten).

Look for the signs placed at the DROP OFF site, right next to the parking lot.

The project needs Real Trees only - no ornaments, no wired wreaths or swags please. Sizemore needs about 250 trees to line the pathways with their branches - - continued…

Anna January, the chair of the Madison Arts Commission offers, “We are so happy to see this temporary public art installation come to fruition. The artist has been planning and working with City staff to secure permissions for nearly a year.” She added, “Lillian Sizemore is a talented artist and she is giving our community a beautiful gift, a place to enter the beautiful winter landscape and find peace within. Our community needs special places for reflection and healing right now.” The project was created as a platform for environmental dialogue, personal reflection, and hospitality.

ON OPENING DAY: a Celebration is planned and details are underway.

Opening Day to the Public, SUNDAY JAN 30, 2022

3:00 PM to 5:30PM (more details to come)

Sunset is at 5:07 PM that day.

A special illuminated hoop performance is planned with Hoop Elation founder and Instructor Danielle Lee  and others, to open and energize the labyrinth. The Glowing Hoop Procession will take place starting around 4:30PM.

The public is invited to bring a light: such as solar lights, LED candles, glow sticks, headlamps, flashlights, etc. No open flames are allowed.

The Mexican restaurant “Taco Local”  will have their food truck at the park, or Opening Day, Sunday Jan 30th, to provide snacks, chili, and warm drinks during the opening festivities.

Kite Aerial Photographer Craig Wilson , will be documenting the event from the air. Announcements and thanks will be presented.

More information on the opening day schedule will be available in the coming weeks. Please contact Ms. Sizemore or Ms. Wolf for more information..

Labyrinth is open throughout the month of February 2022. The labyrinth is FREE and open to the public during normal park hours, from Jan 30th through the month of February, 2022. The Labyrinth may be closed to access, if weather conditions are muddy or otherwise unfavorable.