Science to Street Art Initiative unveiled a new mural, “Regenerative Coexistence,” at State Line Distillery on Sunday, October 20th.
This captivating artwork invites viewers to explore the intricate details of the Wisconsin landscape and the vibrant ecosystems nurtured by regenerative agriculture practices. “Regenerative Coexistence” is the eighth mural created through the Science to Street Art initiative, which showcases the collaboration between Wisconsin artists and UW-Madison researchers and was one of the final events for the Wisconsin Science Festival.
This mural holds significant meaning for the Wisconsin community. State Line Distillery reached out to the Science to Street Art program to create a mural for their building that honors regenerative agriculture–-a farming practice gaining momentum worldwide. State Line Distillery proudly partners with local Wisconsin farming co-ops, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the community.
“A key component of what we’re trying to do is take a big concept, like regenerative agriculture, and connect it to our farmlands and the things we do here, presenting it in a way that’s thought-provoking, engaging, and exciting,” said John Mleziva, the owner of State Line Distillery, in a new video by videographer, Aaron Granat. “The beautification of properties around the city attracts people to these murals, and it financially supports our local artists, which is super cool.”
The mural’s Wisconsin-based artists, Sonya Sankaran and Richie Morales, bring a captivating blend of creative approaches to the
project. While their individual styles differ significantly, they’ve crafted a collaborative vision that invites viewers into a world where abstraction meets the familiar and concrete. Their work transforms everyday subjects like peapods and bumblebees into vibrant explorations of the Wisconsin landscape. Upon inspection, viewers will uncover intricate details that reflect the rich ecosystems flourishing under regenerative agriculture practices. The mural’s artistic fusion not only celebrates the beauty of nature but also highlights the delicate balance between art and the environment.
“By training, I’m a scientist,” says Sankaran, “and I always felt I could learn the concepts much better and communicate them more effectively—and with more joy—when they were presented in a visual way, because it transports you to another organism or a different level of existence.”
The Science to Street Art program pairs selected artists with UW-Madison researchers on those topics. For this mural, Sankaran and Morales collaborated with Dr. Randy Jackson from the CALS Department, who specializes in community and ecosystem ecology. His knowledge and expertise helped the artists accurately convey complex scientific concepts.This collaboration aims to uplift communities and ignite conversations about the scientific topics that impact our lives.
–Morgan Ramsey
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