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“Sharon’s commitment and passion to involve as many people as feasibly
possible was an inspiration to all of us at the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center. From spending
countless hours discussing mural ideas and concepts with area residents at community functions to
patiently guiding nervous youth in painting, Sharon vastly exceeded our expectations.”
Gary Kallas, Director Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center
Sharon brings divergent people together through community art projects. She makes people with all
levels of talent feel welcome and included.
2009/2008 - "History of the Arts on Willy St. in the 70's"
This project tells the story of the artist, poets, musicians and activists who lived and worked
in the Willy St area during the 1970’s when a vibrancy existed up and down the street.
The project consists of two parts:
- The collection of oral histories from those involved;
- The creation of a vibrant outdoor community mural depicting that history on the Few Street
side of the Social Justice Center at 1202 Williamson.
Learn more...
2008/2007 Sun Prairie - "Diversity" Mural
Covers an entire 4 sided building - Angel Park
Sun Prairie WI - By Youth for Youth grant
2008 - Centro Hispano - "Mi Casa Es Su Casa - Home Away From Home" Mural
Family Centers - Madison, WI
UW Educational Outreach - Technology and the Arts
Atwood Youth Center - Madison, WI
UW Educational Outreach - Technology and the Arts
Overture Center for the Arts – to be opened in 2056 - a fabric collage sewn of remnants from “A
Celebration of Madison’s 150 Years – in Cloth” accompanied by a poem by poet laureate, Andrea Musher,
commemorating the project.
All items described here were contributed by Madison residents in 2006 for inclusion in “Fabrications
– A Celebration of Madison’s 150 Years – in Cloth” my Sesquicentennial project. The items collected here
are “remnants” from the original nine panels sewn at community sewing bees. These remnants were
gathered here and sewn into a quilt that was included in the Madison Channel 3 Time Capsule that will
be opened in 2056. The quilt accompanied Andrea Musher’s poem commemorating the project. Andrea was poet
laureate of Madison from to 2008.
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Descriptions of the items run from left to right in four rows.
- 1940’s Badger State fabric from Mary Robinson was contributed by her daughter
Lynn Stickels, head swim coach at the East YMCA. Mary’s family worked with the
international YMCA. She continued to drive herself to the Y into her 90’s.
- 1960’s satin wedding dress fabric was contributed by Carla
Koykkari, of Rosie’s Traveling Show. Carla specializes in refurbishing vintage clothing,
offering them “new life.”
- Bucky Badger t-shirt was contributed by the artist’s daughter,
Lili Kilfoy.
- 1900’s tablecloth fragment was contributed by Joanne Jensen,
daughter of Josephina Magnasco, owner of Josie’s Restaurant. The tablecloth belonged
to Josie’s mother and came from Sicily.
- 1999 East High School graduation gown collar was contributed by the artist’s
daughter, Elena Kilfoy.
- 1983 Willy Street Fair t-shirt commemorates what has become the most popular of
Madison’s many street festivals.
- Gold wrist watch belonged to Donna Heideman’s mother. Now in her 70’s, Donna recently retired
after 50 years as a neonatal nurse at Meriter Hospital. Donna literally helped birth thousands of
Madisonians.
- 1950’s Josie’s Spaghetti House t-shirt was contributed by Joanne Jensen. Josie’s
was the longest running Italian Restaurant to-date in Madison.
- Blue satin embroidered jacket was contributed by Judy Sharpless from the Parental
Stress Center, where she works as a therapist with girls who have suffered sexual abuse.
The jacket was a beloved dress up item.
- American Girl Doll apparel was contributed by the Pleasant Company. In 1986 Madison
philanthropist Pleasant Rowland founded the American Girl brand as a way to educate and
entertain girls. The idea proved to be such a hit that in 1998 Pleasant sold her company
to Mattel, a giant toy company. Pleasant and her husband Jerry Frautschi have left
Madison a permanent legacy in the Overture Center for the Arts.
- 1890’s beaded black dresser scarf remnant was contributed by the artist.
- 1930’s handkerchief was contributed by Brandy Stiteler, retro clothing manager of
St. Vincent de Paul’s. In expressing how much she loves her job, Brandy says,
“Every day is like dress up day!”
- 1940’s orange velvet dress was purchased by the artist from a warehouse sale by
Opera for the Young.
- 2004 Northwoods League Champions patch was contributed by baseball team Madison
Mallards.
- 2006 College for Kids t-shirt was contributed by the artist. The innovative program
offers enrichment experiences for middle school children.
- Hand dyed fabric was contributed by local artist Cherie St Cyr.
- 1990 The Home Planet t-shirt was contributed by Wildwood Productions, a local silk
screen business that enjoys a national reach yet remains at the heart of the intersection
between art and the Madison community.
- 2006 Madison Museum of Contemporary Art t-shirt was contributed by Wildwood
Productions.
- Hand printed Farmers Market t-shirt (circa 1975) was contributed by artist Carol
Hambrecht who has been selling her creations at the Farmer’s Market for 30years.
- 1950-60 Boy Scout badges and patches were contributed by Karen Mandt, on behalf of
her brother Eugene.
- Miscellaneous fabrics were contributed by Vicki Oldham and Erin Sobek.
- Miscellaneous pins and small items were contributed by the artist.
- 1990 Red satin border fabric was contributed by the artist’s daughter, Shadayra.
It was from a dress that Shady wore as a dama in a friend’s quincenera (becoming 15
years old) celebration.
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“Sesquicentennially stitched, we are all in the mix. She has hitched our remnants to a
hopeful star.”
Andrea Musher, Madison Poet Laureate
Nine 6’x6’ fabric collages made from artifacts collected from more than 130 individual, families
and groups, sewn together at community sewing bees.
WI Arts Board, Dane County Cultural Affairs and
Madison Citiarts grants
Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center 30th Anniversary
Wisconsin Arts Board and Dane County Cultural Affairs grants
Dane County Cultural Affairs and Madison Citiart grants.
“Sharon’s dedication to this project has provided the city of Madison with a
historical perspective of local skaters in an ice arena setting. The final product has been extremely
well received by everyone who has seen it, and many are genuinely awe-struck. It is simply that good.”
Fritz Kronke, Recreational Service Supervisor
Visit www.respitecenter.org to see the following projects and exhibits organized by Sharon:
UW Hospitals, Absolutely Art, Middleton Public Library
Exhibits at Madison Central Library, Family Centers
Dane County Cultural Affairs grant
2000 - 01 “Coming of Age” Persona Doll project
Exhibits at Madison Civic Center, Madison Central Library, Family Centers
Dane County Cultural Affairs grant
Exhibits at Madison Central Library, Family Centers, and Rockford, IL Public Library
Dane County Cultural Affairs grant
Madison Central Library, Enterprise Gallery, Family Centers, Dane County Cultural Affairs grant
“Over the years I have known Sharon she has had two main interests – art and kids.
She has a natural gift relating to kids. This has been enhanced by her work with at-risk kids at the
Respite Center.”
Meg Miller, Respite Center Director
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