Boarded-Up Storefronts Provide Canvas for Change

Artists take to boarded-up storefronts on Madison's State Street to spread messages.

By Lina Soblytė, Trevor Keller, Eric Schwierske

June 10, 2020 • South Central Region

George Floyd mural on Madison's State street.

A mural covering the windows of Rising Sons Thai restaurant.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

A mural depicting black lives matter and pride movements on Madison's State Street. Eric Schwierske/PBS Wisconsin

Words from Bob Marley's songs shaping his hair in the mural call for justice and peace.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

"The Importance of Black Lives Isn't a Debate" mural on State Street by PBS Wisconsin Television Artist Rodney Lambright II. Trevor Keller/PBS Wisconsin

A memorial for Breonna Taylor.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

Cyclists exploring State Street art.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

Mural of a woman on Madison's State Street.Trevor Keller/PBS Wisconsin

George Floyd mural and memorial covering Casa de Lara restaurant on State street.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

Mural in front of Mooyah on Madison's State Street. Eric Schwierske/PBS Wisconsin

State Street art with one of the most popular chants of the protests: "I Can't Breathe."Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

"I had a Nightmare" mural on Red Square Flowers store on State Street.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

A collection of murals on State Street.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

"LOVE" mural on State Street.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

Artist Liu Szwako works on a mural on Madison's State Street.Trevor Keller/PBS Wisconsin

A group of artists working on a big scale mural covering one of the Overture Center windows.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

A boy throwing a fist in the air while posing by the mural of Barack and Michelle Obama.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

An empowering mural with the famous words of Maya Angelou.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

A passerby captures art on a side street near the State Street.Lina Soblytė/PBS Wisconsin

Statement to the Communities We Serve

There is no place for racism in our society. We must work together as a community to ensure we no longer teach, or tolerate it. Read the full statement.