A section of Dayton Street is closed this week as crews paint a mural, designed by local artist Bernie Witzack, bernie & zuzu, for Madison’s asphalt art demonstration project in Madison on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.
A one-block section of West Dayton Street closed this week near the Kohl Center as crews, including, from left, Sarah Braden, with The Pastel Abstract, volunteer Lauren Hagedorn and Alisa Toninato, with FeLion Studios, apply a mural by local artist Bernie Witzack as part of a demonstration project to see whether the artwork can help slow down traffic in the area.
AMBER ARNOLD photos, STATE JOURNAL
(From left) Local artist Bernie Witzack of bernie & zuzu works with a crew, including Henry Collins, GG and Nina Comiskey, painting a mural she designed as part of the city of Madison’s asphalt art demonstration project on Dayton Street on Thursday.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
The city hopes the art will reduce crashes along West Dayton Street by making the street feel tighter. One planner compared it to “a road diet.”
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
Washington, D.C.-based street artists helped format and paint Witzack’s design from an original screen print.
AMBER ARNOLD photos, STATE JOURNAL
West Dayton Street is a high-traffic area, especially for college students driving, walking or cycling to the Kohl Center and other campus buildings.
AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL
West Dayton Street will reopen to normal traffic Friday after the last coat of paint dries and crews clear the area.
