
Essence of the Union
Madison Artist Captures the Union Through Art
Gnomes from Der Rathskeller, Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, and Hoofer sailboats dance up the staircase next to Peet’s Coffee. The bold, vibrant mural is a recent addition to the art that has been an integral part of the Memorial Union since it opened in 1928. University of Wisconsin-Madison alumna and artist, Emily Balsley, embraced the tradition of immersive art at the Memorial Union with a mural capturing the essence of the Wisconsin Union. The eye-catching mural includes a Terrace-inspired color scheme with bold, black outlines and hidden Easter eggs. “There are even some nods to some of the other murals in the building and some of the history,” noted Balsley.
“It really is all Union and what the Union means.” –Artist, Emily Balsley
Emily graduated in ’01 from UW-Madison with a degree in graphic design and never thought she would end up painting a mural of her own at the Memorial Union, a place she visited often as a student. The mural-adorned stairwell leads to an outdoor seating area.
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Artist at Work
2019 – Artist and UW-alum, Emily Balsley, adds color to her mural in the stairwell at Memorial Union.
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Details
2019 – Detail of Emily Balsley's Essence of the Union mural.
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Details
2019 – Detail of Emily Balsley's Essence of the Union mural.
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Essence of the Union
2019 – Artist and UW-alum, Emily Balsley, puts the last touches on her Essence of the Union mural.