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Teens in Wisconsin Justice System Collaborate with Artists on Murals

by Kate Mothes

Four people stand by an exterior wall as they paint a large mural.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Bubbler at Madison Public Library
'Driveway Mural' was completed during the summer of 2020 at the Juvenile Court Shelter Home. Students took the lead on design, inspired by workshops by artists Carlos Gacharna and Audifax.

Madison Public Library’s Making Justice program has facilitated over 20 murals with help from empowered, inspired teens.

In one of many hallways within the Madison Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), “We Wish You Knew” transformed a bare cinder block wall into a vibrant personal expression.

It’s one of the latest in a series of murals facilitated by The Bubbler at Madison Public Library’s teen program, Making Justice.

Hands using markers to trace a projection of a drawing on a white wall.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Bubbler at Madison Public Library
‘Food Explored’ mural was created in collaboration with artist Peter Krsko and the Juvenile Court Shelter Home in spring of 2019. It incorporates stencil designs by the students along with microscopic food items.

Making ‘Making Justice’

Evolving from a series of workshops and animation classes for teens, a group of librarians, academics, and community partners teamed up in 2014 to raise funds to support classes for underserved youth around the community.

Making Justice went through a necessary period of trial and error as the team fostered community partnerships and learned what worked—or didn’t.

“We found out over time that some of the most powerful, quickest things, like sharing food, brought everybody together really fast,” Jesse Vieau says, “and following the lead of the kids was the only way.” Vieau, the Teen Services Librarian, and a dedicated team of staff and artists spearhead the program.

The idea for murals arose organically from kids’ interest. The more organic and participatory the project, the more energy the teens invested, and the more Vieau and his collaborators noticed an impact.

 

A large wall mural painting depicting two people wearing headphones and with writing all around them. The are large letters that read, 'we wish you knew.'
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Bubbler at Madison Public Library
‘We Wish You Knew’ mural evolved from a workshop with artist Maria Schirmer Devitt that invited students to share their wishes. The painting was made on two 8 x 4 panels during winter break of the 2023-2024 school year.

If I Had One Wish…

For “We Wish You Knew,” lead artist Maria Schirmer invited participants to reflect on their lives and current experiences at the JDC while considering a hopeful future. She asked key questions like, “What do you wish people knew about you?” or “What is your biggest wish?”

“I wish I felt safe in my house,” “I wish you knew that I am a good parent,” and “I wish you knew that I can make a fast beat,” are just a few of the thoughts shared among the group, which shaped the ultimate design. 

The painting also incorporates lyrics by an influential musical artist. “Unanimously, this particular group of students felt inspired by the musician Rod Wave, whose music talks about the fear and loneliness of being in a juvenile detention facility, heartache, and dreams of being powerful,” the Making Justice team says in a statement about the project.

“The designs are just so much better when they come from the kids,” Schirmer adds. “Having their own inspiration was so much better than anything I could have dreamed up.”

Four young people sitting or kneeling on the floor as they paint a large wall mural.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Bubbler at Madison Public Library
The ‘First Step mural in progress, with young artists working on it.
A wall with a large mural painting depicting stairs, the sun, the moon, and a skyscape.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Bubbler at Madison Public Library
‘First Step’ mural was completed with the help of artists Maria Schirmer Devitt, Christina Theobald, and Savannah Starlin at the Juvenile Detention Center in winter of 2022-23.
A view through a glass window of a large wall with a mural painting depicting a person's head in black and white colors.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Bubbler at Madison Public Library
‘Look Within’ mural was made in the Juvenile Detention Center in spring of 2019 with artist Audifax.

Building on Learning

Making Justice has facilitated more than 20 murals at the JDC, Dane County Jail, and the Juvenile Court Shelter Home, among others. 

Recently, artist Jerry Butler reimagined the bollards at the entrance of the Youth Justice & Prevention building, and frequent collaborator Audifax created “Bloom,” an ode to springtime, brightness, and hope. 

The underlining mission of the program centers around teamwork and basic skill development. “Bubblerarian” Rob Franklin, who focuses on media projects, described the program as “hands-on, pivot-based learning.” Vieau adds that that’s because “we pivot and we pivot and we pivot, because [the students are] in charge … whether it’s silence, whether it’s not looking like learning, there’s a lot of focus on building relationships to get to the point of making something meaningful.”