The Teejop Community Art Project promotes learning and awareness of the over 14,000 year human story of Teejop (Four Lakes). Selected artists will create site specific public art projects in places important to Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk) people. Projects explore the past and present relationship of Hoocąk people to Teejop.
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AUGUST 1 - NOVEMBER 1, 2026
Opening Celebration
Sunday, August 9 • 2:00pm – 4:00pm
UW–Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Highway, Madison
Indigenous People’s Day Celebration
Thursday, October 8 • 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Madison Children’s Museum • 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison
Closing Celebration
Thursday, November 6 • 5:00pm – 7:00pm
The Stream Art Building • Edgewood University 1000 Edgewood College Drive, Madison
SITES, THEMES, AND ARTISTS
CAPITOL SQUARE - RESISTANCE & REMOVALS
Our ancestors defied repeated removals and endured unimaginable hardships to ensure that we are still living in our homeland.
Chloris Lowe (Hoocąk), We Still Dance
MERRILL SPRINGS - WATER
Like our ancestors, we cherish and respect the springs, lakes, and rivers as living beings.
Gene Delcourt (Abenaki, French, and Filipino), Dugout at Merrill Spring
TENNEY PARK - VALUES
Our values of love and respect are interwoven in every aspect of our culture.
Christopher Sweet (Hoocąk / White Earth Ojibwe), Raising our Sisters
OLBRICH & HUDSON PARKS - MOUNDS
Teejop was once home to a flourishing community that created thousands of mounds, and we are the caretakers of those that remain.
June Whitehorse (Hoocąk), Greeting the Land
UW–MADISON ARBORETUM - LAND
This land is sacred. Its energy and abundance have sustained Wąąkšikra from time immemorial. It sings to our community and transforms all
who listen.
Melanie Tallmadge Sainz (Hoocąk) and Lightning the Earth New Rider (Hoocąk), Hazac Mąą Dakota Mace (Diné/Navajo Nation), Teejop
This project was generously funded by the Madison Community Foundation and is being administered by the Madison Arts Commission and the City of Madison.
Sites
LAKE MENDOTA
LAKE MONONA