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Phoenix Rising Mural
 Have
you noticed the beautiful mural painted on the wall of 954-956 N. 27th
Street? The mural was conceived and sponsored by the building owner, Attorney
Charles J. Hausmann. Mr. Hausmann was born and raised in Milwaukee’s West End
on 38th and State Street. The mural designer and artist, Kate
Madigan, was trained at the University of San Francisco School of Art and is Mr.
Hausmann’s stepdaughter.
Mr.
Hausmann explains that the mural is a depiction of a phoenix arising from the
flames and ashes, which is representative of rebirth and rising again. The
backdrop of the mural represents buildings and homes in the West End which
proceed from left to right from some of the more depressed dilapidated buildings
to some of the more beautiful and unique housing in the area. As you progress
to the right in the mural, some of the more structurally beautiful landmark
churches and the Shrine Temple are portrayed showing some of Milwaukee’s premier
architecture in the West End area.
The
near west side area, was once down and depressed, but is now in an era of
rebirth and reconstruction. The progression in the cityscape on the top portion
of the mural depicts the evolution and hopefully the continued rebirth and
reconstruction of the area that was once Milwaukee’s gold coast. The sky in the
mural goes from dark red to bright orange representative of brighter, happier
days as we progress through rising-uplifting times of rebirth and regeneration
of our neighborhood and ourselves.
The
mural is dedicated to a neighborhood and all people who have been down,
depressed and troubled but through their own strength and ingenuity are rising
again – therefore the symbolism of the rising phoenix.
Description of mural: Charles Hausmann
Photograph: Theo Lipscomb
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