Imagination Center at Reindahl Park

A sculpture of a head composed of layered colors that form a passageway.
Image credit: Nate Page - The Passage of Being

Project Details

Imagination Center at Reindahl Park

About the Artist

For more than 15 years, Nate Page has created site-specific public artworks that respond to landscape, architecture, and community. His practice is rooted in the belief that art is inseparable from context, and he treats architecture, natural settings, and community engagement as materials to sculpt—shaping works that frame social connection while ensuring permanence in outdoor conditions. Recent commissions include works for the City of San Diego, Miami-Dade County, and Getty Pacific Standard Time. Nate received his BFA from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design and his MFA from CalArts. He was raised in Waukesha and attended Waukesha North High School.

About The Passage of Being

The Passage of Being has a two-sided presence. When seen from the Imagination Center, the front represents the strength of community opening a pathway toward nature. The community is represented by the layered planes of color, which are drawn from the national flags of prominent immigrant communities in Northeast Madison. On the reflective side, the sculpture opens outward, reflecting the surrounding park and its activity onto the library's architecture. The sculpture will measure approximately 16 feet high, 10 feet wide, and 30 inches deep. It will stand tall in the parkland immediately behind the Imagination Center.

 

Imagination Center Madison Public Library Page

Project Timeline

  1. Request for Qualifications

    RFQ resulted in 32 eligible applicants

  2. Finalists Selected

    Finalists selected by Madison Arts Commission

  3. Finalist Community Meeting

    The four finalists attended an in-person orientation and community meeting.

  4. Design Proposals Submitted

    Four finalists were selected and asked to submit design proposals.

    Inkrootby Cooke-Sasseville

    Sueños de Paloma (Dreams of Paloma)by Gabriela Marván, Flor Molina, & Ryan Rothweiler

    The Passage of Beingby Nate Page

    Silver Lining: Where Dreams Flowby Sujin Lim

  5. Public Survey Ends

    Survey closes with 1263 responses received

  6. Public Art Standing Committee Review

    Proposals and survey responses reviewed by committee members; proposals scored and sent to full Madison Arts Commission

  7. Madison Arts Commission Review

    Scores reviewed by Madison Arts Commission members and referred back to the Public Art Standing Committee for further discussion

  8. Additional Review

    Public Art Standing Committee reviews additional community output, sends recommended design to Madison Arts Commission

  9. Final Review and Approvals

    Design updates (if needed), Common Council review, contracting

  10. Fabrication

    Construction of the foundation and sculpture.

  11. Installation and Unveiling

Was this page helpful to you? * required