Public Art
Murals
The Paint on Port (POP) Mural Program was a three-year public art project that added 13 murals to Port Washington from 2023 to 2025.
Launched by Port Washington Main Street in collaboration with the City of Port Washington, the program aimed to add vibrancy, connect the community, and tell the story of Port Washington through art.
Guided by Program Manager Eileen Grace and a dedicated committee* of community volunteers, POP began in 2023 with the installation of the Midwest Mural Mosaic on the north wall of Twisted Willow. Over three years, the program grew to include murals in a variety of media, created by artists ranging from local talent to internationally recognized muralists.
Launched by Port Washington Main Street in collaboration with the City of Port Washington, the program aimed to add vibrancy, connect the community, and tell the story of Port Washington through art.
Guided by Program Manager Eileen Grace and a dedicated committee* of community volunteers, POP began in 2023 with the installation of the Midwest Mural Mosaic on the north wall of Twisted Willow. Over three years, the program grew to include murals in a variety of media, created by artists ranging from local talent to internationally recognized muralists.
Each year highlighted a different theme celebrating Port Washington: flora and fauna, the shores of Lake Michigan, and the city’s rich history—woven together to share why we cherish living here.
A hallmark of the program was the inclusion of annual community murals, designed to invite participation from residents of all ages and backgrounds. These projects included:
The City of Port Washington honored the Paint on Port Mural Program with a 2025 Key to the City for Community Leadership.
- Adults with disabilities from Balance, Inc. and Prime Horizon
- Students from every school in the district
- Members of the Harbor Campus, Port Washington Adult Community Center and the Port Washington community at large who wanted to be part of this creative legacy.
The City of Port Washington honored the Paint on Port Mural Program with a 2025 Key to the City for Community Leadership.
Video Credit: Dale Palecek
* Paint on Port Committee: Nick Ansay, Wendy Braam, Judy Cotter, Katie Feyereisen Eileen Grace (Program Manager), Missy Hockerman, Mandi Huff, Sherri Kultgen, Elizabeth MacCrimmon, Rodrigo Santamaria, Pam Strohl, Kathleen Schilz, Kristina Tadeo
Interactive Mural Map
Mural Pages
- Branching Out
- Take Flight
- Midwest Mural Mosaic
- We All Come to the Water For Some Reason or Another
- Freedom Is the Natural Right for Every Being
- Roots & Reflections
- Tribute to Port Washington's Maritime History
- 1929 Theater Mural
- Pages of Port Washington
- Ode to the Fisherman
- Wildflower Report
- Ode to Shirley Schanen Gruen and Her Love of Port Washington
- The People's Wall
Sculptures
"The Gathering"
Location: Heart of the Harbor plaza, along the Interurban trail
Description: "The Gathering" is a 12-foot tall brass fire sculpture located in the Heart of the Harbor plaza in downtown Port Washington, Wisconsin, created by local artist Jesse Meyer as part of the Heart of the Harbor project. The sculpture features a gas flame inside, designed to be a central gathering spot for community members.
Description: "The Gathering" is a 12-foot tall brass fire sculpture located in the Heart of the Harbor plaza in downtown Port Washington, Wisconsin, created by local artist Jesse Meyer as part of the Heart of the Harbor project. The sculpture features a gas flame inside, designed to be a central gathering spot for community members.
"The Fifth Day"
Location: Harborview Corner (corner of East Grand Avenue and North Franklin Street)
Description: From artist Renata Commare, Port Washington High School student:
"The Fifth Day" is about bravery, strength, courage, perseverance and the choice to fly free. When I was seven years old, I was attacked by a dog that almost put an end to my life, but with God at my side, I beat all odds. After 400 stitches, multiple surgeries, a new tear duct, dental work, a lopsided smile, tears of frustration, and hours and hours of counseling with a therapy dog, I am fueled by acceptance, am stronger than ever, and choose to fly free. Spread your wings and believe in yourself, for anything is possible with faith.
Description: From artist Renata Commare, Port Washington High School student:
"The Fifth Day" is about bravery, strength, courage, perseverance and the choice to fly free. When I was seven years old, I was attacked by a dog that almost put an end to my life, but with God at my side, I beat all odds. After 400 stitches, multiple surgeries, a new tear duct, dental work, a lopsided smile, tears of frustration, and hours and hours of counseling with a therapy dog, I am fueled by acceptance, am stronger than ever, and choose to fly free. Spread your wings and believe in yourself, for anything is possible with faith.
"The Fisherman"
Location: Rotary Park
Description: A bronze statue of a fisherman carrying a sturgeon over his shoulder, symbolizing the strength and tradition of generations past. Surrounding the statue are eight interpretive displays that explore Port Washington’s maritime heritage—from the names of local fishermen and their boats, to lives lost in Lake Michigan, the evolution of the lakefront, and the art of commercial fishing.
Description: A bronze statue of a fisherman carrying a sturgeon over his shoulder, symbolizing the strength and tradition of generations past. Surrounding the statue are eight interpretive displays that explore Port Washington’s maritime heritage—from the names of local fishermen and their boats, to lives lost in Lake Michigan, the evolution of the lakefront, and the art of commercial fishing.
