New Public Artist Will Address Safe Housing Out of Old Firehouse

Sarah Luther. Photo by Grace Fuhr.

Can art help the city solve problems through dramatic representation of them? Can it change behavior with powerful visual messaging?

That’s the thinking of the Milwaukee Arts Board, chaired by Alderwoman Milele Coggs, when it developed, approved and launched the city’s first public artist in residence (PAIR) program in partnership with the Department of City Development.

After a successful pilot, which ended in 2024, the PAIR program announced its second iteration on Sept. 30 with the naming of its 2026-27 artist in residence, Sarah Luther.

At its core, the PAIR program aims to confront complex civic challenges with public art and creative thinking. It approaches that goal by offering a local artist a funded residency within a City of Milwaukee agency or department.

“PAIR not only brings awareness to [challenges], it positions artistic exploration as a means of empowering communities and individuals,” reads a statement from the arts board.

In its pilot, artist Sarah Davitt was named the artist in residence, and the Department of Public Works (DPW) was named program partner. Together, the DPW and Davitt were tasked with raising “awareness around the dangers of reckless driving and creating a culture where lives are valued and safe driving is the responsibility of everyone.” The budget was $93,000 and was funded by the DPW, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation Grant Fund and unspent public art funds.

The result: Davitt created “The Moving City: Art Car,” a modified Ford Ranger covered in neon pink and yellow traffic cones and written messages about safe driving. “The Moving City” was unveiled at City Hall in August 2024 and, in 2025, was adopted by the Department of Administration‘s Vision Zero, a project that aims to place the number of Milwaukee traffic deaths at zero by 2037.

In light of Mayor Cavalier Johnson‘s designation of 2026 as Milwaukee’s Year of Housing, the program’s second artist in residence, Sarah Luther, will focus on safe housing in partnership with the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD).

“The next phase of [PAIR] reflects safe, stable housing as the foundation for strong neighborhoods and a thriving city,” Mayor Johnson said in the statement from the arts board.

The MFD will provide Luther a makerspace within Engine House 25, an inactive firehouse located at 300 S. 84th St. that shuttered in 2018 due to budget constraints. In the statement, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski said, “All firehouses will support the PAIR team’s creative ideas to engage neighborhoods as the program evolves.”

“The barriers to safe and healthy housing look different throughout Milwaukee. Using neighborhood fire stations as a hub for connection provides an opportunity to explore housing at a hyperlocal level,” Luther said in the statement.

Luther’s personal website highlights her experience in public art projects. Examples of her illustrations, drawings and exhibitions reveal her interest in sketch-like works, eco-narratives and mapmaking, though Milwaukee will have to wait to see what she creates as the program’s artist in residence.

Luther and MFD are currently in the project’s first stage, during which Luther will learn about MFD and conduct field research. Stage two will activate public participation by bringing the project into Milwaukee’s communities. Information on stages three and four will come later.

“I look forward to learning from communities and working to create space for people to come together, ask questions, and imagine possibilities that might not emerge through traditional conversations,” Luther said.

To date, $90,000 has been allocated to the program’s budget. Paul Druecke, who conducted an evaluation report of the program’s pilot, was named the program’s residency liaison.

Luther will share information and blog about her process on PAIR’s website. Her residency officially began July 1.

“The Moving City” by past PAIR program artist in residence Sarah Davitt. Photo by Jeramey Jannene.

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