New mural unveiled on East Johnson Street celebrates Wisconsin cheese

After debuting last year, the Art of Cheese Festival returns to Madison from Sept. 25 to 28. The schedule is packed with dairy-themed events to celebrate Wisconsin’s many artisan cheeses, including the unveiling of a new mural at 1902 E. Johnson St.

The mural, painted by Melanie Sartori ( whose work was previously featured in the May issue of Madison Magazine ), depicts a table full of Wisconsin cheeses in a lush prairie landscape. It was unveiled officially on Sept. 28 during Cheese Fair Off the Square.

On National Cheese Lover’s Day (Jan. 20), Wisconsin Cheese announced the Wisconsin Cheese Dreams Contest — an opportunity for turophiles around the country to submit their “cheese dream.” More than 100 entries were received, and in March, Sartori was announced as one of the winners.

“When I got the email, I couldn’t believe it,” says Sartori, who wished to paint an original cheese mural. “It was so exciting, and the whole process has been a really positive experience.”

(We would be remiss to exclude some of the other winning cheese-themed dreams , including a soon-to-be-bride from D.C. who requested a bachelorette party thrown by Wisconsin Cheese and another bride who dreamed of a carriage made of cheese for her big day.)

Sartori’s piece was inspired both by a visit to Wisconsin Cheese headquarters — where she saw a photo on the wall of a conference room of a vintage table piled with artisan cheeses — and her own appreciation for the Driftless landscape.

Her piece also includes a few Easter eggs: “I have this weird talent for finding four leaf clovers, so I wanted to hide some in there,” says Sartori. One of the cheese wheels looks like Roelli Cheese Haus’ Red Rock, which she admits is a favorite of hers.

Sartori painted her first professional mural for Zoe Bayliss Student Housing Cooperative on Langdon Street in October 2023. Since then, she’s also completed murals in two private residences and in the nursing room at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital.

“I’m in my first year of being a full-time artist, so projects like this are really exciting,” says Sartori. The self-taught artist was born blind in one eye, and experienced facial paralysis at 5 years old. Both conditions encouraged her passion for art.

“As a kid, I always wanted to draw and paint in class and use that as a form of communication,” says Sartori. “It’s been a healing tool for my whole life, and now it’s something I’ve been able to turn into my career.”

Anna Kottakis is digital editor at Madison Magazine.

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