MADISON - Wisconsin - page 121

10am-8pm Sat., noon-5pm Sun., free). The prominent gallery window is always attracting
the attention of passersby, most staring quizzically at the art or, occasionally, the perform-
ance artist trapped inside. The small galleries are interspersed through three floors of the
civic center complex and feature contemporary art—mostly paintings and some photo-
graphy. A good gift shop is here.
As State Street runs its final block and melds with the Library Mall, walk past the book-
store and a church and then bear left down a cul-de-sac. The Chazen Museum of Art
(800 University Ave., 608/263-2246, http://chazen.wisc.edu , 9am-5pm Tues., Wed., and
Fri., 9am-9pm Thurs., 11am-5pm Sat.-Sun., free) contains almost 16,000 holdings, the old-
estdatingfrom2300BC.Theopen,airymuseumfinishedoffamassive$43-millionrenov-
ation and expansion in 2011 and looks smashing. Its collections feature modern art in all its
forms, as well as ancient Egyptian and Greek porcelain, Roman coins, Japanese ceramics,
Indian figurines, Russian icons, early European and American art, and somewhat moody
Renaissance church art, among many other things.
MM University of Wisconsin-Madison Campus
Bascom Hill, on the other end of State Street, affords a view similar to the one from
the State Capitol rise. Crowning this is Bascom Hall, one of the original buildings of the
University of Wisconsin-Madison, established in 1848; the tiered hill is a favorite sack-
out spot for students between (or skipping) classes. From a handful of students and wild
animalsin1848,theuniversityhasgrownto1,000acresandmorethan50,000studentsand
faculty; it is a world-renowned institution and has always imbued the fabric of the commu-
nity to a larger extent than even the state government has.
The nucleus of campus is Memorial Union (800 Langdon St., 608/262-1331,
www.union.wisc.edu ) . Perched beside Lake Mendota, it's a must-stop for any visitor. Have
but one night in the Mad City? You'll never forget relaxing by the lakeside on the Union
Terrace, sipping a refreshment in one of the legendary Union rays-of-the-sun metal chairs
as the sun lazily sets.