With its overgrown lawn and deteriorating roof, the white, wood-sided house in the shadow of Madison Kipp Corp. on Madisonâ??s East Side looks like any other dilapidated property ripe for a visit from city building inspectors. But peek around the front porch to the backyard and you realize this is not your typical eyesore. The house itself, according to the few who have been inside, is full of drawings, paintings and sculpture of unknown value. Amateur artist Sid Boyumâ??s home at 237 Waubesa St. has been largely unlived in since Boyum died 1991 and his son Steve took ownership. Now Steve has died and the future of the property â?? which local art experts say is a valuable example of â??outsiderâ? art â?? is uncertain. â??It would be just the worst shame if we lost this in Madison,â? said Teri Marche, an associate professor of art education at UW-Madison who teaches a class that includes a visit to Boyumâ??s home. â??We lose this art and itâ??s part of our culture. Itâ??s part of our place. And itâ??s definitely part of a quirkiness that is Wisconsin.â?
Office of Strategic Communication