Sharing the Load

Sharing the Load is a steel sculpture on Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee made up of geometric forms that interlock together. The work stands roughly 10 feet (3 meters) tall and occupies a prominent spot along the downtown sidewalk.

The sculpture was created in 1996 by artist Dan Leonhardt as part of a city program to revive downtown through public art. It marked a turning point in Milwaukee's efforts to integrate art objects into public spaces.

The sculpture reflects Milwaukee's working traditions and shows how communities come together through shared effort. Visitors can see this connection in the way the forms interact and support one another.

The piece sits directly on Wisconsin Avenue downtown and is free to view anytime. The best time to visit is during daytime when surrounding light helps you see the details of the steel structure clearly.

The sculpture creates an interesting optical effect: from different angles, the steel forms appear to shift and move differently. This makes each visit a different visual experience depending on where you walk around the piece.

Location: Milwaukee

Inception: 1996

Creator: Dan Leonhardt

Made from material: steel

GPS coordinates: 43.07095,-87.90078

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:22