Rain and sun beat down on Meg Mitchell’s latest artwork. And that’s a good thing.

Mitchell’s sculptural installation — nicknamed “Hops Exchange” — was erected in April in the rooftop sculpture garden at the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

Half a dozen towering, aluminum trellises designed by Mitchell were secured along an exterior wall of the building. By May, hops plants were starting their climb up each structure toward the sky.

It’s harvest time now, but “Hops Exchange” is designed to keep growing.