The Bubbler at Madison Public Library

The Bubbler at Madison Public Library Madison Public Library's maker-focused program. Exhibitions, residencies, events, and workshops! Spam;
2. Noticeably off topic;
3. Promoting illegal activity;
4.

Madison Public Library's maker-focused program, connecting artists to opportunities and the community to artists through free, hands-on learning, exhibitions, and community-wide events. The Bubbler is a hub that celebrates ideas and promotes community-wide creativity, curiosity, and connection.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Comment Policy

The Bubbler at Madison Public Libra

ry encourages posting and sharing of information related to the library, programs, and other events associated with the area. However, the Bubbler at Madison Public Library Facebook Fan Page is a monitored page, and any posting that violates the following points will be deleted from the wall.

1. Breaching copyright or trademark laws;
5. Promotion of political organization,
products, or personal information;

Have you heard of Madison artist Amadou Kromah?While he’s definitely Library-famous, he’s also a nationally recognized p...
05/27/2026

Have you heard of Madison artist Amadou Kromah?

While he’s definitely Library-famous, he’s also a nationally recognized photographer who began honing his craft at just 15 years old. Amadou has photographed icons like Boyz II Men, Earth, Wind & Fire, Patti LaBelle, and Wynton Marsalis! From portraits and fashion to travel, entertainment, and local events, his work centers authenticity and storytelling (which, as you know, we LOVE).

We first got to know Amadou as a South Side library kid and have had the pleasure of admiring his work and collaborating with him throughout much of his career (so far!). Over the years, Amadou has been a teen workshop facilitator, Bubbler artist-in-residence, and freelance event photographer helping us capture community family portraits, MPLF fundraising events, art exhibition openings, and so much more.

But tomorrow night, he won’t be behind the camera because he’s going to be the artist who's being celebrated!

Join in on the celebration from 6:30-8:30pm at Central Library as we open Preserving Art & Culture for a Decade, a solo exhibition we are beyond honored to share with you all!

Explore how sewing, quilting and fabric collage can help you move through challenging life experiences. As Jennifer Bas...
05/26/2026

Explore how sewing, quilting and fabric collage can help you move through challenging life experiences. As Jennifer Bastian embarks on the last leg of her residency at Thurber Park she is offering some soft and intentional spaces to connect and create together. Every offering is a bit different so dig in and treat yourself to some time stitching with Jennie, neighbors and friends alike!

Link in bio to read all the descriptions as well as links to register for the Color, Shape, Power Workshops (ages 16+).
__________________________________________
June 15, 22, 29:
Fabric Binds Us Drop-In Sessions at Pinney Library on Mondays, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

June 16 and July 7
Parks Alive! with Jennie joining at Worthington Park on Tuesdays from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm.

July 13, 20, or 27
Color, Shape, Power Workshops at Thurber Park, in the outdoor park pavilion on Mondays from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm. [REGISTRATION REQUIRED]

August 8
Tying Up Loose Ends: A Celebration at Thurber Park, in outdoor park pavilion from 9:30 am - 11:30 am

”When the event comes around each year it marks a tangible shift in season, it often feels like loads of artists coming ...
05/23/2026

”When the event comes around each year it marks a tangible shift in season, it often feels like loads of artists coming out of whatever version of winter hibernation they take part in -- with all of their brilliant, hilarious, devastating, and inspiring creations in hand, ready to share them with the world.”
-Carlee Latimer from Team Bubbler (MP&R co-organizer)

Last month thousands of handmade zines and prints came into the Central Library that were made by over 100 artists and went home with some of the 959 visitors who attended Madison Print & Resist Zinefest. A big thank you to all the artists and event-goers who braved the Dane County Farmers Market, Crazylegs Classic, AND Mifflin Street Block Party crowds to make their way downtown and up to the 3rd floor of Central Library for the event.

05/22/2026

Preserving Art & Culture for a Decade is a photo exhibition opening at Central Library. It showcases the creative journey of local photographer Amadou Kromah, whose work behind the lens has documented real people, emotions, community moments, and cultural experiences over the last ten years. Beginning his photography journey at just 15 years old (!!!), Amadou has developed an authentic visual style that highlights stories too often overlooked or unseen.

We've loved getting to work with Amadou over the years at Madison Public Library and simply can't wait for so many more people to discover him and his work while the show is on display at the library from May 28 - August 1.

Come see!! Join us on Thursday, May 28 from 6:30-8:30pm to celebrate Preserving Art & Culture for a Decade with Amadou himself! Stop into Central Library to hear directly from him, engage with the exhibition, and enjoy light refreshments with friends old and new.
Special thanks to the Madison Public Library Foundation who is supporting this event and helping make the exhibition possible.

05/07/2026

Nothing screams SUMMER IS COMING like the day the WE READ banner goes back up on the side of Central !

WE READ is an ongoing initiative at Madison Public Library focused on the joy of reading for all ages! Through our engaging programs and activities that happen both in libraries and out in the community, you and your family can participate year-round in the way that works best for you. And we sure love to ramp things up for our SUMMER season!

Whether you're attending youth storytimes, checking out books to read at home or on vacation, listening to selections on Libby, making art alongside the artist-in-residence at your local library branch, attending an author talk with the Wisconsin Book Festival, joining us out in the community at an outreach event -- or finding your own path to the joy of reading -- we know Madison Public Library kind of has it going on. So grateful that the Bubbler program and our artists have the chance to bring their expertise and passion to WE READ!

Check the library calendar and keep an eye out for many summer offerings being shared soon! ☀️

What pairs well with REAL CAKE? Obviously, Public Service Recognition Week + a zine full of stories!In celebration and ...
05/06/2026

What pairs well with REAL CAKE? Obviously, Public Service Recognition Week + a zine full of stories!

In celebration and gratitude, National Velvet's Tell Me A Cake Story zine was shared with all our library staff - as an appetizer to the REAL CAKES dropped off at all nine library locations! This zine, designed by the artist, features more than 100 cake stories shared by library patrons, the collection captures the magic of a yearlong residency with Madison Public Library in celebration of the sesquicentennial. It’s a real page-turner, here's a taste!

"I believe everyone has a zany uncle..."
"In real life the cake was for...my sister's boyfriend's brother, who I was told actually had just gotten out of jail..."
"My dad and I graduated at the same time..."
"This star pizza cake comes from outer space. It tastes like the galaxy..."
"Well before I came out I made a mess of my family's kitchen to make my best friend, who I was definitely not in love with, a rainbow Pokeball cake..."
"It was during a trip to Paris with Sean around Thanksgiving..."

We hope the zine makes staff 😂 laugh, makes them say “🥺 awww,” and reminds them of the deep, meaningful connections our spaces 🥰 (and the stories within them! 📚) offer to all kinds of people - all thanks to their commitment and care.

Comment below ⤵️ if you'd like to pick-up or peruse a copy at your library! Rumor has it we may have some extra copies on the menu... 😏🍽️ 🍰

05/04/2026

On the evening of Sunday, April 19th Teen Services Librarian Jesse Vieau left Central Library after working the Youth Services desk all day and zipped over to UW Madison campus to join director and filmmaker Jenifer McShane in a panel discussion following the viewing of her most recent project, The Quilters (currently available on Netflix!).

Other voices on the panel included Marina Moskowitz of the School of Human Ecology and Jennifer Bastian, the current Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence, who has also worked with us through the Making Justice Program.

The Quilters (2024) documentary follows the daily lives of several quilters inside the sewing room at South Central Correctional Center, a Level 5 maximum-security prison in a small town two hours south of St. Louis, MO. From design to completion, the men reveal their struggles, triumphs, and sense of pride in creating something beautiful in this windowless, sacred space deep within the prison walls.

had the opportunity to highlight over a decade of work happening within the local youth justice system. Through the Making Justice program, Bubbler artists provide teens with hands-on art experiences shaped by their own interests through the introduction of unique mediums and projects that help them learn new skills and tell their stories.

While the ages, locations and circumstances are quite different when comparing our program to the one featured within the film, pride and intention in creating something is a theme throughout the documentary, echoed in full by both Jesse and Jennie on the panel as well.

Jenifer's unique, self-taught approach to storytelling centers around amplifying the experiences of others in order to share an honest and impactful collective story. At many moments she expressed how important it is that libraries continue to resource individuals within spaces like the South Central Correctional Center. Before leaving town, Jesse was able to invite Jenifer into some of our partner sites to view past projects, like murals, created by Making Justice participants and artists.

There's another great exhibition at Lakeview Library this month!Join us tomorrow evening in celebrating Sean Welch's Pap...
05/03/2026

There's another great exhibition at Lakeview Library this month!
Join us tomorrow evening in celebrating Sean Welch's Paper Party, a vibrant exhibit of collages and mixed media work now on display in the Lakeview Library community rooms through the end of May.

Stop in for the artist reception on Monday, May 4 from 5:00 - 7:45pm (tomorrow!) you'll have the opportunity to meet Sean and hear more about his creative process... and if that's not enough of a reason there will be a brief screening of his film Night Trees --and snacks available!

Are you looking for something fun, creative, and a little bit magical to do this spring? Visit Hawthorne Library next Mo...
05/03/2026

Are you looking for something fun, creative, and a little bit magical to do this spring? Visit Hawthorne Library next Monday, May 4, from 4-5pm for a We Make art session.

During this relaxed, drop-in art session, participants will learn how to do sun prints. Sun prints are created by arranging objects onto special paper, and when exposed to sunlight, it creates a magical image!

No registration is needed; kids, teens, and caregivers are welcome. There's no cost; we'll provide all the necessary materials.

For more information or to request interpretation, translation, or accommodations, contact 608-246-4548 or [email protected].

CALL FOR THE NEXT ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE HERE!The City of Madison and the Madison Arts Commission are looking for the next ...
05/02/2026

CALL FOR THE NEXT ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE HERE!
The City of Madison and the Madison Arts Commission are looking for the next Thurber Park Artist-in-Residence. The artist will have access to a free studio space (including utilities but no WIFI) for 11-months, with the opportunity to extend the residency for another 12-months. The artist will receive a $7,800 stipend per year to cover costs associated with required community engagement activities.

The Bubbler at Madison Public Library has been instrumental in launching and nurturing this program since renovating the space, which began in 2018. As the City of Madison transitions ownership of Thurber Park from the Town of Blooming Grove, The Bubbler will be stepping back from our previous hands-on role in coordination with the resident artist and space.

BIG LOVE & APPRECIATION to the residents who have helped us learn and grow together in resourcing this as an artist and community asset.
Eric Adjetey Anang (2019-2022) coffin making and woodworking !
Ash Armenta (2022-2024) printmaking and a kite library !
Jennie Bastian (2024 - current) fabric installations and community sewing!

Sincerely, Eric, Ash, and Jennie - for this to space to exist is a miracle (they planned to tear it down or make it a storage shed originally) but to see what each of you have brought to this opportunity is next level. Each of your have made this space alive, despite it's quirks, our growing pains and the challenges we've stumbled into time and time again. Thank you for making this studio come alive from the ideas in your minds.

As the City of Madison looks ahead, this residency is evolving slightly with intentional shifts in structure and goals. We encourage artists to review the updated application and apply if it aligns with your practice!

Application deadline: May 7, 2026 at 2pm CST
https://www.cityofmadison.com/dpced/planning/arts/public-art/art-in-public-places-aipp/thurber-park-artist-in-residence

Address

201 W. Mifflin Street
Madison, WI
53703

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Bubbler at Madison Public Library posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to The Bubbler at Madison Public Library:

Shortcuts

Share

Category