The Bubbler at Madison Public Library

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The Bubbler at Madison Public Library

Madison Public Library's maker-focused program. Exhibitions, residencies, events, and workshops! Spam;
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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.

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09/02/2026

We're working on all the finishing touches today and looking forward to welcoming the artists, their families & friends and the public to Central Library for the opening of this incredible group exhibition by the Memory Collectors Storytelling Project of Ironer's Press / Creators Cottage.

Recollections: The Stories That Stay opens tomorrow (9/3) from 4:00-6:00pm and we'd love if you stopped in. A brief presentation will begin at 5:30pm.

Photo credit to the wonderful Jim Escalante, who came by yesterday to photograph each piece in the show.

This show is supported by the Madison Public Library Foundation

https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/check-it-out/recollection-stories-stay-exhibition

08/31/2026

New yard sign, library loading...
If you've started to notice these new yard signs pop up in neighborhoods on the north and east sides of town you have artist Jinx King .mixed to praise for the bright colors and joyful illustrations catching your eye.

Here's a peek into their process when collaborating with to create these special signs for library lovers, neighbors and local businesses around the area of our newest library, the Imagination Center Library in Reindahl Park opening Friday, Sept 25 from 3-8pm!

Jinx King (they/she) is the brains and muscle behind the Hijinx you see before you! Using humor, Jinx's art aims to accessibly explore topics like humanity's impact on the planet, loneliness and community. Navigating the world as a mixed race q***r artist, they hope to encourage community, solidarity, and resistance in today's day to day landscape.

Hot Tip: If you'd like a free Imagination Center Library yard sign to show off to all your neighbors, we know there will be a batch distributed at the Commercial Ave Bazaar hosted by Roundhouse Studios on Saturday, Sept 5 from 12 - 7pm. Go! Support artists! Support all your favorite neighborhood spots! Leave with a yard sign! Love your library!

08/29/2026

Sometimes you meet an artist through their work long before you ever meet them in person. You dig into their body of work, read the interviews and articles that feature them, and follow along with every new project or client they share online. For us, Terrence Adeyanju who also goes by PEELD was one of those artists. We loved his illustrations and prints and crossed paths with him here and there at art events over the years. We knew we really wanted to work with him someday, but we also needed to let the timing work itself out — and we knew better than to force something just because we were inspired.

Well, the moment has finally come, and we’re so elated to share that Terrence will be the artist behind the inaugural exhibition at the new Imagination Center Library!

When the doors open to the public next month, you’ll be able to experience his solo show, New Growth, running from opening day, Friday, Sept. 25, 2026 through Sunday, Feb. 28, 2027.

This body of work includes new pieces Terrence has been working on specifically for the . More generally, he is a visual artist, muralist, and designer based here in Madison, WI. His work is inspired by existentialism, identity, and our cosmic connection to nature. Terrence is heavily influenced by symbolism, vintage matchboxes, and Manga, which he uses as tools to explore his visual identity.

And a MAJOR BONUS POINT FOR US: we’ve grown to learn that Terrence is more than familiar with the site of our new library. He grew up nearby and spent time over the years at Reindahl Park with family and friends. A few weeks back, when he did a site visit, he shared some of the memories that were surfacing for him as he spent time in the space. This connection feels especially meaningful to us.

STORIES ON STORIES ON STORIES.

08/26/2026

QUILTS ARE AFOOT! Installation is in progress this week at Central Library, with lots of helping hands bringing this special exhibition to life. We’re honored to host Recollection: The Stories That Stay, by The Memory Collectors Storytelling Project: Fighting Alzheimer’s with Art.

This incredible group has grown in partnership with for more than three years, and all of the artists are so excited to share this moment with you. For some, this will be their first exhibition ever!

COME CELEBRATE WITH US next Thursday, September 3, from 4:00–6:00 PM on the 3rd floor of Central Library. We’ll be rejoicing, sharing stories, and celebrating the artists and the memories they've spent hours stitching into these pieces, including the full collection of 30 Legacy Quilts, each one done by a different member in the group and in collaboration with artist Alicia Rheal who painted the portraits featured in this impressive, deeply meaningful body of work.

Please stop by, show your support, and help us celebrate these amazing women in our community! This group of artists operates out of Creators Cottage, a maker space located in South Madison serving the educational and career development needs of artists and writers.

08/24/2026

The Madison Public Library Foundation is now accepting donations of art for the silent auction at this year’s Ex Libris fundraising event. In past years, many of these artist-gifted items have led to some friendly competition in the form of bidding wars in the 11th hour. (Our artits make the best stuff 😉). The silent auction is intentionally focused on offering one-of-a-kind, local items and experiences — especially those that reflect the creativity, curiosity, and community spirit of our library system.

Your artistic donation, big (like a woven wall tapestry!) or small (like a pack of stickers you designed), helps us raise funds for programs like the Bubbler and - more importantly - tells the story of the Bubbler, not just as a program, but as a community of creatives making things with their hands and their brains. 🧠 🙌 🤯

Fill out the form linked here if you're interested in supporting the library in this way.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSftm9lWDmYzQXd2nglzIyWS2moPrHBA4v3Ge-P67ms2Zxzsfg/viewform

08/22/2026

The Memory Collectors Storytelling Project, an intergenerational group of local artists, have been hard at work preparing for their first full group exhibition opening at Central Library on Thursday, September 3 titled Recollection: The Stories That Stay.

This group which launched in 2022 out of the Creators Cottage in Madison, centers their support around healthy aging among Black women by promoting brain health, reducing stress, and building social connections through creative activities like quilting and storytelling. Their program is free and open to people of all backgrounds, offering supplies, wellness resources, communal meals, and opportunities to connect with local health and community organizations.

The Bubbler has partnered with this group for the last 3 years and we really look forward to featuring work made by 30+ members in the Diane Endres Ballweg Gallery, especially the full collection of the Legacy Quilts, which include painted portraits done by the Creators Cottage Artist-in-Residence Alicia Rheal.

Consider stopping by the opening reception on Thursday, Sept 3 from 4:00-6:00pm to get all up in the details of these quilts and stories. The show will be up through January 31, 2027.

08/21/2026

There's a new kid in town... and they're realllllly cool! 😎 Come meet Madison's newest public library - The Imagination Center at Reindahl Park!!! YES, that's right! We're opening our 10th public library in the city of Madison in 35 days!!!!

Whether you're just hearing about this for the first time (don't worry, we LOVE a bandwagon fan) or you've been involved in helping make this dream a reality we'd love for you to celebrate with us!

✂️ ✂️ Ribbon Cutting ✂️ ✂️
Friday, Sept 25 from 3-8pm
➰Come for the giant scissors, stay for the hangs

🎉 🎉 Grand Opening Bash 🎉 🎉
Saturday, Sept 26 from 10am - 4pm
➰ Come for the new space (duh!) and stay for the art activities, nature walk, sweet new staff, bubbles (not promised, but there will probably be bubbles), and the energy that comes from a resource meant for everyone.

This new library is going to be something so special, so needed and --whoops! we buried the lead, it's in the middle of a public park! 🌳

The best way to keep up with all the excitement of the Imagination Center is through the Madison Public Library socials and website. In the coming weeks we will be sharing about a handful of selected artists who will be featured there when the doors open in September - can't wait! Madison Public Library Foundation City of Madison, Wisconsin Government Madison Parks Foundation

https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/check-it-out/opening-date-set-imagination-center-reindahl-park

08/13/2026

47 programs later..... The WE READ Bubbler Artist-In-Residence program returned for another summer in 2026, bringing local artists into libraries to lead interactive activities for children and families.
With more kiddos, parents, and caretakers utilizing our libraries over the summer months, we've got to CRANK UP THE ART!

This summer there were eight artists all of whom were matched with a library location and spent several weeks interacting, guiding, and working with kids on the art activities they planned.

Thanks to all the participants and artists who joined us this summer to make this program a reality! And a special thanks to the American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation for sponsoring the program, which allowed us to purchase new materials, pay artists for their time and expertise and deepen literacy for our young people eager to learn, express themselves and absorb endless stories!

Check out the full IMPACT story written by our AASPIRE Summer intern, Vanessa. https://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/about/impact/we-learn-through-art-we-read-bubbler-artist-residence-recap-2026

08/12/2026

Have you heard about the Teejop Community Art Project? It opened last week and will continue through the end of October and we're excited to explore it ourselves!

Seven Indigenous artists: Gene Delcourt, Lightning the Earth New Rider, Chloris Lowe, Dakota Mace, Melanie Tallmadge Sainz, Christopher Sweet, and June Whitehorse were commissioned to develop art installations that honor and illuminate the rich cultural history of Madison as part of the area known as Teejop (pronounced day-JOPE), which means Four Lakes. These pieces of public art engage with themes developed by Teejop-area Ho-Chunk community members who met for many years to carefully consider the locations and values included in this project.

These site-specific installations are the perfect invitation to get out explore this Fall! There are special dates where guides will be present at each site along with additional community events and celebrations. Visit the full site: teejop.org for all the details!

This project was generously funded by the Madison Community Foundation with additional support from the City of Madison, Wisconsin Government, the Evjue Foundation, Friends of the Madison Arts Commission, and American Family Insurance and is being administered by the Madison Arts Commission.

Address

201 W. Mifflin Street
Madison, WI
53703

Website

http://madisonbubbler.org/

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