Events and Programs

In the Galleries

Find out how you can display at the Central Gallery or view our upcoming displays:

Currently Showing

jorgenson flowers

Holly Jorgenson: A Counselor's View: See, Love, Try

Holly Jorgenson is both a psychotherapist and an artist. This show presents her visual work paired with several themes she offers to her clients. The images include landscape, portrait, floral still life and abstract designs, made of pastel, oil pastel, oil paint and charcoal. The themes most directly point to the importance of noticing in detail what's precious to each of us in the world, and especially in the people, around us. Perspective as a choice is another theme. Parallels will be drawn to the processes in art and in our lives, of identifying what we want--beyond what we don't want--and then making small, steady, courageous attempts toward change.

jorgenson buddha jorgenson man

June and July
Sequoya Branch

Larson

Kendra Larson: Paintings

"My paintings utilize imagery of the Willamette Valley in the Pacific Northwest and imagined scenarios. They illustrate my personal relationship to these landscapes as well as my interest in the forest’s role within the psyche." Read the artist's statement. Visit Kendra Larson's website.

May 1 - June 25
Alicia Ashman Branch

birds

Montage: The Art of Thursday's Artists

Thursday's Artists is a collective of lifelong, returning and new artists, teachers, exhibition jurors and students of art, city dwellers and country residents living and creating art in Dane County. The exhibit includes works in a variety of media including digital photography, watercolor, oil, acrylic, collage, printmaking, drawing, graphics, and fiber. More information about the group.

Join members of Thursday's Artists on Saturday, May 16 from 2 - 4 p.m. for a gallery reception; refreshments will be served.

pastels flowers pinks

Upcoming

July and August
Alicia Ashman Branch

Jackie in Hat

Portraits in Watercolor by Bernie Tennis

Join us for an exhibition of local artist Bernie Tennis' watercolor portraits. "Though I will draw and paint anything, my favorite subject has always been people. My most serious work is done in watercolor. I enjoy the immediacy and vibrancy (and unpredictability!) of the medium and the way colors can interact without compromising their individuality." Read the full artist's statement.

Sally John in Beret

July
Central Library

bonnie

"The Four Painters": C.K. Chang, Bonnie Johnson, Donna Miller, and David Scheifel

An exhibit of realist landscape, figure, and still life paintings in oil and acrylic. "Formal experimentation with color is probably the strongest common bond we have with each other. ... The thread that pulls and holds us together is our love of color and of realist painting." Read the full artists statement.

dave donna

Past Exhibits Include:


Some Previous Exhibits: November 1-30, 2007, Central Library. Roland Torres: Arcatao Through My Eyes October 5-30, 2007, Central Library. S.V. Medaris presents: "The Whole Hog." September 3 to October 26, 2007, Alicia Ashman Branch: Tamlyn Akins: In Grandpa's Woods June 2007, Central Library: Anne Connor: Driftless in Wisconsin. June 2007, Pinney Branch: Origami by Children. (To Have and To Fold: Madison Students Leave An Impressive Paper Trail In An International Origami Exhibit) January 2008, Central Library: Scott Rice: The Last Days of 49 (see photos on our Flickr account) January - Feburary 2008, Alicia Ashman Branch: BLUE: The Artwork of Laura Anderton February 2008, Central Library: Ellen M. Siebers: New Paintings and Drawings March 2008, Central Library: Luke Magalsky: Recent Works	Other Local Arts Organizations:
May Central Branch	May Is Mental Health Awareness Month: Consumer Art Exhibit Presented by Cornucopia Arts, Inc.,an arts and wellness center run for and by people with mental health issues and their allies. Join us for a closing reception on Saturday, May 30th, 12 - 2 p.m.
March - April Sequoya Branch	"Journey to Her Self": Laurel Schwartz “Journey to Her Self” is a series of acrylic paintingsdepicting a healing journey…the liberation from oppression and memories of childhood sexual molestation. Laurel began painting spontaneously, with no formal art training and refers to her process as “painting from the emptiness.” Read the artist's statement or visit her website. Join the artist on Thursday, April 23, 7:00 - 8:45 p.m. at the Sequoya Branch to hear about her healing journey, and the amazing, spontaneous arrival of her paintings.
March - April Alicia Ashman Branch	Gathering: Recent Work by Tom Linfield "I spent a large part of my life living in Europe, sketching stone circles and cairns, visiting cathedrals, and living in a medieval village called Cordes, in the south of France. I'm fascinated by the beauty and potency of these ancient, sacred stone formations and the imagery continues to inform my work. This exhibition features three concurrent series: ink drawings of stone formations, oil pastels of Dane County Farmer's market produce, and glass mosaic boxes. The work explores such common themes as memory, balance, and fragmentation" - Tom Linfield, from the artist's statement. Join us for three artist events to celebrate this exhibit. Come for the artist's reception on Thursday, March 5 at 6:00 p.m., when Linfield will be presenting a slide show and speaking on his work, and stay for the opening reception from 7 - 9 p.m. Linfield will be presenting the same talk on Wednesday, April 1 at 12 p.m. On Saturday, March 21 from 12 - 4 p.m., Linfield will be in the library making art, demonstrating technique, and answering questions for visitors to the exhibit. Learn about different materials, from oil pastel to gold leaf, look at sketchbooks, and see how a piece moves from blank paper to finished image. Notecards created by the artist will also be available for purchase for the duration of the exhibit. $10.00 for 5 cards or $2.50 per card. The Madison Community Foundation has donated $25,000 to enhance our collection. Help donate even more by purchasing these beautiful and unique note cards. Checks can be made payable to the Madison Public Library Foundation. View a virtual display of works from the exhibit on Flickr. For more information about the artist, view his art resume and visit his website.
April Lakeview Branch	We Love Birds An art exhibit presented by the elders residing at the Skaalen Sunset Home in Stoughton.
April Central Branch	Lenny Black: 'From Alaska to Yorkshire (and Points in Between), 2007-2008.' "Since retiring three years ago, I've been fortunate to travel to some places which I've been thinking about for quite some time: Big Bend National Park, in west Texas; the Scottish Highlands; Alaska; and northern England. The photos I'm displaying (shot with a Canon S2 IS and S5 IS) are a record of these trips. I'd like to acknowledge the encouragement of my photographic endeavors provided by two friends, Jim and Liz." Lenny Black
March Central Branch	Michael Velliquette: Deux Ex Machina Michael Velliquette exhibits a new body of drawings and works on paper that explore the relationship between being and emotion. A sense of raw psychedelia emerges in these works out of the co-mingling of abstract figuration, transcendental themes, and patterning. See more information about the artist and his works.
February Central Branch	Work & Life Story of M.K. Ciurlionis Madison Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc., (MVSC) presents an exhibit on Lithuania’s most famous visual artist and composer, Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis. (pronounced, Chiur-LIO-nis). These works are primarily posters from Europe advertising his many exhibits and feature his imaginative paintings. Alfred Senn, University of Wisconsin emeritus professor who specialized in East European History, will present a brief talk on the life of Ciurlionis during MVSC’s Lithuanian Independence Day’s celebration held in conjunction with the exhibit on February 23 at 6:30pm at the Central Branch. Professor Senn coauthored the book Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis: Music of the Spheres. Lithuanian refreshments will be served.
January 5 - February 28 Alicia Ashman Branch	"Journey to Her Self": Laurel Schwartz “Journey to Her Self” is a series of acrylic paintings created in devotion to healing and self discovery; an eclectic mix of images ranging from abstract to the familiar. Read the artist's statement or visit her website.
January Central Branch	Madison Public Library Staff Art Show In January the Madison Public Library presents artwork from staff. A wide variety of work including painting, photography, weaving, quilting, and collage will be included in this show.
December 1 - January 3 Pinney Branch	People, Places, and Things: An Exhibition of Paintings Works by Joan Canto, Mary Diman, Tom Gilbert and Ching Kung. Meet the artists reception on December 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Pinney Branch, with refreshments and live music: Dave Foss on hammered dulcimer from 1 - 2, and Turner Collins on Celtic harp from 2 - 3.
December Central Branch	Alicia Rheal: Anatomy of a Mural, or ... "So How Do You Do That, Anyway?" Alicia Rheal will be presenting an informative exhibit, illustrating the process of mural design and painting. Large scale canvas paintings will demonstrate different painting styles and techniques. Examples of "rough sketches" will show how an idea is developed and how it often changes during the design process. Join us for an opening night reception on Thursday, Dec. 4, 5:30-8:30 pm.
December 1 - January 3 Pinney Branch	An Encore Exhibit: Painted Carvings by Harold Blossom Back by popular demand! A solo show of painted carvings by Harold Blossom, created from industrial styrofoam. Smith takes inspiration for his pieces from Norman Rockwell's artwork. See photographs of the collection. Read an article about the first show from May of 2008 from the Wisconsin State Journal: Styro-scenes complement Rockwell's work (Gayle Worland).
November - December Lakeview Branch	A Cherokee Marsh Exhibit Sponsored by the Northside Artist's Group and Friends of Cherokee Marsh, a display of artworks and environmental information concerning the Cherokee Marsh. Join us for an opening reception, Saturday, November 15, 1 - 3 p.m. at the Lakeview Branch.
November - December Alicia Ashman Branch	Jane Varda: Plein Air Oils and Pastels Local artist Jane Varda displays plein air oils and pastels consisting mainly of landscape, figure, and still life works. Read the artist's statement.
November Central Branch	"Two for the Road": John Ribble and Chris Gargan "We are both dedicated to painting exclusively 'en plein air' (on location), not in the studio. We both work on the side of rural roads in Dane, Iowa and Green counties, sometimes together. Chris works in oils and I work in pastels. We both believe that there is a freshness and veracity in working right on location and we've found that people respond to these images of rural Wisconsin with familiarity and enthusiasm." - John Ribble Join us for an opening reception, Thursday, November 6, 6 - 9 p.m. at the Central Library.
October 3 - 31 Central Branch	Seasons on the Farm. S.V. Medaris returns to the library's gallery space along with fellow artists Audrey Christie and Alicia Rheal as they print, sew and paint the "Seasons on the Farm." Hand-colored woodcut prints from Christie, feedbag quilts from Rheal, and paintings/pastels from Medaris celebrate life on the farm throughout the year. Opening reception on Gallery Night, Friday, October 3, 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.
September - October Alicia Ashman Branch	Two exhibits: Sherry Bahr and The Polish Heritage Club of Wisconsin. "this is me, sherry bahr. madison,wisconsin these last 11 years. this is my art.... these glimpses caught by my camera are nothing you don't see too. and maybe as you look at these canvases you'll "recognize" something... kind of like "that feels familiar". maybe just a feeling." adapted from Sherry's full artist statement. Contemporary Exhibit of Polish Art Glass Unique imported hand formed and mouth blown glass double thick walled vases from Tarnowiec, Poland. See more information about the history and art of glass blowing, and the exhibit.
September Central Branch	The Closer One Looks; The Further One Sees: Natural Forms on Canvas by Debra Bushy "Look closer, the artwork I have created is meant to be seen with different eyes. Be creative, sensitive, and see their uniqueness. Discover new meanings with my mystic paintings. They show everything in the universe can exist with duality." - Debra Bushy
August - September Pinney Branch	Arts Immersion Group Exhibit Ninety-three works created by the members of Arts Immersion, including found object works, mixed media, pastels, painting, drawing, and computer-influenced works. Read the Arts Immersion Description of Group Evolution and Purpose.
August Central Library	Dave and Margaret Peterson. Life in Rural Northern Vietnam. Dave and Margaret Peterson have been active amateur photographers for many years, specializing in travel, nature and landscape subjects. Their show "Life in Rural Northern Vietnam" will contain photos of three areas of Vietnam taken in January of 2007. These photos capture the lives of rural folks in Halong Bay, the Red River delta, and the Highlands. Read the artists' statement.
June 16 - August 30 Alicia Ashman Branch	Out of the Dark: Mezzotints and Color Prints by Jayne Reid Jackson A solo exhibit of Jayne Reid Jackson's mezzotints and color prints showcases her varied printmaking styles. Her still life images utilize everyday objects, and often include glass and organic forms. Visit the artist's website. Artist's Statement: As someone whose artistic expression is firmly based in drawing, I find that printmaking, especially intaglio, provides me with the widest range of tools for my needs. I can be precise and controlled in my etchings and mezzotints, concentrating on the graphic quality of these techniques. To compliment these, the monotypes are more fluid, allowing the brushwork and color to define the image.
July Central Library	Dan Herr. Prints, Drawings, and Reliefs. Over the years, Dan Herr has produced consistently engaging work. A master craftsman, he creates fantastical worlds and mythical tales in his prints, drawings, and reliefs. His work verges on fairy tale, and the finely honed details in each piece summon up narratives that reveal themselves line by line and yet retain a mysterious depth. In this show, Herr will present intaglio and relief prints, pen, brush, and ink drawings and reliefs in wood. His sense of wonder and unending imagination infuses this truly original group of works. View images from the exhibit.
June Central Library	Posters of Soviet Occupied Lithuania, 1940-1990 The exhibit will consist of posters created in Lithuania during the years of Soviet occupation. While the imagery and style of posters created to propagandize Communist ideology are standard among the many nations it controlled, Soviet Lithuanian art stood out as unique, and somewhat revolutionary, showing one way in which this tiny nation was able to retain its identity even under strong political duress. It is but one example of a society and the individual maintaining dignity and self-awareness despite being part of a totalitarian regime and lends to an understanding of present day independent Lithuania. This exhibit is made possible by the Madison Sister Cities, Inc. membership and the Annual Sister Cities Grant from the city of Madison.
March - June Alicia Ashman Branch	Hanging by a Thread: Artist Craig Wilson displays kite aerial photography of Wisconsin Celebrated photographer Craig Wilson captures amazing and beautiful images with cameras attached to kites. The low aerial perspective offered in Wilson's photographs is fascinating: familiar locations and subjects look entirely different when captured through a camera hanging from a kite string! Wilson's kite aerial images have been displayed at galleries and art museums around the world. Join him on Saturday, March 29 at 1 p.m. for a presentation and conversation about his book, Hanging by a Thread: A Kite's View of Wisconsin.
May - June Pinney Branch	Painted Carvings by Harold Blossom A solo show of painted carvings by Harold Blossom, created from industrial styrofoam, during the month of May. Smith takes inspiration for his pieces from Norman Rockwell's artwork. See photographs of the collection. The exhibit, originally scheduled to end May 31, was extended due to this nice article in the Wisconsin State Journal, Styro-scenes complement Rockwell's work (Gayle Worland, May 30).
May Central Library	Local Landscapes: Watercolor paintings by Dave Smith. A solo show of watercolor paintings by Dave Smith during the month of May. Smith makes plain-air and pseudo-photographic renderings of the woods, lakes, and streams in and around Madison and the Baraboo hills. Each painting will be accompianied by a short description about its production and location.
April Central Library "Wisconsin Landscape" by 2007 Winner Amber Pirus of LaFollette High School	Student Congressional Arts Exhibit. This annual competition, sponsored by Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin, is open to high school art students in the 2nd congressional district of Wisconsin. The winning artist's piece will hang for a year in the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. Winners will be announced at a reception for all the artists, their parents, and teachers on April 28 at 7 PM at the library. The Congressional Arts Competition was created in 1981 to showcase and promote the artistic work of talented high school artists from around the nation. It was created by Members of Congress who objected to Reagan administration cuts to funding for the arts and has continued to this day as a national competition. Read the official press release. (left to right: 2007 Winners, Jordan Lentz (3rd place), MacKenzie Heinrichs (2nd place), U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, Amber Pirus (1st place)

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