Events Calendar

Small Group Coaching:

Do you have a creative project you are working on and would like consistent and constructive feedback? Join creativity coach Angela Johnson for a small group biweekly, supportive coaching sessions. Topics will include group sharing, question prompts, suggested homework, time to work in session, and more.

Limited to 6 participants, meeting over five separate sessions. Each session is two hours and registrants should commit to attending all five. Session dates are Thursdays mornings: 10/26, 11/9, 11/30, 12/14, 12/28.

Registration required, opens Oct 12.

Instructor Bio:

Angela Johnson is a professional artist, creativity coach and educator based in Wisconsin. She earned a master’s in Art Education, an MA in Art and an MFA with a focus in photography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her work includes themes of nature, balance, and telling stories through individual and collective memories. She often incorporates scientific elements and concepts into her work. Collaborations with other artists and scientists  energizes her creativity.

Johnson is a fixture in the Wisconsin arts scene, with 20+ years of experience maintaining public art studios, teaching workshops, facilitating programs, leading public art installations and lecturing at universities. She has worked in museums, elementary schools, senior centers, colleges and universities. She has inspired and helped people of every age — from toddlers to 95-year-olds — reaching far into the depths of their imagination to discover and channel their creativity. She also teaches workshops on mindfulness and yoga.

Johnson is passionate about helping people unleash their creativity. “There’s an artist in everyone; you may just not have discovered yours yet,” she says.

Her motto: Visualize, Create, Inspire. 

This Creativity Coaching series is made possible by a generous donation to the Madison Public Library Foundation.

Join artist Amy Mietzel for hands-on art activities inspired by picture books! We'll start by doing a read-aloud of the book - then create art using unique materials and fun supplies. Additional books that fit the theme will also be available for caregivers and youth to read together and check-out. For ages 2-5. Siblings & groups welcome. 

Sept: Toadstools -- Mushroom Lullaby by Kenneth Kraegel

Oct: Building and Construction -- Bigger, Bigger by Leslie Patricelli

Nov: Cats -- 10 Cats by Emily Gravett 

Dec: Hats -- Very Good Hats by Emma Straub

In partnership with the City of Madison and Madison Public Library, the African Center for Community Development provides in-person assistance* to help offset housing costs by assisting residents with applications for services, jobs, and other financial benefits.

We provide help for people navigating application processes and filling out forms required for housing, immigration, food, health, and other community support services. For questions about the program, please call African Center at (608) 957-5623 or (608) 294-0066.

*Neither The African Center for Community Development nor Madison Public Library can provide legal assistance or advice.  We are not able to fill out applications on your behalf, or assess program eligibility. 

Come play in the children's area while local musician, Rin, plays a variety of songs on her fiddle and mandolin. This is informal music, meant to be enjoyed while playing, drawing, or reading in the children's area! ​For families/all ages.

Read the book and join the discussion of "The Personal Librarian" by Marie Benedict. New members always welcome!

"In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture in New York City society and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps create a world-class collection.

But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle’s complexion isn’t dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American.

The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives." -- Amazon.com

McCabe & Mrs. Miller

Directed by Robert Altman.  Performances by Warren Beatty, Julie Christie, Rene Auberjonais, John Schuck, William Devane, Bert Remsen. Warner Brothers, 1971, Drama / Western.  Rated R,  Drama / Western.121 min. Rated R.

Robert Altman's revisionist Western about a gambler and a prostitute who go into business together running a bordello and tavern in a Northwest mining town, but soon, a big corporation moves in and threatens their success. Julie Christie was nominated for Best Actress as Mrs. Miller.

Visit the Dream Bus to browse books and other library materials, place or pick up holds, and sign up for a library card.

Learn more at dreambus.org

Play Minecraft in both creative and survival worlds! Ability to use a computer keyboard and mouse required. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

The Madison Writing Assistance (MWA) program offers free, one-to-one writing support for community members at library branches throughout the city. Our friendly, experienced writing coaches are happy to help with writing projects across a wide range of genres, including resumes, cover letters, application essays, grant proposals, fiction writing, memoirs, and more.

Schedule an appointment online with the link below, by phone, or in person.

MWA services are made possible through generous donations from the Evjue Foundation and UW Anonymous Fund, along with administrative and program support from the UW-Madison English Department, the UW-Madison Writing Center, and our Library and neighborhood center partners.

Visit the Dream Bus to browse books and other library materials, place or pick up holds, and sign up for a library card.

Learn more at dreambus.org

The Madison Writing Assistance (MWA) program offers free, one-to-one writing support for community members at library branches throughout the city. Our friendly, experienced writing coaches are happy to help with writing projects across a wide range of genres, including resumes, cover letters, application essays, grant proposals, fiction writing, memoirs, and more.

Schedule an appointment online with the link below, by phone, or in person.

MWA services are made possible through generous donations from the Evjue Foundation and UW Anonymous Fund, along with administrative and program support from the UW-Madison English Department, the UW-Madison Writing Center, and our Library and neighborhood center partners.

The Madison Writing Assistance (MWA) program offers free, one-to-one writing support for community members at library branches throughout the city. Our friendly, experienced writing coaches are happy to help with writing projects across a wide range of genres, including resumes, cover letters, application essays, grant proposals, fiction writing, memoirs, and more.

Schedule an appointment online with the link below, by phone, or in person.

MWA services are made possible through generous donations from the Evjue Foundation and UW Anonymous Fund, along with administrative and program support from the UW-Madison English Department, the UW-Madison Writing Center, and our Library and neighborhood center partners.

Presented by Pinney Studio Artist-in-Residence, Bernie of bernieandzuzu.com

Learn to gel print!  Supplies provided, simply bring your creativity.  Intended audience is age 16-99 (older teens and adults)

Register now! Space is limited to an attendance limit of 10.

Gathers most Thursday evenings! Middle and high school students can meet other aspiring authors, bounce ideas off one another, share their stories, and feel the creativity flow! Writing club is led by local author Carole Madrzak.

Bus Lines, a signature project of the Madison Poet Laureate program, was started in 2009 by then Poet Laureate Fabu. This program creates an opportunity for Madison residents to display their poems on Metro Transit buses and brings poetry before city residents in a creative way. Initially the program was open exclusively to high school students, but eventually it was opened up to all Madison Residents. Short poems are arranged into artful designs and displayed on busses that traverse Madison.

2023 Bus Lines

The City received 61 applications for the 2023 Bus Lines call for poetry, totaling 127 individual poems. Poet Laureate Angela Trudell Vasquez reviewed and selected 6 poems, and selected poets will be notified in early August. All poets are invited to attend this Bus Lines Poetry Reading and Reception on November 9th at 6:30 PM at Pinney library.

Once your knife skills have improved, your cooking will be more efficient and more delicious. Join Chef Paul for a demonstration on how to dice, julienne, and chiffonade vegetables and fruits. Chef Paul will also discuss how to choose, care for, and sharpen knives.

This program is for ages 13 and older; adult supervision required.

Limited space; registration is required. Registration will open at 10 AM two weeks prior to program date, on October 26. Please use the sign up link below or call (608) 246-4547 to register.

Presented in partnership with Willy Street Co-Op.

About the Presenter

Paul grew up in Taiwan surrounded by fresh hanging foods in the market, but he didn’t have an appreciation for Taiwanese or Chinese ingredients until attending culinary school in Chicago where he developed a love for cooking. After serving in many kitchens over the years, he wanted to share the skills he learned with others which led him to teach. He says about teaching, "Cooking and sharing what I have learned is my passion. Teaching a cooking class gives me a chance to share my knowledge about the differences and uniquenesses of foods that people overlook. I want to show people how to be respectful, creative, and economical about food. To feel delighted when they learn an easy cooking technique using just a couple of simple fresh ingredients. The food is the real star, we are just the facilitators."