Check It Out

Madison Mural Alley is officially open for visitors! All are welcome to pop behind Hawthorne Library to see Madison's first collection of large-scale outdoor murals created by multiple artists and teen groups. 

Murals are located behind Madison East Shopping Center and Hawthorne Library at 2707 E. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53704.

Similar to other "mural alley" locations around the world, the space was selected not for its central location, but more as a hidden surprise destination for the community. 

Madison Mural Alley was created by 5 artists and artist teams in collaboration with local Madison teens. The project originated from the Darbo-Worthington Neighborhood Planning process, where City of Madison planners asked Madison East Shopping Center owners, Greg Rice and John Brigham, if they'd be open to hosting a community art and placemaking exercise to welcome community input for options. Their agreement, resulted in a design charrette with members of the neighborhood at Hawthorne Library in August 2016.

The project was organized by The Bubbler at Madison Public Library with funding from the Madison Arts Commission. 

Special thanks to the site property owners EMI Enterprise Management, Gingrich Construction for the scaffolding, and countless volunteers and community members who helped make this a reality. 

Join Lakeview Library for a community salad supper on Thursday, August 23, 6:00-7:00pm! 

Bring produce you have grown with seeds from the Lakeview Seed Library to add to a community salad. Or bring produce that you have grown on your own (or purchased). 

In June, Madison Public Library and University of Wisconsin-Madison Archives collaborated to gather stories from attendees of the Madison Reunion. The event invited alumni from the 1960s to come and share their memories, stories, and reflections of their time on campus. Bert Rosengarten took some time to share his recollections of the cultural atmosphere in Madison from 1966 to 1970 and his part in the blues music scene.

Muslim voices are often unheard, and Muslim love stories are even more distant; but doesn't everyone love? 

Join us for book discussions on Love, InshAllah; The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women at several library locations. Copies of the book are available in the library on a first-come, first-served basis.