The Bubbler at Madison Public Library

This Tuesday, June 23, join the Make Music Madison group at High Noon Saloon for an evening celebrating the rich history of Madison music venues!

During this event - The Music Venues We Have Loved - you're invited to come and share your own stories, photos, ticket stubs, posters, or handbills from an unforgettable show at a local venue, past or present. A group of panelists who made an important contribution to those places and the local music scene will also share their reflections, and you'll be able to join in the discussion.

This free event is part of Make History Madison, a participatory story-sharing project about land, place, and local history featuring a citywide Map250 interactive story platform.

Learn more and register at madpl.org/america250

There’s still time to submit your ideas and art to be considered for our new library the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park opening this Fall!

Beginning next week our team will be reviewing submissions for both the (1) inaugural exhibition and (2) the project-focused wall which will highlight interactive community-engaged art projects at the Imagination Center at Reindahl Park.

Artists on the Northeast side of town are especially encouraged to apply! Artists who have completed the form by Tuesday, June 9 at 9:00 am CST will be eligible for these specific opportunities if they show interest within the submission.

Beyond those two opportunities we, of course, are stoked to hear from local artists who are interested in facilitating workshops for adult, youth or both at any of our libraries. It's all funneled through the same form at this time. Fill out the Bubbler Artist Form to provide us an idea of who you are and what you're excited about creating. This form is ongoing for all arts opportunities with Madison Public Library through 2027.

https://www.madisonbubbler.org/get-involved/for-artists/bubbler-artist-form-2026-2027

THANK YOU to all who joined us last week for the opening reception of Preserving Art & Culture for a Decade, a solo photography exhibition by Amadou Kromah. This exhibition invites both celebration and reflection, honoring the creative journey Amadou began at just fifteen years old. Through this collection, he highlights storytelling in images as one of the most powerful ways to connect and create change. He asks viewers to consider: “What does preserving art and culture look like in your everyday life?”

If you missed out on the opening there's still plenty of opportunity to see the exhibition as it will remain on display in the Diane Endres Ballweg Gallery on the third floor of Central Library through August 1.

The exhibition is available for viewing during Central Library's open hours unless a program or group is utilizing the space. Please call 608-266-6350 or email [email protected] before traveling to confirm that the gallery will be open to visitors.
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Photo credit: Heidi Johnson
Catering: Ugly Apple thanks to the support of Madison Public Library Foundation.

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!