Madison Public Library’s Bubbler recently announced its Artists in the Neighborhood partners for the summer. This series pairs a community artist with each of the Madison libraries to lead and develop creative programming. From June through August, patrons will have the opportunity to connect with local artists and learn how to create something new. The artists include:
Rita Salm, Sequoya Library
Salm is an illustrator and artist who enjoys creating things meant for everyone. They enjoy using a colored pencil texture and hand-rendered typography in their designs. Salm’s favorite things to make are patterns, designs for cards, and little doodles.
Annie Aaker, Pinney Library
Though she has lived in Madison for the past 12 years, Aaker recently earned her master’s in library science and began working as a youth librarian. Aaker has been an artist since she was a kid, and now she helps kids turn “mistakes” into their best masterpieces.
Claudia Linnea, Alicia Ashman Library
Though she has lived in Madison for the past 12 years, Aaker recently earned her master’s in library science and began working as a youth librarian. Aaker has been an artist since she was a kid, and now she helps kids turn “mistakes” into their best masterpieces.
Elias Mittelstadt, Lakeview Library
As a designer and artist, Mittelstadt is inspired by technology, nature, history, and cartography, and creates with 3D printing, digital design, and found objects. Mittelstadt helps local artists and has created programming for people of all ages.
Christina Theobald, Hawthorne Library
Theobald is a community artist who is passionate about making art accessible and fun. With a variety of mediums and techniques, she hopes to show how creativity can build relationships and relieve stress.
Lexie Olson, Meadowridge Library
Olson is an artist and storyteller whose work focuses on the intersection of visual and written language. In the classroom, she’s passionate about encouraging a welcoming space for reflection and artistic expression.
Lelia Byron, Monroe Street Library
As an interdisciplinary artist, Byron’s work includes paintings, sculptures, murals, installations, and public art projects. Her projects often include an investigative component, which begins with interviewing diverse groups of people about a variety of topics and the creative process.
Ella Deitz, Goodman South Library
Deitz is a writer, performer, and organizer who recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a degree in Creative Writing and Gender & Women’s Studies. She also works in Youth Programming at The JVN Project.
Bubbler Artists in the Neighborhood is made possible thanks to support from Ascendium Education Group, Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, Madison Public Library Foundation, Jane Doughty & David Wood, and Dick Goldberg & Lisa Munro.
Visit the Bubbler website for more details and a schedule of Bubbler activities.