Artist Carlos Gacharná Shares The Story Behind Our Annual Report’s Cover Art

Because our 2025 Annual Report reflects on Madison Public Library’s 150th year of service, we chose to feature a work from The Bubbler’s ambitious 150 Artists x 150 Years exhibition on the cover. The exhibition challenged artists to create an original work inspired by a year between 1875 and 2025, along with a word first recorded or newly revised in the dictionary that same year.

Created by artist Carlos Gacharná, our cover art, Obsessive (1897 of 150 Years of Madison Public Library), immediately drew us in. It beautifully reflects our storytelling theme, Imagine the Possibilities, while bridging the library’s past and future.

Carlos’ story reflects the many ways libraries strengthen communities.

Drawing inspiration from diverse cultures represented in Madison Public Library’s collections, Gacharná’s journey illustrates how libraries welcome newcomers to the United States, nurture creativity throughout a child and young adult’s life, and create opportunities for young people to thrive through programs made possible by donor and funding partner support. During his more than ten years with The Bubbler, Gacharná helped to create the Making Justice program, empowering children and teens both in Madison and Los Angeles to explore social justice through art.

As you explore this annual report, you’ll discover more stories like Carlos’—stories that show how your generosity helps the library inspire lifelong learning, foster belonging, and expand opportunities for everyone in our community.

The following interview responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Carlos, what inspired the cover art for Madison Public Library Foundation’s 2025 Annual Report?

‘Obsessive‘ started as a project sample for my third grade students. The interlocking squares that appear on the cover weave visual references to the colorful costumes of the Mardi Gras Indians (a movement created by Black New Orleanians in the late 19th century), the sacred Kené patterns of the Shipibo-Konibo people from Peru, and the architectural facades designed by Freddy Mamani of the Aymara in Bolivia.

What do libraries mean to you and how did they shape your experience as a newcomer to the United States?

I immigrated to Madison from Colombia when I was seven. My family had little money in those early years so most of my summers were spent at Pinney Library, where I devoured books and aggressively racked up page counts for prizes! My summers revolved around Calvin and Hobbes, the Redwall series, as well as books by Shel Silverstein, Dr. Seuss, and Roald Dahl. I also participated in Battle of the Books [now known as the Book Bowl] every year, into middle school.

Storytime was my favorite! I now anchor each of my lessons for elementary school youth by reading them a children’s book from the cultural community we are learning about that day. My hope is to recreate my positive early experiences with storytime for the next generation. 

In adulthood, Madison Public Library gave me my first opportunities to facilitate arts programming for youth. Libraries, and Madison Public Library in particular, have accompanied me across every chapter of my life as safe spaces that empowered me to learn, to be myself, and to find my voice. Libraries, to me, are the epitome of democracy and what it means to be an institution in the service of a community.

Do any specific memories stand out to you about your time working with The Bubbler?

I feel as though I grew up with The Bubbler. When I wrote a grant at the age of 20, staff from The Bubbler matched me with Girls Inc. at Goodman Community Center so I could run my first weekly art program for youth. 

After I returned to Madison after time in Brazil, I was walking along State Street when I happened to run into Teen Services Librarian Jesse Vieau, [one of The Bubbler’s core staff members]. He asked if I was still teaching and offered to book me for a class. Before I knew it, one class turned into 40 classes, and I became the lead facilitator for the Bubbler’s Making Justice Program. 

I still partner with the Bubbler every time I return to Madison. For me, it’s a genuine pleasure returning to the Juvenile Detention Center and Court Youth Shelter through the Making Justice program to continue the good work and be of service to the Madison community. 

How have your experiences working with The Bubbler and your early visits to Madison Public Library carried over into your work today?

My childhood experiences continue to influence me.  At storytime, my favorite book was Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti by Gerald McDermott. I now include it in my lesson about the Ashanti people of West Africa. Many of the visual references I use in classroom projects come from similar books in my collection.

To learn more about Carlos Gacharná, visit his website carloseg.com

Browse Carlos’ artwork while learning more about the impact of your donations in our 2025 Annual Report on our website here.