Our Town Everywhere
The Culmination of a Two Year Community Self Portrait Project in Madison, Wisconsin from 2022-2024
March - August 2024 at Central Library, Hawthorne Library, and Alicia Ashman Library
Exhibition Statement:
With the help of Bubbler artists and community partnerships, Our Town Everywhere artists began facilitating portrait making sessions for all ages throughout Madison in Fall 2022. Utilizing a set of custom, artist-created stamps of basic shapes and textures, participants were asked to connect and reflect on who they are in order to create a unique piece of art. Although everyone used the exact same tools, each portrait became one-of-a-kind. Participants then had their photo taken alongside their portrait and exchanged it for a risograph trade print of another Madisonian.
Over the last year and a half, we have facilitated more than 62 sessions with community organization, resulting in 1,100+ portraits created at library locations and outreach spaces. This exhibition captures the various facets of this dynamic project. The self portraits currently on display were created by a range of Madisonians and represent just a fraction of our vibrant participants.
We believe public libraries create endless opportunities for belonging, connection, and resource sharing. We are delighted that this project was able to help spark moments of connection, reflection, and joy within our community.
Our Town Everywhere Artists-in-Residence:
Mars Patterson, Maria Schirmer Devitt, Grace Olson, M.Rose Sweetnam, Rita Salm, and Alicia Rheal
Our Town Everywhere Facilitating Artists:
Christina Theobald, Annie Aaker, Lelia Byron, Elias Mittelstadt, Lexie Olson, Claudia Linnea Carlson, Sharon Tang, Mindy, Julie Navarro, Mayela Finol, Sherri Shokler, Sharon Bjyrd, Christine Holm, Madison Weist, Ty Springer, Maria Amalia Wood, Bird Ross, Scott Pauli, Savannah Starlin, Hannah Sandvold, Ella Deitz, and Tess Stroh
2022 Madison Public Library Staff Day Artists:
Audifax, Emily Balsley, Gabrielle Javier-Cerulli, Corey Dean, Tyler Brunsell, and Rob Franklin
Madison Public Library Project Organizers:
Carlee Latimer and Trent Miller
Risograph Printer:
Kate Mead (Communication Madison Print Collective)
Videographer:
Aaron Granat
Our Town Everywhere programming and exhibitions have received support from the City of Madison, the Friends of Madison Public Library, Madison Public Library Foundation, Madison Arts Commission, Dane Arts, Ascendium, and the Evjue Foundation.
