Events Calendar

READ and PLAY together with children under age 5! Engaging with books, songs and playful experiences all help children develop communication skills, patience, empathy, and pre-reading skills​ and helps to build a lifelong love of reading. Library programs are always free. Siblings and childcare groups are welcome

READ and PLAY with your favorite baby! Reading, singing, talking, and playing with your baby from the beginning is important because the roots of language are developing in a baby’s brain even before they can talk! Library programs are always free. Siblings and childcare groups are welcome.

All are welcome to stop by Thurber Park (3325 Thurber Ave) for weekly Hold & Release Open Studios Sessions with Artist-in-Residence, Jennifer Bastian.

Hold & Release is a two-year artist residency at Thurber Park Artist Studio, an indoor public park space currently occupied by artist Jennifer Bastian.
Jennie's residency is focused on the grief in our world right now. Jennifer shares, "for some it is delayed processing of loss due to the ongoing Covid pandemic and ramp-up back to 'normal,' for others it is due to income inequality or racial inequity in a segregated city, others are impacted by the reality of multiple concurrent genocides around the world. I believe we need space to slow down and process our grief. Art can help us access the emotions our daily lives do not leave room for."

During Open Studios Sessions you can stop in and create amongst other community members. Drawing, collage and fibers materials will be available for mixed media making. Jennie will be available to talk about ongoing projects. This residency is geared towards adults, young people are welcome with adult supervision.

Please note: One or more individuals in this small space are immunocompromised. For that reason, we are requesting all attendees kindly mask before entering. Masks are provided on-site if needed.

It's time for LEGO Club! Join us the 2nd Wednesday of each month (Sep 11, Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 11), for ages 5 to 12. Leave your own LEGOs at home - we've got plenty to share! Sometimes there's a theme, but there's always opportunity to free build.

Text+Titles = TexTITLES: Conversations Around How Textiles Connect Us

The Textile Arts Center of Madison (TAC) and Pinney Library are pleased to invite you to join a monthly facilitated conversation around how textiles connect us all. Each month, the guided discussion will center on a specific title, article(s), podcast, or other selected media reviewed by participants prior to the gathering. Discussions will center around textile and fiber art with a focus on historical, social, economic, and environmental concerns related to fibers, fabrics, makers/artists, techniques, use, value, and more.  As possible, some copies of book titles selected will be available for checkout through the Madison Public Library; however, in some instances participants will need to procure access to the media on their own.  The first three conversations are scheduled in the Pinney Library Reading Room, featuring the inspiring permanent art installation titled Us, Midwest created by local artist Yeonhee Cheong. Please register for each conversation you wish to attend at the TAC website.

Conversations are from 6-7:30 pm on the 2nd Wednesday evening of the month: 

Oct. 9  On Mending by Ceila Pym (purchase via Pym's website: celiapym.com/on-mending)

Nov. 13 Threads of Life by Clare Hunter (available to reserve and check out from Madison Public Library: LinkCAT)

Dec. 11 Material Intelligence digital magazine, Linen and Paper issues (access free online: https://www.materialintelligencemag.org/)

Space is limited. Please register for each conversation you wish to attend at the TAC website. (https://www.textileartsmadison.org/textitles-1)

Join Menominee artist Yvette Peguero and learn how to create a beaded drum necklace! Participants will learn why the drum is important to Menominee culture and why it is considered the "heartbeat" of the people. Appropriate for kids ages 5 and older. All supplies provided. 

Registration is required. Registration opens two weeks before the program (10/30/24) at 9:00am. 

About the presenter

Yvette Peguero is an enrolled elder of the Menominee Nation. Before retirement a few years ago, Yvette taught for over 41 years as an Elementary Teacher, Assistant Principal and Principal for the Oneida Nation School System in Oneida, Wisconsin. As a child Yvette knew that one day she would become a teacher and would teach Native children. After moving to Madison, Yvette continues her love of teaching by working as a substitute teacher for the Madison School District, as the Tutor Coordinator for the Title VI Indian Education Program, and by teaching others to bead. Her belief is that it's important to share our knowledge and it's our responsibility to actively do so for the next generation. Sharing these skills and knowledge, while also being a role model for our youth, connects us to our past and future and leaves our legacy for those that will come after us.

Part of the Teejop and Beyond: Celebrating Native Nations series in partnership with Ho-Chunk Gaming Madison and made possible thanks to the Friends of Madison Public Library. Visit madpl.org/teejopandbeyond for more info.