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.

The display at Hawthorne Library represents just a fraction of our vibrant participants. The exhibition showcases a small portion of photographs and self portraits created by a range of Madisonians. Other current Our Town Exhibitions include Central Library (Diane Endres-Ballweg Gallery) and Alicia Ashman Library.

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.