Our Town Everywhere: Artist Team
Throughout the year of 2023 an ever-growing team of artists and library staff will be championing Our Town Everywhere: A Self-Portrait of Madison throughout the city of Madison. This unique portrait making project will act as a catalyst for joyful connection, deeper conversation and collaborative creation.
Popping up in libraries, parks, shelters, and other community spaces (who knows!) folks of all ages will be invited to create and contribute their own stamped self portrait into the collection for the exchange of another community members’ portrait.
This team will be helping us develop the project further. The Artists-in-Residence will be an extension of the Our Town Everywhere project, in which they will be encouraged to explore the idea of community portrait through a variety of mediums. Similar to the Bubbler Artists in the Neighborhood program in our neighborhood libraries. The Exhibition and Logistics leads will be strengthening the project and its’ reach throughout Madison.
Mars Patterson (she, they)
Artist-in-Residence, Central (May - July)
Martina Patterson, known as Mars is an Artist, Master Naturalist, Herbalist, Environmental Educator, and Land Steward. Through the interdisciplinary art of fiber and eco-mixed media, she explores, highlights, and reflects the phenology of Nature and the human experience with the intent to grow, inspire, and educate.
M.Rose Sweetnam (they, he, she)
Our Town Everywhere Exhibition Lead
M.Rose Sweetnam is a mixed media artist creating primarily in collage, print, digital experimentation, and movement/embodiment. They currently reside in Madison and are working on LGBTQ+ community care, mental health advocacy, and somatic awareness. M’s recent art practice reflects an effort to transform artmaking from goal oriented back to a playful and restorative pursuit; their art practice centers what sparks joy and curiosity, with a focus on nature, queerness, archives, fantasy, embodiment, and the inner process.
Alicia Rheal (she, her)
Our Town Everywhere Logistics Lead
Alicia Rheal has over 30 years of experience as a muralist and as a painter for theater, opera, ballet and television. She has designed, produced and collaborated with artists from around the world and her work can be enjoyed in public spaces and in private collections. Alicia is an active “Walldog” and has worked as a designer, project leader and painter on the organization’s historic-styled murals. From 2014-2022, Alicia served as the Director of Production for Dane Arts Mural Arts (DAMA) where she facilitated the creation of murals involving elements of community and youth participation and programming. Alicia was an integral part of the design, painting and installation of mural work attributed to DAMA.
Maria Schirmer Devitt (she, her)
Artist-in-Residence, Central (August - November)
(info & photo coming soon)
Grace Olson (she, her)
Artist-in-Residence, Central (December - March ‘24)
Grace Olson is an interdisciplinary artist, music maker and childcare worker based in Madison WI. Her practice seeks to cultivate connections with and between others through shared creative experiences.