Welcome to the third edition of the Division of the Arts' reimagined newsletter! I'm Maggie Ginsberg, and my job is to write the feature stories that showcase the good work of our arts colleagues across campus. I've been in this position on the Communications team since March, and feel like I'm only beginning to wrap my arms around what a big and wonderful task it is.
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In the 29 years since I was a student at UW–Madison, I've often wished I could go back to school. Now, I feel like I have: I'm back at my alma mater, immersed in research, interviews, and writing; thinking critically, nurturing my curiosity, and regularly engaging with a community that values higher education and the arts. (Best of all, I get to skip finals.)
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The stories are everywhere. Just this week we published one on a Landscape Architecture class that's co-designing restorative public spaces with community school kids. Next I'll be bringing you the story of the innovative Siberian flutist who is reviving the dormant Madison Early Music Festival in January—keep an eye on our website for that. You can always find our stories, including those penned by our student staff writers, under the "News" tab on our website.
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Your good work is astounding. If we haven't met yet, I hope we will soon.
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Your partner in the arts,
Maggie Ginsberg
Writer, Division of the Arts
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Read on for links to our most recent feature articles on a popular class drawing majors from all across campus, a prizewinning Nigerian poet, and a student worker's insider view of the Chazen Museum of Art. Plus find fresh, exclusive content from our social media specialist, who keeps an eye on all things arts-related.
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Designing Restorative Spaces for Everyone
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Why is this Landscape Architecture class drawing students from all over campus? We visited class three times to find out. Read about it here, and be sure to stick around for a special video at the end.
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She Chose Madison (Again)
Maryhilda Obasiota Ibe, the UW Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing’s 2025 Hoffman-Halls Emerging Artist Fellow, isn’t ready to leave just yet. Read more
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Keeping Watch
A job at the Chazen is reshaping UW–Madison junior Claire Hoppe's relationship with art in unexpected ways. Read more
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Plus, tell us what cool things you're up to – reach out to the Division of the Arts at info@arts.wisc.edu
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Hello good people of the campus arts community! Welcome back to Social Butterfly, the section where I, Rainer, share about my work as the Division's Social Media Specialist.
During a typical day at the office, I might be designing graphics, editing an Instagram reel, or gallery hopping around campus. Read on for the people, places, and events that have stuck out to me in the time since our last issue.
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Now that campus is back from Thanksgiving break, a mad dash to wrap up the semester has begun. If you're like me and don't usually start holiday shopping until early December, the timing couldn't be trickier. Luckily, there are some excellent upcoming opportunities to make or buy thoughtful gifts on campus.
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This Thursday evening, Dec. 4, the Chazen Museum of Art hosts the second annual Sip & Shop Holiday Market from 3-7 p.m. Featuring 10 local artists, the Holiday Market emphasizes unique and handcrafted items for the one-of-a-kind folks on your gift list.
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Become a glass master for the day! The Mad Gaffers club invites the greater Madison community to make their own ornament at the Art Lofts glass lab. You'll select and apply colors, then blow the glass bubble yourself with assistance from an experienced student. These slots fill up fast, so mark your calendars for Dec. 5 when sign-ups go live.
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For an affordable and time-efficient handmade gift, head over to Wheelhouse Studios in Memorial Union, where you can paint your own ornament for $8-10. The only hard part is choosing which ornament you'll decorate and take home.
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There's still time to get your dream arts project funded! These Badgers got financial support for their work, and now it's your turn. Submit your application for the Division of the Arts-sponsored Creative Arts Awards and Arts Business Competition by Dec. 15. Need inspiration? In the video below, we followed two prior Arts Business Competition winners as they staged wacky, queer, colorful events over one weekend in June.
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As a self-proclaimed design nerd, one of the most anticipated events on my social calendar this month is the MD+I Winter Design Festival. Student designers from across campus will unite on Dec. 12 for a showcase with serious interdisciplinary breadth.
In case you've been buried headfirst in a textbook for most of the year and missed the news, Madison Public Library is celebrating 150 years in 2025! To mark the occasion, MPL is presenting 150x150, a milestone exhibition showcasing 150 local artists. The show features 30 UW staff, faculty, students, and alumni, including the Division of the Arts' own Aaron Granat. Kick things off with receptions this Friday and Saturday.
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Want to reach our audience of 8,000+ followers? Message the Division at @uwmadisonarts on Instagram and tell us what arts activities we should feature!
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Watch: Our friends at Wisconsin Public Radio posted a reel about their recent story featuring internationally renowned book artist and professor Julie Chen. She's made hundreds of limited edition books through Flying Fish Press, but she’s not an author. She’s a book artist.
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Listen: Before your favorite artist made it big, an arts educator was their number one fan. In this podcast, UW–Madison Department of Theatre & Drama Chair Erica Halverson facilitates conversations between performers, writers, and comedians alongside their mentors from grade school and college.
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Read: Huge congratulations to UW Creative Writing faculty member Alison C. Rollins, whose collection, “Black Bell,” has just been awarded the 2025 Maya Angelou Book Award for Poetry. Learn more about Rollins' process in this interview with Literary Hub.
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Find out: The Madison Early Music Festival is back! Stay tuned to hear what’s new about some of the world’s oldest music, including an innovative collaboration with the Physics and Dance departments.
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