Thousands of local Madison artists need their community’s support, but it isn't always easy to find ways to buy work from emerging artists. For every one artist with gallery representation, there are likely five hundred who are looking for ways to have their art seen, appreciated, and sold so they can create full-time.
While the Internet has made it easier for local Madison artists to get exposure, it's also a very crowded space, and on-screen viewings are not nearly as impactful as seeing a work of art in person.
Below is the most complete list we could find of ways you can find local Madison artists to lend them your support: you can buy their art, follow, like, and share on social media, and attend their openings and memorable nights.
Here are four ways to find local Madison artists:
Photo Source: Abel Gallery in Stoughton, Wisconsin
1. Madison WI Art Galleries & Studios, and throughout Dane County
Madison is not blessed with a central district of art galleries like some cities, but we do have plenty of stellar locations that can be enjoyed in a more piecemeal fashion.
Abel Contemporary Gallery – https://www.abelcontemporary.com/
Commonwealth Gallery – https://cwd.org/building-community/common-wealth-gallery-rental/
Edgewood College Gallery – https://www.facebook.com/EdgewoodCollegeGallery/
fine•earth Gallery – https://fine-earth.org
Green Road Pottery – https://greenroadpottery.com
Hatch Art House – https://hatcharthouse.com/
Higher Fire Clay Studio – https://higherfireclaystudio.com
HYART Gallery – https://hyartgallery.com
James Watrous Gallery – https://www.wisconsinacademy.org/gallery
Janus Galleries – https://janusgalleries.com/
Marzen Gallery/Integrated Art Group – https://www.integratedartllc.com/exhibitions
Milward Farrell Fine Art – https://www.milwardfarrellfineart.com
Overture Galleries – https://www.overture.org/galleries/overture-galleries
Talbot Gallery 2118 – https://www.talbotstudioandgallery.com
The Garver Gallery – https://garvergallery.com
Woodland Studios – https://www.woodland-studios.com
Photo Source: Mount Horeb Chamber, Art Fair
2. Art Shows & Fairs in Madison, WI and Dane County
There are also fantastic art shows to enjoy in Madison each summer – like the Art Fair on the Square and the Agora Art Fair in Fitchburg.
Art Fair off the Square – https://www.artcraftwis.org/art-fair-off-the-square.html
Art Fair on the Square – https://www.mmoca.org/activities/art-fair-on-the-square
Dane Arts Art Market – https://dablmarket.com/dabl2019
Earth Wood & Fire Artist Tour - https://earthwoodandfiretour.com
Fitchburg Agora Art Fair – https://agoraartfair.com
Mount Horeb Art Fair – https://www.mounthorebchamber.com/artfair
Black Arts Matter – https://union.wisc.edu/visit/wisconsin-union-theater/seasonevents/black-arts-matter-festival/
Winter Art Fair off the Square – https://www.artcraftwis.org/winter-art-fair-off-the-square.html
Wisconsin Regional Art Program – https://wiscartists.wildapricot.org/wrap-exhibits-workshops
Photo Source: MMoCA Gallery Night
3. Art Walks & Gallery Nights in Madison WI and Southern Wisconsin
Smaller communities like Mount Horeb and Stoughton also have Gallery Nights, as does Madison, which is hosted in many communities throughout the city.
Marquette and Atwood Neighborhoods Art Walk – https://www.marquette-atwoodartwalk.com/
MMoCA Gallery Night – https://www.mmoca.org/activities/gallery-night
Fall Art Tour: Spring Green, Dodgeville, Baraboo & Mineral Point – https://fallarttour.com/
Art Walk Middleton – https://cityofmiddleton.us/231/Arts-Committee
Art Walk Stoughton – https://www.artwalkstoughton.com/
4. Directories of Local Madison Artists and the greater area
Perhaps the best way to support local artists is to buy from them directly. Below are a few directories of artists with links to their personal websites.
Arts for All Wisconsin – https://www.artsforallwi.org/support/buy-art
Dane Arts Calendar – https://danearts.com/support-dane-arts/calendar
Madison Art Guild – https://www.madisonartguild.com/artists
Mount Horeb Area Arts Association – https://mhaaa.org
Portal Wisconsin – https://www.portalwisconsin.org/online_gallery.cfm
If you know of a gallery, art show, gallery night, or directory that I’ve missed, please comment or message me at [email protected], and we’ll add it to the list!
2 comments
Association of Wisconsin Artists
Wiscartist.org
Exhibit Feb 27-April 2, 2022
Pyle Center
Also Exhibit there August-September every year
Hi Jenny, you might want to consider the Wisconsin Arts Board. I think they have a gallery. Also they were part of portalwisconson.org. There was a list of artists and their work. Probably outdated now but still a LOT of Wisconsin artists represented. Highly recommend that you contact George Tzougros (tz-u-gros) [email protected]. Better, call him, 608-267-2006. Tell him what you are doing. Bet he would write you up in his daily arts news email. A very nice, smart, kind man who has made an unfathomable difference in the Wisconsin arts world. Yep, he walks on water. Tell him I sent you. He will also love that you did this list. They used to do a list of all events in a year, think funding got cut for that. Also Cambridge WI has an Earth, Wood and Fire show. Fall I think. Talented group of potters in Jefferson County. Many thanks! Your fan, Ann