work shown:

150 Artists x 150 Years
Madison Public Library
Madison, Wisconsin
November 15, 2025 – February 28, 2026

“Language is constantly changing and evolving. Every year, new words and terms are added to the dictionary. Some are used for the first time—slang, inventions, or cultural trends—while others have existed for centuries but take on new meanings through use. As humans, we revel in the ever-evolving nature of language and how it reflects our cultures, histories, pastimes, and styles. It’s who we are.

To celebrate Madison Public Library’s 150th Anniversary, The Bubbler has invited 150 artists from our community, many of whom have contributed to The Bubbler’s programs over the years, to create new artworks for the 150 Artists × 150 Years exhibition. Each artist was assigned a year between 1875 and 2025 and a word first recorded or revised in the dictionary that year. Their task: to transform that word into an original artwork.

The resulting collection of paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, videos, and more traces 150 years of linguistic change and artistic imagination. In doing so, the exhibition highlights how language, literacy, and creative expression continually shape our understanding of one another and reflects the ongoing creativity of artists connected to Madison and its libraries.”