Carnelian Art Gallery announces its April exhibition

Madison, Wisconsin, March 3 – Carnelian Art Gallery, located at 221 King St., Suite 102, in downtown Madison, is pleased to announce its second art exhibition of the year, titled “Shifting Ground.”

This is a solo exhibition with works by Madison artist Peg Orcutt. Orcutt creates visceral, large-scale landscapes, often representations of sky, water, forest, and fiery scenes, that invite onlookers to become “immersed in each image and explore the possibilities of that particular space,” she says.

The exhibition’s title, “Shifting Ground,” represents the continuous evolution of Orcutt’s own artistic process, and shines a lens on emergent issues related to global warming, as well as the current political zeitgeist.

Shifting Ground is slated to kick off with an opening reception at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 10, and is to be on display from Friday, April 3, until Sunday, April 26.

As always at Carnelian Art Gallery, admission on opening night is free, and light refreshments will be served. At 6 p.m. on opening night, Orcutt will deliver an artist talk about the works she created for Shifting Ground, as well as her general comeuppance as an artist.

“Showing at Madison’s hottest new gallery is a thrill,” says Orcutt. “Evan Bradbury has been involved in the Madison art scene for many years, but his new space is the best yet. Working with Emilie Heilemann has really added to his commitment to showing terrific art. I am delighted to join the ranks of both established and lesser known artists at Carnelian.”

Orcutt is originally from Chicago, Illinois. For her undergraduate degree, Orcutt studied studio art and art history at Wellesley College, located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Orcutt then studied at the University of Illinois in Chicago to obtain her graduate degree in fine arts.

She taught drawing at Sage College of Albany in upstate New York for “many years” before moving to the Madison area with her husband, who is an electrical engineer. The duo enjoy cross country skiing in the wintertime when there’s free-time, Orcutt says.

“It is such a privilege to work with Orcutt on an exhibition at Carnelian Art Gallery” says Emilie Heidemann, Carnelian Art Gallery marketing director. “Her works exude deep purpose and soul.”

“The gallery is beyond thrilled to showcase Orcutt’s talent,” says Evan Bradbury, Carnelian Art Gallery owner and head curator. “If you want to feel something real, this is an exhibition I highly recommend checking out. Please join us for opening night on Friday, April 10. Everyone is welcome.”

Dupaco Credit Union expands access to affordable homeownership through partnership with FHLB Des Moines

MADISON, Wisc.—Dupaco Credit Union is partnering with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) to offer Mortgage Rate Relief, a housing affordability initiative that supports income-qualified homebuyers by permanently reducing mortgage interest rates by up to 1.5% below the current market rate. The interest savings can be the difference in making the dream of homeownership a reality. 

Introduced in 2024, the Mortgage Rate Relief program continues to make a meaningful impact across the region. Since its launch, Dupaco has been selected to participate in this program and has already applied more than $9.3 million in grant funds to credit union members’ home loans. For 2026, Dupaco has been awarded $6 million in additional funding to help even more eligible members purchase homes. 

“Every day, we meet members who are working hard to build financial stability for themselves and their families,” said Brian Henneger, VP, Mortgage Lending at Dupaco’s Mineral Point Rd branch in Madison. “Programs like Mortgage Rate Relief open doors that might otherwise stay closed. Permanently lowering interest rates for eligible borrowers doesn’t just make homeownership more attainable—it creates long‑term savings that strengthen their financial lives well into the future.” 

The Mortgage Rate Relief program offers qualified homebuyers a special rate as low as 4.967% APR*. This is up to 1.5% below the current market rate. 

“Our goal is always to provide our members with innovative tools and resources that make a real difference,” said Dan Mahlum, mortgage programs director at FHLB Des Moines. “This partnership strengthens our ability to support our members as they work to address housing affordability challenges and meet the needs of their customers.” 

For more information, call 800-373-7600 ext. 204. 

*Additional eligibility guidelines apply. Rate effective as of 3/2/2026. All loans subject to approval. Rate, terms and conditions are subject to change. Equal Housing Opportunity. 

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ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 179,000 with assets exceeding $3.6 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations.  Learn more at www.dupaco.com.  

ABOUT FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK OF DES MOINES 

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines is deeply committed to strengthening communities, serving 13 states and three U.S Pacific territories as a member-owned cooperative. We work together with over 1,200 member institutions to support affordable housing, economic development and community improvement. FHLB Des Moines is one of 11 regional Banks that make up the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Members include community and commercial banks, credit unions, insurance companies, thrifts and community development financial institutions. FHLB Des Moines is wholly owned by its members and receives no taxpayer funding. For additional information about FHLB Des Moines, please visit www.fhlbdm.com. 

Applications Now Being Accepted for MMSD’s Project SEARCH 2026–27 Internship Program

MADISON, Wis.—Applications are now open for the Madison Metropolitan School District’s (MMSD) 2026–27 Project SEARCH high school transition-to-work internship program. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Project SEARCH is a one-year, immersive internship program for young adults ages 18–21 with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants gain hands-on work experience at a host business while receiving classroom instruction and on-site job coaching, with the goal of securing competitive, integrated employment.

“Project SEARCH is about preparing young adults for real jobs in real workplaces,” said Jason Penticoff, the program’s lead. “By the end of the year, interns leave with practical experience, stronger confidence, and a clearer sense of what they can contribute to the workforce.”

Interns rotate through multiple departments in a hospital setting, building job skills, communication abilities and workplace behaviors. Instruction focuses on employability skills such as teamwork, time management, problem-solving and independence. Support is provided by an MMSD teacher, job coaches and vocational rehabilitation services.

“Before Project SEARCH, I wasn’t sure what kind of job I wanted or what I was good at,” said Jayden F., East High School student and current Project SEARCH intern. “Now I feel more confident at work, I’ve learned how to talk with coworkers, and I can see myself having a real job after the program.”

Since launching in 2008, MMSD’s Project SEARCH has helped more than 100 interns secure competitive employment across Dane County. Statewide, the program has provided workforce training to more than 2,000 Wisconsin residents. Participants must be eligible for services with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Each year, the Madison program accepts 10–12 students who demonstrate success in a work environment and are able to participate in unpaid training in a hospital setting.

Project SEARCH Madison is a partnership between MMSD, MARC and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. The program is hosted by UW Health and the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital.

Interested applicants and their families are encouraged to visit the MMSD website for more information, including a link to apply. 

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Spherion Expands Presence Across Wisconsin With New Appleton Office

Locally Owned Staffing and Recruiting Firm Invests to Support Wisconsin’s Evolving Workforce Needs

MADISON, Wis. – Spherion Staffing and Recruiting (Spherion) announced today that its South Central Wisconsin team, led by local President & Franchise Owner, Austin Kassner, will expand its presence to the Fox Valley and greater Green Bay area this summer while also extending services into the Milwaukee market. This expansion will allow the team to better support existing partners while continuing to build new relationships.
 
For Kassner, a Green Bay native, this represents both a professional milestone and a meaningful return to the community where he grew up. The local staffing and recruiting company will now operate as Spherion Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, reflecting its expanded service area and continued regional focus.
 
Kassner’s team currently operates offices in Madison, Wisconsin and Rockford, Illinois. Since acquiring the Madison branch in 2022, he and his team have built on a more than 35-year local legacy while continuing to strengthen long-term partnerships.
 
Over the past several years, Kassner has invested heavily in building and developing his internal team — an effort recently recognized when Spherion was named one of Madison Magazine’s “Best Places to Work”. As part of the expansion, the team also plans to add several internal positions in the coming months.
 
“We’re seeing increasing demand for skilled trades, along with a continued need for operational and professional talent across the communities we serve. At the same time, we’re expanding our capabilities in IT to better support clients as technology continues to shape workforce needs,” said Kassner. “As we grow into the Fox Valley, Green Bay, and Milwaukee markets, we’re looking forward to spending more time on the ground, getting to know local business leaders, and building the same kind of long-term relationships that have driven our success in Madison and Rockford.”
 
Spherion Wisconsin & Northern Illinois has been a trusted workforce solutions partner since its founding in 1990. With a track record of success in both temporary and direct hire placements across manufacturing and distribution, office and administrative, professional, IT, and scientific roles, Kassner and his team work closely with organizations across industries to develop tailored workforce solutions that support long-term business goals.
 
To learn more about Spherion Wisconsin & Northern Illinois, visit www.spherion.com/madison-wi.
 
About Spherion Wisconsin & Northern IL 

Driving careers. Growing businesses. Bettering the community. These tenets have been at the core of Spherion Wisconsin & Northern Illinois since its doors opened over 35 years ago. Locally owned, Spherion provides comprehensive staffing & recruiting services, including: flexible staffing, temp-to-hire, professional direct-hire placement, and workforce management solutions. The Spherion Wisconsin & Northern Illinois team invests the time to develop relationships with everyone they work with to deliver differentiated results. Its tenured team understands the Wisconsin and Northern Illinois markets and has a proven history of matching the right candidates for the right role across a wide array of industries.

Dupaco announces 2026 board election results

DUBUQUE, Iowa— During Dupaco Community Credit Union’s 77^th Annual Membership meeting held Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Denise Dolan, Andy Schroeder and Robert Wethal were elected to serve three-year terms on the credit union’s board of directors. 

Dolan has served on the Dupaco board since 1993. She is the retired Dubuque County Auditor. Schroeder has been with the Dupaco board since 2014 and is Vice President of Digital Services for Prenger Solutions Group in Dubuque. Wethal joined Dupaco’s board in 2012 and is Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer for MercyOne Medical Center in Dubuque. 

Following the membership meeting, the board of directors held its re-organizational meeting, at which these officer appointments were made: 

• Randy Skemp, chair of the board 
• Ellen Goodmann Miller, vice chair 
• Andy Schroeder, secretary 
• Renee Poppe, treasurer 
• Joe Hearn, president/CEO 

These directors were appointed to committee chair positions: 

• Denise Dolan, chair, Business Lending committee 
• Andy Schroeder, chair, CUSO Board of Managers 
• Ron Meyers, chair, Audit committee 
• Bob Wethal, chair, Nomination & Governance committee  
• Jeff Gonner, Asset Liability Management committee 
• Renee Poppe, chair, Personnel committee 
• Antonio Mouzon, chair, Credit/Delinquent Loan committee 
• Ellen Goodmann Miller, chair, Marketing committee 

As a member-owned, democratically-controlled cooperative, all Dupaco members have an equal say in their credit union. Each member has one vote, no matter how much money they have in deposits or loans at Dupaco. 

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ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 179,000 with assets exceeding $3.6 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations.  Learn more at www.dupaco.com.