Carnelian Art Gallery announces new exhibition

MADISON, Wisconsin, April 8 – 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 “Dreams In the Undergrowth.” The show will kick off with an opening reception at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 16, at the gallery and last through the end of June. As always, light refreshments will be served.

Opening night for Carnelian’s show is also Gallery Night for the city of Madison. Organized by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Gallery Night “offers art lovers and art novices alike an opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of exhibitions, opening receptions, special events and demonstrations at venues throughout the city. During Gallery Night, dozens of venues open their doors to invite the public in to see and shop for original artwork,” according to MMoCA.

“Dreams In the Undergrowth” exhibiting artists include Hanna Bruer, Rick Ross, Karen Laudon, Erin Liljergen, Susan Kaye and Ray Zovar. They each specialize in either two- or three-dimensional abstract artworks, which focus overall on themes surrounding the subconscious, human emotions, nature and the environment.

This exhibition’s opening reception will include a live painting session by Hanna Bruer. The session is set to commence at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 16, and last until 7:30 p.m. Bruer in her sessions converts a blank canvas into an active work of art, letting the bystander experience her creative process from start to finish.

Her paintings combine illegible text and grunge textures to create visceral atmospheres. They are inspired by her struggles with mental health. Bruer’s canvas serves as a personal journal to create something beautiful out of adversity.

She has created paintings at venues like the Majestic Theatre and Memorial Union Terrace in Madison, as well as for MMoCA Gallery Nights. Her works and story have been featured in the Wisconsin State Journal, Madison Magazine, Isthmus, the Cap Times, as well as on NBC News.

“We are so excited to feature the works of these six talented artists in ‘Dreams In the Undergrowth’,” said Emilie Heidemann, Carnelian Art Gallery marketing director. “Each artwork invites the onlooker to entertain what lies beneath the surface of their conscious reality. There’s something very powerful about that.”

“This is a show you won’t want to miss,” said Evan Bradbury, the gallery’s owner and head curator. “I’m so proud to have such talent adorn the walls of Carnelian Art Gallery.”

Dupaco Foundation to award $250,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Area nonprofit organizations have the opportunity to receive grant funding from the Dupaco Foundation. Applications are now being accepted for the Dupaco Foundation Nonprofit Grant program. This annual competitive grant program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations whose mission or programs align with one of the foundation’s three focus areas:

• Affordable housing and homeownership
• Upskilling and reskilling
• Small business development

“The Dupaco Foundation is dedicated to empowering our communities by supporting organizations that drive meaningful change in these areas,” said Joe Hearn, Dupaco Foundation Secretary and President/CEO of Dupaco Community Credit Union. “Through this grant program, we aim to amplify the efforts of these nonprofits, fostering innovation and creating opportunities for growth and development.”

The Foundation will award $250,000 in grant funding. Individual grant amounts are available up to $20,000, depending on scope and scale of the project. Proposals should demonstrate clear, impactful goals with measurable outcomes.

This is the second year of the annual program. In 2024, twenty-nine nonprofit organizations were awarded a total of $250,000 in grants.

Online applications are being accepted now through May 30, 2025. Grants will be awarded in July 2025. For more information and to apply, visit www.dupaco.com/ways-we-give.

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ABOUT DUPACO FOUNDATION:
Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation, also known as Dupaco Foundation (the “Foundation”), is a tax-exempt private foundation described in Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation is a separate legal entity from Dupaco Community Credit Union (the “Credit Union”) and is governed by its own Board of Directors and officers. The Foundation was established in 2011 to honor the retirement of 47-year employee and long-time Dupaco Community Credit Union President and CEO, Robert W. “Bob” Hoefer. The Foundation is designed to carry on the Bob Hoefer tradition of providing personal financial assistance and coaching to help hardworking and financially prudent people recover from unforeseen life events and to increase their opportunities for financial stability. Learn more at www.dupaco.com/foundation.

Tim Hoel Joins M3 as Director of Personal Lines

Madison, WI – M3 Insurance is proud to welcome Tim Hoel as its first-ever Director of Personal Lines, a key step in expanding its services to meet growing client demand.

With over a decade of leadership experience, most recently at American Family, Tim has a strong track record of driving agency success and enhancing the client experience. In his new role, he will be focusing on team development, advancing personal lines strategy, and working directly with clients to ensure best-in-class service.

“Tim’s expertise and leadership bring a new level of structure and strategy to our personal lines team,” said Becky Menefee, vice president of M3 Elevate and partner at M3. “His deep industry knowledge and client-centric approach align perfectly with our vision for growth and the highest quality service.”

The creation of this role underscores M3’s strategic focus on personal lines as a key growth area, particularly in an evolving market landscape spanning Wisconsin, Illinois, and Upper Michigan.

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About M3

M3 is a top insurance broker and risk management firm in America. We’re leaders in the products we represent and the industries we serve. M3’s people are an extension of your team, providing world-class resources to help you manage risk, purchase insurance, and provide employee benefits. And our focus on community builds better places to live and work. For more information on M3, visit www.m3ins.com.

Seeking Sponsors for New Monthly workshops in Downtown Madison for women

Become a Sponsor and Empower Multicultural Women Entrepreneurs

We are now located in downtown Madison, connecting and educating low-income women who dream for more!

We invite you to support Midwest Mujeres’ monthly workshops and become a sponsor for this month’s in-person education series, helping multicultural entrepreneurial women thrive. Your sponsorship directly supports our Voices and Dreams Academy, a six-month accelerator designed to uplift low-income women — especially women over 50 — through hands-on training in financial literacy, branding, public speaking, and storytelling.

Your contribution will help us provide meals and high-quality instruction to 15–20 inspiring women entrepreneurs. In return, your brand will be recognized by our 20,000+ followers across social media, our blog, and in our email newsletter. Together, let’s launch this year’s cohort and make a lasting impact—one voice, one dream at a time.

LINK to Give: https://donorbox.org/midwestmujeres

We are a registered nonprofit organization, and if you have questions, email us at info@midwestmujeres.com

Learn about our board and who we work with: https://www.midwestmujeres.com/about

Link to April’s workshop and sponsor (Big Thanks to Ascendium!) https://www.midwestmujeres.com/post/unlocking-the-possibilities-midwest-mujeres-first-in-person-event-in-our-new-space-with-leflore-ac

Madison Night Market Brings Downtown Culture to the Streets

Showcase of Local Businesses, 100+ Unique Vendors, Live Music and Food Trucks

DOWNTOWN MADISON, WI – Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID) is excited to announce the return of the expanded Madison Night Market on May 8, June 12, August 21, September 18, and October 16, from 5-9 p.m. Last year’s expansion onto N. Carroll and W. Mifflin Streets on Capitol Square is back, along with State Street and Gilman Street, welcoming more local artisans and food vendors to the fast-growing downtown district.

According to pedestrian data from Placer.ai, last year’s Madison Night Market series attracted a combined total of 92,600 people, representing a 16% increase over 2023. The BID is also experiencing a wave of new businesses. Since January 2024, a total of 42 new establishments have chosen to locate in the heart of downtown, adding to the diverse mix of retail, dining, and service offerings in the area. These new businesses represent a significant investment in Madison’s Central Business Improvement District, demonstrating confidence in the area’s continued growth and prosperity.

“It’s incredible to see the positive trends,” said Matt Tramel, Executive Director of Madison’s Central BID. “It reflects the hard work of our small businesses, the dedication of the community and the unique culture of downtown Madison. We’re a destination for locals and visitors alike, and the energy and vibrancy of the Madison Night Market reflects an enduring appeal. We’re proud to support our local entrepreneurs and contribute to the growth of our community.”

Madison is known for great shopping, amazing food and a talented arts scene, and the Madison Night Market brings our urban experience together in celebration. Vendors and State Street retailers combine to showcase handmade products, local art, artisan gifts, artisanal foods, and fresh produce. The event includes live music, special visiting food carts, and pop-up restaurant experiences.

New for this year’s series, the BID is highlighting unique Madison cultural themes with live entertainment and family friendly activities, including:

• May 8: Celebrating UW Madison – programming details and music lineup here!
• June 12: Celebrating Madison Sports
• August 21: Celebrating Wisconsin History
• September 18: Celebrating Madison’s Hispanic Heritage
• October 16: Science on the Square

For the May 8 market date, the BID will announce a full list of vendors and food trucks in late April.

The most up-to-date market details can be found here: https://madisonnightmarket.com

Follow along on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/madisonnightmarket/

And on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/madisonnightmarket/

Stay up to date on ALL downtown events here: https://visitdowntownmadison.com/events/

ABOUT MADISON’S CENTRAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

The BID represents more than 370 businesses and 250 property owners. It is dedicated to supporting the economic vitality, safety and vibrancy of downtown Madison. We serve the greater State Street, Capitol Square and First Settlement district, working collaboratively with property owners, small businesses and city stakeholders to make downtown Madison the best place to shop, dine, work, live and explore. As a special assessment district, we provide important services, including marketing, public programming, small business support and storefront advocacy to ensure a thriving downtown.