James Watrous Gallery

Poetry in the Gallery

A Reading with Madeline Grace Martin and Angela Trudell Vasquez

A piece of art with dark line curves cascading vertically on a cream background.

Saturday, January 20

3pm - 4pm

James Watrous Gallery

Pay What You Wish

The Wisconsin Academy is honored to welcome Madeline Grace Martin and Angela Trudell Vasquez, Madison’s Poet Laureate, for an afternoon of poetry and reflection at the James Watrous Gallery.

Martin’s exhibition Of Words and Trees is a collaboration with her late father, writer and educator Peter Martin. Her recent artwork is infused with his poetry, often transforming selected lines into dramatic hand-cut paper forms. Martin will read a selection of poems written by her father, and share how she connects with his work through her art practice.
Angela Trudell Vasquez often includes ekphrastic poetry – writing poems in response to visual art – in her teaching, and many of her poems explore social justice, family, and generational wisdom. “Art speaks across the ages,” she notes, "and our loved ones live on in art in addition to our hearts.”
Please join us for this exploration of poetry as a visual art.
Registration for this event is on a pay-what-you-wish basis, with a suggested contribution of $5-15 to help pay our artists and keep programs accessible to everyone. Register on the Wisconsin Academy website.

Meet the Artists

Headshot of a caucasian woman with long brown hair and a dark top.

Madeline Grace Martin

Madeline Grace Martin (Milwaukee) is an artist and educator. She creates work using watercolor, embroidery, pencil drawings, and hand-cut paper to honor intergenerational and community stories. Madeline received an MFA from UW-Milwaukee in 2019 and is an artist-in-residence at Scout Studio and Gallery. She lives in the Merrill Park neighborhood with her partner and three children.

Headshot of a middle aged woman with medium complexion, brown eyes and long dark hair. She is wearing a tan jacket over a black top.

Angela Trudell Vasquez

Angela (Angie) Trudell Vasquez is the current city of Madison Poet Laureate (2020-2024) and the first Latina to hold the position. She received her MFA in poetry from the Institute of American Indian Arts in 2017. In Light, Always Light, came out in 2019, and her fourth collection of poetry, My People Redux, in 2022 both by Finishing Line Press. A former Ruth Lilly Fellow, she has a page on the Poetry Foundation’s website. Angie established the First Youth Poet Laureate program in the state of Wisconsin during her term as Poet Laureate, and is the current Chair for the Wisconsin Poet Laureate Commission. She is also a Macondo Fellow and has a small press Art Night Books. (angietrudellvasquez.com)

Upcoming Visual Arts Events

  • February 28 - March 8

    2025/26 Season, Fringe Festival, Overture Presents, Variety, Visual Arts "Earthlings: Revisited" By Jeanne C. Wilkinson

    Rotunda Studio

    Free exhibition in Rotunda Studio! Step into artist Jeanne Wilkinson’s “Cloud Tunnel” and immerse yourself in a mesmerizing interplay of shifting images and color.

    Multiple Showtimes
  • March 7

    Saturday

    Dance, Educational/Talks, Family Friendly, Folk Music, Free Events, Music, Theater, Variety, Visual Arts International Festival

    Multiple Venues

    Celebrate the rich cultural heritage within our community and enjoy nearly 30 FREE performances throughout Overture by artists who call Dane County home. Indulge in cuisines from around the world, browse stunning arts and crafts available for purchase and learn about the many local businesses with global connections.

    10:00 AM