Abstract art has gone 12 rounds with Western audiences since it came from the East in the 19th century. A century after its successes with Expressionists and Impressionists, Post Impressionists, e.g. Van Gogh, gave inspiration to abstract artists to explore emotion over realism. In the 1950s, broad audiences struggled to appreciate how one person’s expression of emotions as ideas was worth their time compared to the rise of pop art.

What we’re going to wear is one of the first decisions we make each day. And while the decision about where to purchase our clothes is likely based upon personal style, preference, and budget, who we purchase from is more vital than we may have imagined.

If there’s one thing I’ve spent a ton of energy preventing in my life, it’s allowing others to see me fail. Whether on stage as a professional opera singer or in other parts of my life, I didn’t want anyone to see that I royally screwed up. I was trained by society that no one should ever see me fail and that I should keep my failures hidden behind the curtain. I’ve thought most of my life that failure was disaster. That when I failed, people would think less of me. Since what other people thought was my primary motivator, I could think of nothing worse than leading them to believe I’m not perfect.

There are few unfamiliar with the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child,” and on its own, it’s a wonderful sentiment. What we gain learning from others helps us grow into a strong, well-rounded person. But there’s more beauty to be found upon extrapolation. That child fosters pieces of their caretakers and mentors, becoming an ambassador for certain schools of thought and champion of developed proficiencies. Ultimately, they grant a sort of immortality to those who’ve played a role in their life.

A chamber of commerce is, loosely, a business network meant to promote and foster the interests of its members, typically local businesses. What this can look like in practice is sometimes unappealing to potential members. Businesses may join, question the benefits of their membership, and move on.

Wisconsin seasons provide a range of things to groan about, but even in winter, you can get a fruit salad with fat grapes and ripe mango almost as fresh as the day they were picked. Preservatives, well, they ensure grocery shelves are always stocked full of your favorite foods and snacks. For many, this lifestyle equates to comfort and familiarity. It’s certainly made some exotic foods very affordable. But more intensive refrigeration, year-round production schedules, and worldwide shipping ask us to consider if the environmental cost is worth the convenience.

Kingdom is best described as a Gambian/Senagalese soul food restaurant with a menu featuring African and Mediterranean dishes along with American favorites all made from scratch. Whether visiting for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or carryout, you’re sure to find a favorite dish.

Could a newly married couple turn down a house, a gift from the father of the bride, designed by an individual regarded as the spiritual father of modern architecture? Of course not. So it was that Dr. Harold C. Bradley and his wife, Mary Josephine Crane Bradley, came to own a home on Madison’s near-west side that was designed by Louis Sullivan. Built in 1909, the Bradley House, at 106 N. Prospect Avenue, in the University Heights Historic District, is only one of two Sullivan designs in Wisconsin. The other is the Farmers & Merchants Union Bank in Columbus.

“Dedicated to all things helpless and to the noble cause which aims to make the way easier for them—such is Dane County Humane Society.” — Ida Kittleson in 1926, five years into her three decades plus as president.

Healthcare is expensive for humans and pets, but when you compare the costs of similar procedures, pet healthcare is a bargain. As an example, surgery to repair a torn cruciate ligament in a person’s knee could run over $20,000, while the repair for a dog averages $5,000. People with health insurance likely don’t realize the difference because, having health insurance, they don’t see the actual cost of their own surgery. They notice their out-of-pocket cost, which may be $3,000—less than the cost for their dog. So what can you do to also reduce healthcare for your pet?

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.” -Maya Angelou

During the mid-1800s, the population of Mineral Point was greater than Milwaukee or Chicago. As a once-bustling historic settlement, Mineral Point has gone from mining town to arts and cultural center, bringing it all together today for an experience that’s a microcosm of Wisconsin.