Lake Loop Art Tour
Joanne Kirkland
Two mugs featuring birds.
media release: Madison-area artists invite the community to experience local and regional art in a distinctly Madison way: by bike around Lake Monona.
The second annual Lake Loop Art Tour will take place Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free, self-guided tour features 18 local and regional artists working in pottery, sculpture, woodworking, jewelry, and painting, with 6 host locations situated within easy biking distance of the Lake Loop Bike Path.
Inspired by rural studio tours, the Lake Loop Art Tour puts an urban twist on the tradition. In addition to driving from one studio to another, visitors are encouraged to spend the day cycling around Lake Monona on the Lake Loop bike path, stopping at artists' homes, studios, and Hatch Art House to see artwork, meet artists, and purchase original work directly from its makers.
“We wanted to take the spirit of the rural studio tour and make it our own,” says Jackie Sullivan(née Matelski) of Toast Ceramics, a participating artist and member of the group organizing the tour. “Madison already has this wonderful bike path around Lake Monona, and it gives us a natural way to connect artists, art lovers, and the community. You can spend a beautiful late-summer day riding your bike, discovering artists, and finding something made by a person who lives right here.”
The tour is designed to make buying art part of the experience without requiring visitors to carry their purchases around the lake if they choose to bike. Visitors can arrange for purchased artwork to be picked up at a later date, allowing them to continue exploring without worrying about transporting larger or fragile pieces.
The participating artists are:
Nadia Niggli · Rachel Imsland · Brian Kluge · Shandra Bjyrd · Jill Schienle · Joanne Kirkland · Meghan Sullivan · June Ambro · Rachelle Miller · Dick Miller · Debbie Kupinsky · Craig Clifford · Hatch Art House · Ryan Myers · Brendan Kelley & Lily Hammer · Toast Ceramics / Jackie Sullivan (née Matelski) · Randy Becker · Melissa Ann Wendt
Host locations include:
2802 Center Ave., Madison
2318 Willard Ave., Madison
319 Koster St., Madison
6013 Winnequah Rd., Monona
Hatch Art House, 1248 Williamson St., Madison
4201 Drexel Ave., Madison
The locations are approximately one to three miles apart, making the tour particularly well suited to exploring by bicycle. Visitors can begin wherever they like and create their own route. Driving is also welcome, although parking availability varies by location.
“No registration is required, and there isn't one right way to do the tour,” says Sullivan. “Start anywhere, bike or drive, visit the artists who catch your eye, stop for food along the way, and make a day of it. That's really the point.”
At its heart, the Lake Loop Art Tour is about encouraging people to look close to home for creativity and connection.
“Art is one of the things that makes us human,” says Sullivan. “Supporting artists helps create a vibrant creative economy and makes our communities stand out and stand together. When you buy something directly from an artist, you're not just buying an object—you’re building a relationship with the person who made it and investing in the place where you live. And honestly, finding something unique in your own backyard is a lot more interesting than ordering another thing from Amazon.”
The Lake Loop Art Tour is free and open to the public, with no registration required. Street and limited off-street parking are available depending on the location. Accessibility and leashed-pet policies vary by site.
For the tour map, participating artist information, and additional details, visit www.lakelooparttour.com or follow @lakelooparttour on Instagram and The Lake Loop Art Tour on Facebook.
