news
Swedish Dishcloth Design Collaboration with Green Life Trading Co.
In Spring 2026, Green Life Trading Co. invited Bernie to design three new Swedish Dishcloths for their shop. Green Life Trading Co is a one-stop-shop for zero waste on Williamson Street in Madison. Swedish Dishcloths are one of Green Life Trading Co. favorite zero-waste swaps: each one replaces up to 17 rolls of paper towels, is made from plant cellulose and cotton, and 100% at home compostable at the end of its life. Bernie came up with three bold, colorful designs featuring a sun, butterflies and flowers. Check them out and buy one in person at one of Bernie's upcoming events, and learn more on the Green Life Trading Co website
Pinney Library Art Studio Mini-Residency 2026
Together We Make: Collaborative Creativity at Pinney Library
In January and February 2026, Bernie returned to Pinney Library for another mini residency -six weeks of drop-in collaborative art making in the Pinney Studio. Together we explored various art mediums and played with colorful techniques, creating ephemeral art for the simple joy of being creative. A photographer from the Wisconsin State Journal visited on our last day of Collaborative Creativity - Check it out!
City of Madison Pavement Art Mural
Bernie's design "Rainbow Over Zebra Mountain" was chosen by the City of Madison for a pavement mural on W. Dayton Street between Frances and Bedford Street. Bernie worked with Madison's Department of Traffic, DC based Chalk Riot, Vision Zero, and a team of local artists to paint the mural in September 2025. The City of Madison is trying this new approach to reducing crashes between cars, bikes and pedestrians. Channel 3 (ABC) interviewed Bernie for a news story that aired on September 19th & 20th, watch it here. The Wisconsin State Journal also interviewed Bernie and did a photoshoot about the mural, read it here!
Forward Madison FC Pride Jersey Design
Bernie designed the 2025 Forward Madison FC Pride Jersey! It was available to order on the Forward Madison online shop but is now sold out. Sales from the Pride Jersey were a fundraiser for OutReach Madison.
Pinney Library Art Studio Mini-Residency 2025
In February and March 2025, Bernie returned to the Pinney Library Art Studio for a mini-art residency! Warm Creativity on Cold Afternoons took place from 3:30-5:30 every Thursday in February and every Tuesday in March with drop-in art making projects for grown-ups, teens, and kids. Different surprise projects and medium(s) were featured each week to help patrons add some color play to their winter days!
Interview on Queery Radio Show
Bernie was interviewed on Madison's local community radio station WORT 89.9 FM, during the Queery radio show in Nov, 2024. Learn about color as a verb, her teaching philosophy and ideas about creativity, and learn more about Zuzu the Boss Cat too. Listen to the interview
Pinney Library Art Studio Residency 2023
Bernie was the Artist In Residence at Pinney Library art studio from February - November, 2023. The residency, entitled Color Play - Making the World a Little More Rainbow, focused on the exploration of color, creativity and play. During the residency, Bernie transformed the Pinney Art Studio into an art installation bursting with color and artwork made by community members. View the Rainbow Room and learn more about Bernie's residency
Madison Magazine Article, January 2023
bernie & zuzu was featured in the January 2023 issue of Madison Magazine!
Read the article
PAST EVENTS & WORKSHOPS
SCREEN PRINTING ON PAPER
4-week course: May 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th
Wednesdays from 6-9pm
Polka! Press, 2051 Winnebago Street, Madison WI
Class Level: Beginner, Intermediate & Advanced levels
Age requirements: 18+
In this four-week workshop beginning and intermediate students will complete two printing projects and learn or review all the basics of Screen Printing on paper. Advanced students (those who have taken a workshop with Bernie in the past) will be able to work independently. We will cover different techniques for creating stencils, including hand-drawn, paper cut out, or digitally printed. You will gain experience coating a screen with emulsion, learn to burn a screen with an exposure unit, learn to reclaim a screen, and have ample opportunity to practice printing multiples on paper. Beginners, those looking to refresh their printing skills or advanced students looking to complete an independent project are welcome! Learn more and register here
INTRO TO SCREEN PRINTING ON FABRIC
2-week course: April 15th & 22nd
Wednesdays from 6-9pm
Polka! Press, 2051 Winnebago Street, Madison WI
Class Level: Beginner & Intermediate levels
Age requirements: 18+
This workshop will cover all the basics of screen printing! We will take inspiration from spring flowers and plants, or anything you’re excited about. You will leave the workshop with three tea towels featuring your own artwork! Optional: If you prefer working digitally, please bring your ipad or laptop. Otherwise just bring your ideas and you will create your stencils by hand. Follow this link to learn more and register (through the Textile Art Center)
THE BIG GAY SPRING MARKET
Sunday, March 29th, 10am-4pm
Wisconsin Rugby Club, 4064 Vilas Road, Cottage Grove WI
FEMMESTIVAL
Saturday, March 14th, 4-10pm
Garver Feed Mill, Madison
Saturday February 21st, 1-5pm
bernie & zuzu studio, 100 S. Baldwin, 3rd floor, Madison
Class Level: Beginner & Intermediate levels
Age requirements: 18+
This workshop will cover all the basics of block printing. We will be inspired by flowers, plants and spring in Wisconsin. You will be led through an ideation process, learn to carve your own easy-cut block, and learn to print on fabric. You will leave the workshop with a throw pillow featuring your own artwork!
TOGETHER WE MAKE: COLLABORATIVE CREATIVITY
Jan 12th - Feb 23rd, from 1 - 4pm
Pinney Library Art Studio, 516 Cottage Grove Road
Join me for six weeks of drop-in collaborative art making in the Pinney Studio. Explore various art mediums and play with colorful techniques. Create ephemeral art for the simple joy of being creative. Bring a collaborative, sharing mindset; supplies provided. Expect impermanent synergistic projects that may build from week to week. No registration necessary. The intended audience is adults and teens.
WHAT IS LOVE? POLKA! PRESS PRINT POP-UP
Saturday, Feb 14, 1-4pm
Polka! Press Print Collective
2051 Winnebago, Madison WI
Join Bernie's printmaking collective, Polka! Press, for an afternoon of printing and community building as we share our visions for a community rooted in love. Participants will get the chance to screen print and letterpress with Polka! members and respond to the prompt “love is". Also, bring your own t-shirt to screen print a new design on community care by me! Come with your visions for a strong community, leave with a print and a t-shirt to share with the world.