Blog
We Heart Art at the Wisconsin Union
Artwork is all around you when you visit our buildings Memorial Union or Union South. When you look at a wall in one of our restaurants, study spots, hallways, meeting rooms, or galleries, there’s sure to be a work of art staring back at you. Unfortunately, our daily lives are so busy that we tend to take this art for granted, rather than take the time to appreciate all the little details in front of us. The Wisconsin Union’s art displays fall into two categories: the permanent art collection, managed by Visual Arts and Art Collection...
read moreInto the WUDs – Finding your Place on Campus
Finding your place, the place that feels like home can feel overwhelming at college. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, though, an organization headquartered in the University’s campus living room helps students find their way: the Wisconsin Union Directorate (WUD). WUD leads the creation and promotion of more than 1,000 events at the spaces that makeup the campus living rooms, called Memorial Union, the Memorial Union Terrace, and Union South. WUD includes 11 committees and six outdoor clubs, called the Wisconsin Hoofers. WUD...
read moreA Wisconsin Union February: Free Wallpapers
To us at the Wisconsin Union, February means cozy times in der Rathskeller, winter activities galore, and, of course, the return of Winter Carnival and, with it, Lady Liberty to frozen Lake Mendota. Wisconsin Union Graphic Designer Jessalyn Mailoa created wallpapers that pay homage to a Wisconsin Union February. Click the images below to download your free wallpapers. Click the image above to download your free wallpaper. Click the image above to download your free wallpaper. Click the image above to download your free...
read moreSouper Bowl Brings Super Artists Together to Make a Difference
A chance to make a difference and bring home a one-of-a-kind art piece comes to Madison, Wis., March 26 at a food and entertainment charity event called Souper Bowl XXVI. At the Bowl, visitors can support the building of affordable housing in Dane County in many ways, including purchasing bowls of soup and the bowls in which the soup is served. Many of the bowls at the event will have had their starts at the Wisconsin Union’s Wheelhouse Studios at Memorial Union. Artists joined together to make a difference on Dec. 11 at Wheelhouse Studios...
read moreFree January 2022 Wallpapers – Building the Best New Year
We are ready to bid adieu to 2021 and to welcome in a new year. We are building a lineup of events, classes and activities to help you have an unforgettable 2022. Yes, 2022. We can hardly believe it ourselves. 2022 will bring with it more theater events, art classes, free film showings, the return of an in-person Winter Carnival, free music performances, and so much more. We can’t wait to welcome you back to Memorial Union, Union South as well as our markets and cafes in 2022. Happy New Year! Click the image to download your free...
read moreMark Your Calendars: Winter Carnival is Almost Here!
Fast forward to a cold and blustery day two months from now. It’s February, which means the holiday season has come to a close, and the winter blues have started to settle in. Never fear! We, at the Wisconsin Union, have just the thing to raise your spirits and get you excited for all your favorite cold weather activities: that’s right, Winter Carnival is back and better than ever! Winter Carnival will take place Feb. 7-12 at Memorial Union. We spoke with Outdoor UW Director Dave Elsmo to learn about the events and activities you can expect...
read moreHoof On: Learn how to get more involved with the Wisconsin Hoofers
The Hoofers hallway at Memorial Union. Oh how time flies when you’re having fun! This year, 2021, the Wisconsin Hoofers are celebrating 90 years of adventure, fun and exploration. Now is the perfect time to learn more about what Hoofers has to offer, how you can join, and what makes being a Hoofer so great. The Wisconsin Hoofers consists of six clubs, the Mountaineering Club, the Outing Club, the Riding Club, the Sailing Club, the Scuba Club, and the Ski and Snowboard Club. Each club has individual memberships, ...
read moreBehind the Scenes at the Union: Dave Elsmo
Outdoor UW Director Dave Elsmo Wisconsin native Dave Elsmo lives and breathes the outdoors. He discovered his love for sailing at the age of six, a passion that led him to become a sailing instructor and a member of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (UMN) Sailing Team. Ten years ago, he joined Outdoor UW at the Wisconsin Union as the head of sailing instruction and head sailing coach, two positions he held for seven years. A couple years ago, he became the sailing program manager, and, in September, he transitioned to Outdoor UW...
read moreNew, Limited-Edition Mini Terrace Chair Takes on the World
What do the Wisconsin Union and the Earth have in common? Gorgeous colors and natural beauty. A beautiful, colorful day on the Memorial Union Terrace When you visit the Union, you’re lucky enough to have a front row seat to many of Earth’s most beautiful natural creations. For example, when you visit the Memorial Union Terrace in summer, you can sit in our vibrant orange, green and yellow sunburst chairs and watch mesmerizing sunsets reflect off of the sparkling blue waves of Lake Mendota. Come fall, you can enjoy crimson and burnt orange...
read moreDid You Know? Wisconsin Union Markets and Cafés History
Story by Verne Scholl and Shauna Breneman You may be familiar with the fact that we, at the Wisconsin Union, offer many options for deliciousness at Memorial Union and Union South. But did you know that we also run many markets and cafes across campus, which are open to all? Our first deli opened before 1988 in the Medical Sciences Center. We named it the I.C.U., because of its location in the former University Hospital. We designed the deli as a temporary lunchtime dining option with a portable steam table and refrigerator. (We now operate a...
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