Bilingual programming, accessibility planning and a focus on representation transform PBS Wisconsin's statewide Expos.

95% of visitors

surveyed are ``very`` or ``extremely`` likely to recommend attending Great Wisconsin Quilt Show 2024.

92% of visitors

surveyed who indicated accessibility needs felt we met their needs at Great Wisconsin Quilt Show 2024 and Garden & Green Living 2024

96% of visitors

surveyed have attended Garden & Green Living in the past

Each year, PBS Wisconsin’s Garden & Green Living Expo and The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show transform the Alliant Energy Center in Madison into gathering places for tens of thousands of visitors from across the state. With deep community roots and a mission of public service, these events are evolving in ways that help more people feel represented, accommodated and engaged.

Highlighting diverse voices and vendors

From bilingual storytimes to presentations by diverse educators and growers, both Expos are bringing more perspectives into the spotlight. In 2024, Garden Expo welcomed Ashlie Thomas, known online as The Mocha Gardener, to share insights on growing food in small spaces. We also welcomed regenerative farmer Pheng Her to share insights on Hmong agricultural traditions. Alejandra Jimenez, founder of Semillitas Spanish in Nature, led bilingual activities in the on site PBS KIDS Backyard.

At the 2023 Quilt Show, a curated exhibit by Karen Hinton Robinson explored Black history through textile art, inspired by the PBS REEL SOUTH episode “Quilted Education.” Visitors met the artist and viewed the episode onsite. Additional presenters included Indigenous, Black and Latinx quilt makers, along with bilingual educator and podcaster Lina Owen.

We quickly learned that when we make events more accessible, the experience gets better for everyone—attendees, volunteers, educators and vendors.

Amanda BalistreriEXPO MANAGER

A woman wearing a light blue top, floral skirt, and traditional beaded bone necklace speaks to an audience in front of a vibrant star-patterned quilt with blue, red, and yellow hues. She has glasses and long brown hair, and she gestures while addressing the crowd.

At the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show 2024, Bonnie LeBeaux, a Lakota and Diné artist, presented a lecture and exhibit on the history and generational significance of Lakota Star Quilts, featuring six large wall quilts.

For Garden & Green Living Expo 2025, we offered two simultaneously ASL interpreted presentations per day. We plan on working with the McBurney Disability Resource Center (UW-Madison) to offer ASL services that more people will utilize.

Mary Alice Van GemertEVENT COORDINATOR

Reducing barriers through accessibility planning

Guided by our partnership with Access to Independence, PBS Wisconsin has introduced extensive improvements to event access — from assistive listening devices and ASL interpretation to high-contrast materials and multilingual signage. Over 96% of our Quilt Show survey respondents who indicated they had accessibility needs confirmed those needs were met.

The station also invited feedback from community experts to identify and address areas for growth. Booth accessibility tips were shared with vendors, ramps were added to presentation stages, and new entrances replaced hard-to-navigate turnstiles.

You made the quilt show display larger and that was much appreciated. People with special needs were able to get around much easier looking at the quilts. Thank you!

Julie from WatertownGREAT WISCONSIN QUILT SHOW

I love just being there, thinking of spring, and learning new things or gaining inspiration from the seminars.

Expo AttendeePBS Wisconsin's Garden & Green Living Expo

Continue offering lectures that allow us to learn about how other cultures use quilts.

Shirley from Cottage GroveGREAT WISCONSIN QUILT SHOW

Alejandra Jimenez, founder of Semillitas Spanish in Nature, led bilingual activities in the PBS KIDS Backyard at the 2024 Garden & Landscape Expo.

Connecting beyond the exhibit hall

Virtual offerings — like livestreamed interviews and video tours — continue to expand event reach, while radio interviews and advertising in multilingual and culturally targeted outlets help invite new audiences.

Whether sharing stories through fabric or teaching how to grow nourishing food, these events reflect PBS Wisconsin’s commitment to creating shared public spaces that welcome more Wisconsinites each year.