Woodland Pattern has the best selection of literature, including poetry, fiction, and chapbooks in the Midwest. It is also a unique performance space that brings musicians, writers, and artists from all over the world to this special place. I have attended many music performances, readings, and other events there, and am always in awe that such a place exists in Milwaukee and has thrived for so many years.
Woodland Pattern is a rich resource for its neighborhood and surrounding community. I am especially impressed with the support for the poetry community and small book publishers. Walk in the front door and you will be lost in one of the richest literary collections in the Midwest. In my view the programming in the art gallery, classes, and readings create connections you would never think of. I am inspired every time I visit. Standing in front of the old fashioned wooden drawers filled with chap books captures a different kind of interaction with the humanities.
My wish for Woodland Pattern is a "significant-this-year-benefactor" that will help this literary treasure continue to make a difference for so many.
A rare, one of a kind community resource where one can find books, art, performances, and classes. In the past twenty years I've found essential books you dont' find anywhere else, attended the most amazing workshops with authentic writers and us poet laurettes such as ted kooser, as well as joy harjo, carolyn forche, arthur sze...It riveled my Grad School Education and provided resources, discussion, diversity, and the best of the best of everything. I was pleased to teach workshops to neighborhood kids on finding their voice and speaking strong, as well as presenting a screenplay workshop for adults. The owners of the store created such an incredible place for us, we must keep this store growing for it means so much to so many!
I've had the honor of curating Woodland Pattern's music programing for the past 17 years. Their embrace of all forms of artistic expression - writing, film, music, painting and drawing - is exemplary. Day by day, Woodland Pattern demonstrates that a commitment to local arts requires an eye and ear on artistic expression worldwide. Woodland Pattern brings the local arts community to the world and the world to our shared community in Midwest. - Hal Rammel
Woodland Pattern is a fixture of the Riverwest Neighborhood in MIlwaukee, WI. Beyond being the biggest collection of zines/small press in the country (world?), they also host community events like the info session I attended for Solar Riverwest, which is a neighborhood group-purchasing program for Solar.