UPCOMING EVENTS

2023 TARADIDDLE YOUNG WRITER CONTESTS

I’m a Taradiddle Youth Writing Contest Judge.  Elementary and High School aged children around the world can enter to write original stories inspired by animal-themed prompts.  Click on the Taradiddle image to sign up and receive contest and prize information.  The 2023 contest dates are: March 9 – March 13, and September 21 – September 25.  The sooner you sign-up, the more clues you’ll receive via email about the mystery animal that will be featured in the next contest.

PAST COMMUNITY PROJECTS & EVENTS

STORYTIME WITH THE AUTHOR

I had an Amazing, Marvelous, Super Fun Day reading my books, A to Z Animal Picnic and A Giraffe Who Makes You Laugh, to children at Samuel’s Make-A-Wish event at the Bruce Company in Middleton, Wisconsin.  The event raised over $7,000 towards Samuel’s wish to go to Hawaii.

Please contact me at kim@KimMarieLiveYourDreams.com if you’re interested in having me come to your event or organization to read and/or tell my author story.

I’ve had an amazing time sharing my author journey and reading A to Z Animal Picnic to pre-school and elementary school students.  They’ve been so attentive and engaged!  After each reading, I’ve shared bookmarks and coloring or activity pages from my picnic basket with the students. 

Please contact me at kim@KimMarieLiveYourDreams.com if you’re interested in having me come read and/or tell my author story to your class.

I partnered with Keva Sports Center in Middleton, Wisconsin on Friday, January 27, 2023 for storytime and a multi-sport class.  I had a great time reading A to Z Animal Picnic beginning at 10:00 am.  A multi-sport class for children ages 2 to 5 followed. This was a FREE event, but registration with Keva (608-662-7529) was required in advance.  Signed copies of the book were available for purchase. It was so fun engaging with these active little ones! 

Keva Sports Center in Middleton, Wisconsin held their annual Family New Year’s Eve celebration from 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Saturday, December 31, 2022. There was music, inflatables, sports play, a photo booth, balloon artists, a magician, and I read A to Z Animal Picnic at 2:30 pm, 3:00 pm, and 3:30 pm.  Signed copies of the book were available for purchase at the New Year’s Eve celebration. So much energy at this family friendly event to ring in the new year!

BUCKY ON PARADE

In 2018, I was one of 64 artists whose designs were selected for Bucky on Parade. The Madison Area Sports Commission partnered with the UW-Madison to produce this free, public art event.  I was able to bring three of the 85 Bucky Badger statues to life for the event which raised $1 Million for Garding Against Cancer, Madison Area Sports Commission and other local charities.

We Are Bucky  is covered in images of UW Madison memorabilia, coaches, athletes, students, and fans.  For the Summer of 2018, We Are Bucky was sponsored by Wipfli LLP and was located in front of Smith Hall on Park Street.  In the Fall of 2018, We Are Bucky went up for auction. It was purchased by CUNA Mutual Group and is located at their home office in Madison, WI.

Funky Buckingham  was base painted using several different tools, such as bubble wrap, a potato masher, corrugated cardboard – but no paint brush.   The motion W on his chest is decorated with sports icons and the Jump Around paw on his back includes shopping motifs.  The red base is covered in ticket stubs from a variety of UW-Madison events that I attended.  Funky Buckingham was sponsored and purchased by Greenway Station in Middleton, WI where it stands today.

5th Quarter Bucky  was decoupaged with sheet music.  The words and music to “Varsity” were painted across the front and band instruments were affixed to the statue.  5th Quarter Bucky was located at the AC Hotel in Madison during the Summer of 2018.  It was sponsored by Lands End and currently lives at the Lands End Headquarters in Dodgeville, WI.

DOWNTOWN DOORS MADISON

In 2019, my Bloom design was one of 24 selected for Downtown Doors Madison, another free, public event. 

Bloom was originally created using acrylic paint on canvas.  The design was enlarged and transferred to a vinyl wrap which was applied to a door at the Capitol Center located on the corner of Broom and Dayton Streets in Madison, WI.