Anthology

Santas Without Chimneys is heartbroken to hear of the passing of Michael Johnson.
Michael was one of those leaders whose impact reached far beyond the walls of any one organization. He believed in bringing people together, building partnerships, and creating opportunities for children and families throughout our community.
As we share his words today, we are reminded of the legacy he leaves behind.
One of Michael's leadership lessons was simple but powerful: "Leaders build bridges." That wasn't just something he taught—it was how he lived.
He connected people, organizations, and ideas in ways that strengthened our community and created opportunities for countless children and families.
As Michael once said:
"Leaders build bridges. And over time, those bridges become partnerships, those partnerships become opportunities, and those opportunities create impact that no one person could accomplish alone."
Those words will continue to inspire many of us who serve our communities.
On behalf of Santas Without Chimneys, we extend our deepest condolences to Michael's family, loved ones, colleagues, and the entire Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County family.
Today, our community mourns the loss of an extraordinary leader. Tomorrow, we honor him by continuing to build the bridges he believed in so deeply.
Rest easy, Michael. Your legacy will live on in the countless lives you touched, the partnerships you created, and the community you helped strengthen. ❤️

Honestly, just reeling at this loss. May everyone find comfort in the many ripples of Mr. Johnson’s life - his legacy reaches far and wide.

An awesome way to support the arts and Minnesota! We already ordered our copies and everything we've seen of the artwork promises a really wonderful book. Will you join us?

Anthology just had another record-setting month. One part of this is the random timing of moving into a bigger space in 2018, the interruption of the pandemic, and still just growing into our new space with better visibility (how many times did people tell us they walked right by our old space?!), increased inventory (remember when the stickers just fit on one tray on a mint dresser?!), the expanded protest merch component (though it's hard to top the button table in the Walker years) and everything else that comes from going from 1000 sq feet to 3000. But, of course, the biggest part of this is the lasting connections between Anthology, our customers and our community. We appreciate all the ways you've made us part of your lives, cards sent from new baby to sympathy, gifts given, and returning visits when it has been years since you've been in (special shout-out to some of our long-time customers who have grown up with us). For that, we are grateful to everyone for all the ways we continue to build strength and community and longevity. Thank YOU!

This makes us so happy!

A few months ago, we shared that the Vanilla Bean would be closing. Today, we have happier news: The Vanilla Bean has been sold to a new family, and is beginning its next chapter. This Fall, we’re reopening in a new home in downtown Middleton under the same name. We’re not closing – we’re turning the page!

The Kickstarter is LIVE! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rebelloonpress/the-rebel-loon-archive-hardcover-book
Pre-orders are expected to ship in August 2026.

This book was originally intended to be a short booklet of poetry and art, sold locally to encourage those directly affected by ICE’s actions, with any profits going to mutual aid.

What started as a casual call to local artists quickly expanded. From across the United States and around the world, more than 400 artists so far have chosen to contribute their work to the Archive. The art in this book is a curated selection from more than a thousand artworks entrusted to the Rebel Loon Archive’s collection.

No collection of art can fully represent what it meant—and means—to live through these events. This book is and will always be incomplete.

But the Rebel Loon Archive brings together the voices of children, local artists, international contributors, Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonists, and artists sharing their art for the first time.

Some artists were sheltering at home with their families, hiding from ICE agents; some were watching in horror and solidarity from across oceans. Every artwork shows a different facet of what it meant to live through this time.

Artists, thank you for being the most important part of the Rebel Loon Archive. Your generosity, talent, and drive to speak up for justice make this collection possible.

Curating and assembling this art collection has been an honor, and I'm so excited for you to hold it in your hands. It's heavy, and it's hopeful. We can hold those two together.

With love and light—
Erica Helander and The Rebel Loon Archive team

If Anthology has sun/moon/rising signs, what would they be? The soft opening date? the formal opening date? the date we got the keys from the landlord? the night Sachi finished writing the business plan?

Open usual hours Saturday (10-7) and Sunday (12-5). Open holiday hours on Monday.