Vasari Codex. A living chronicle of the art world.

article local schedule Jun 2, 2026

Around the Farm art exhibit opens June 6 at the Coliseum Museum in Oregon

The Coliseum Museum in Oregon, Illinois, has announced the second annual "Around the Farm" art exhibit, running from June 6 to July 18. The show features 65 works by 35 regional artists, all celebrating agriculture through media including acrylic, oil, watercolor, photography, and mixed media. A reception with awards and live music by Cheryl & the Down Home Boys will be held June 12, with judging by artist and educator Debra Cleary.

article local schedule May 1, 2026

Rock Falls Tourism Announces Calls for Artists for 2026 Art in the Park Sculpture Walk/Outdoor Art Gallery

Rock Falls Tourism has announced two Calls for Artists for the 2026 Art in the Park Sculpture Walk and Outdoor Art Gallery, to be held on August 29, 2026, in the RB&W District in Rock Falls, Illinois. The Outdoor Art Gallery will feature a juried exhibition of original artwork from 10AM to 4PM, with a $250 Best of Show prize, while the Sculpture Walk seeks eight sculpture pieces for a year-long rotating public exhibit, offering selected artists a $1,250 stipend. Applications for the gallery are due June 2, 2026, and for the sculpture walk by June 1, 2026.

article local schedule Apr 20, 2026

Call for entries for 77th Grand Detour Arts Festival underway

The Grand Detour Arts Festival committee is now accepting applications from artists for its 77th annual event, scheduled for September 13 at the John Deere Historic Site. The juried show is open to all artists and artisans working in original media, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, and crafts, and features cash awards and a Best of Show prize with no sales commission charged. Applications for a separate student art exhibit are also being accepted, with submissions due by August 22.

article local schedule Apr 19, 2026

Awards presented at 3rd annual Focus on Photography art exhibit reception in Oregon

The Coliseum Museum in Oregon hosted the opening reception for its third annual Focus on Photography art exhibit, where Judge Danielle Koenig announced the competition winners. Glenn Bodish received the Best of Show award for his work “Pakistani Elder Making Lassi,” leading a group of winners that included Bob Cholke, Stephonie A. Schmitz, and Steve Toole. The exhibition features 59 works by 29 different artists, showcasing a range of techniques from traditional film to digital and mixed media.

article local schedule Apr 7, 2026

NCI ARTworks to showcase local artists at April 10 reception

NCI ARTworks is set to host a major group exhibition featuring 25 prominent local artists from the Ottawa Art League. Opening with a public reception on April 10 at the historic Westclox building in Peru, Illinois, the showcase will feature a diverse array of mediums including woodworking, watercolor, mixed media, and ceramics. The exhibition will remain on view through late May, with all featured works available for purchase.

museum exhibitions schedule Apr 6, 2026

Atelier Joliet Art Gallery to host opening for internationally-recognized artists

Atelier Joliet Art Gallery in downtown Joliet is set to host a dual artist opening on April 25 featuring the works of Jeffrey Equality Brooks and Joseph Mayernik. The exhibition showcases the distinct styles of these two nationally and internationally recognized artists, who will both be in attendance for the public event. The collection is currently installed and available for viewing during the gallery's standard weekend hours.

article local schedule Mar 7, 2026

3 Batavia High seniors selected for prestigious statewide art exhibition in Chicago

Three seniors from Batavia High School—Amelia “Mimi” Patterson, Jane Lishamer, and Benjamin Wash—have been selected to feature their work in the 13th Annual High School Art Exhibition in Chicago. Hosted at the Bridgeport Art Center from March 14 through April 18, the event showcases approximately 1,000 student artists from over 125 Illinois high schools. In addition to the main exhibition, six other Batavia students were chosen for the Northern Regional Exhibition.

article local schedule Jan 9, 2026

Hub for creatives: Art gallery opens in Fox River Grove, hopes to be gathering point for local artists

Artist Pat Marek has opened a new contemporary art gallery called All Ways in Fox River Grove, Illinois, located across from the public library. The inaugural exhibition features works by Marek and other Midwest-based contemporary artists including Lucie Van Der Elst, Zor Zor Zor, David Krzeminski, Nick Jackson, Garrett Luczak, and Crystal Lake native Ryan Tippery. A grand opening is scheduled for January 9, with regular hours and private viewings to follow. Marek, a Fox River Grove native who returned two years ago, also founded the Fox River Art Club six months ago, which quickly attracted a strong local following.

article local schedule Jan 6, 2026

NCI ARTworks to host Ken Knight art exhibition opening

NCI ARTworks is hosting an exhibition opening for international contemporary artist Ken Knight on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at its gallery in Peru. Knight will join via video to discuss his works, including recent pieces created in Portugal. The exhibition features a collaboration between Knight and contemporary artist Lorena Malm, where Knight's Mondrian-inspired works are enhanced by Malm's brushwork and layering techniques. The collaborative artwork will be on display and available for purchase through March at the NCI ARTworks Gallery in the Westclox building and at the Starved Rock Country Welcome Center in Utica.

person Shaw Local