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article local calendar_today Thursday, August 21, 2025

Upcoming art shows and festivals

The article highlights a series of upcoming art exhibitions and festivals in Springfield, Illinois, running from late August through September 2025. Key events include the Springfield Art Association's 37th Annual Edwards Place Fine Art Fair, the solo watercolor exhibition “Perceptions of Nature” by Donald Landry at the Hoogland Center for the Arts, and the “NOIR V: Resilience” exhibition at the Illinois State Museum. Other featured shows include “Confluence” and “PLEIADES” at the SAA Collective, and the “Statewide: Illinois Artist Showcase” at the M. G. Nelson Gallery. The Fae Folk Art Collective also presents its fourth festival, Mythical Creatures, at Union Square Park.

This roundup matters because it demonstrates how local art organizations like the Springfield Art Association and the Fae Folk Art Collective drive community engagement, cultural identity, and economic development through accessible exhibitions and festivals. By showcasing diverse artists—from watercolorists and Black artists to women and fantasy-themed creators—these events foster inclusivity and pride while attracting tourism and supporting local businesses. The article underscores the vital role of community-based nonprofits in sustaining the visual arts outside major metropolitan areas.