Thanks to advocacy efforts by a statewide coalition led by Arts Alliance Illinois, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will distribute a historic $50 million in grant money to assist businesses, non-profit organizations, and sole proprietors in the creative sector that have struggled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Application portal opens Apr. 5
The DCEO Illinois Creative Recovery Grant application portal opens on Wednesday, April 5. If you operate in the creative space, we encourage you to visit illinois.gov/b2b for details on eligibility guidelines and more information on how to apply.
Arts Alliance Illinois is your go-to resource for support and tools you need for a successful grant application, including a help desk launching next Monday, 3/27, webinars, and more.
The Next Picture Show welcomes the 2nd Art in a Bottle Gala on Friday, May 19. This event combines patrons’ support for the arts and a fine glass of wine (or two, or three).
THE EXHIBIT RUNS FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 25, 2023 On Friday, Mar. 3, Amy Sikyta, TNPS executive director, presented the awards for this year’s Shades of Gray art exhibition during the artists’ reception. Jeff Paul Thompson, a professional sculptor, served as the guest judge for this exhibition.
Discover Dixon, in collaboration with The Next Picture Show (TNPS), is excited to announce a unique opportunity for young artists in the community. This program is a fundraising event that will help beautify the downtown district while providing exposure to local businesses, families, and organizations.
Drop into TNPS with the kids either March 18 or 25.
TNPS is hosting two sessions for students from K through 12th grade to come and design their masterpieces–March 18 OR March 25. Feel free to drop-in either day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. We close up at 4 p.m., so drop in at least an hour before then. TNPS supplies all art materials. Students may submit more than one entry.
THEME | “Draw what Dixon means to you”
Discover Dixon and TNPS are encouraging all students interested in participating to submit their artwork by April 5. The artwork needs to reflect any aspect of Dixon that the student enjoys. All submissions must be turned in to TNPS at 113 W. 1st Street.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to young artists in our community,” said Matthew Lenox, Marketing Director for Discover Dixon. “It’s a chance for them to showcase their talents while supporting a great cause.”
Kids’ art on the streets of Dixon
The banners will be hung throughout the downtown area, showcasing the artwork of the young artists in our community.
For more information about Dixon’s Downtown Banner Program or to learn more about the upcoming event, please get in touch with Discover Dixon at 815-284-3361.
Amy Sikyta takes over as Executive Director at TNPS
“In the short time I have been at The Next Picture Show, I have already recognized what an invaluable resource this organization is by offering art, culture, and a sense of community. I am excited to help continue this legacy.”
The Next Picture Show (TNPS) has turned over the executive director role from Philip Atilano to Amy Sikyta.
For the past 12 years, Sikyta has worked in the Advancement Office at Pinecrest Community in Mt. Morris, holding a few different roles, most recently as Director of Advancement. There she planned and executed all aspects of many fundraising events and oversaw marketing and community relations. In addition, she worked closely with the Village of Mt. Morris for several years, managing their website and social media. Working at a small non-profit allowed her to think creatively, cultivate relationships, develop excellent multi-tasking skills, and the ability to handle many different projects. Sikyta is eager to bring these skills to TNPS.
THE EXHIBIT RUNS JANUARY 13 – FEBRUARY 18, 2023 On Friday, Jan. 20, Philip Atilano, TNPS executive director, presented the awards for this year’s 18th Regional Survey of Art exhibition during the artists’ reception. Heather Shore, a professional artist, and art educator, served as the guest judge for this exhibition.
The Next Picture Show (TNPS) is pleased to announce the beginning of its Artist in Residence program. Glenn Bodish of Dixon, IL, has been announced as the first Artist in Residence at TNPS. Bodish has been provided a studio space on the upper level of The Next Picture Show in the Jane Edgar Gallery. He will have the studio space for three months, rent-free.
“For the Love of Chrome” by Glenn Bodish
Bodish was born and raised in the Allentown area of Pennsylvania. He holds an MFA in painting from the University of Montana, a BFA in painting from Southern Oregon University, and an Associate degree in Commercial Art from Luzerne County College in Nanticoke, PA. He is currently Sauk Valley Community College’s Professor of Art and Gallery Director.
“It is my goal to use the space to continue exploring my creative work and share some of my knowledge with artists, patrons, and visitors. I am committed to hosting several events during my residency,” said Bodish. “First, I would like to schedule a studio tour and an artist’s talk about my creative work. Also, I would like to offer a free community lecture on one of my research projects related to the history of art and a demonstration or workshop in one of my studio specialties.”
“Consequences Of Buying Into A Hype Reality” by Glenn Bodish
“I am incredibly excited to have an Artist in Residence program in place at TNPS and to have Glenn Bodish as the first artist,” said Philip Atilano, executive director of TNPS.
As an artist himself, Atilano states that artists seek residences in desirable locations rich in history, culture, and scenery. Dixon is such a place. Atilano plans to rotate artists every quarter and attract artists nationally and internationally to Dixon.
The Artist in Residence studio will be available for public viewing starting mid-November during gallery hours. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Presentations and workshops will be announced later.
“Marks Made” is coming to The Next Picture Show for a first-time special exhibition from December 13-January 7, 2023. It is free and open to the public during gallery hours, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or by appointment).
About the show
“Marks Made” is a two-woman show featuring Dixon natives Sydni Reubin and Heather Shore.
Reubin and Shore’s mixed media portraits are literal and metaphorical illustrations of the marks made by one woman on another. Through their mark-making and layering of media, they attempt to explore the marks these women have made on them.
In this series, they attempt to look beyond the basic tropes of sisterhood by taking a deeply personal look at their relationships with other women. While Reubin explores the strength and resilience of those women closest to her, Shore investigates her own strength and the effects of relationships with the women of her past.
An art teacher that made a difference
Not to be overlooked is the role one woman has played in their life. Reubin and Shore share a mentor in Dr. Lisa Kastello, who taught both artists while serving as their art teacher at Dixon High School from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s. Reubin and Shore consider their relationship with Dr. Kastello fundamental in their development as both artists and women. Their collaborative work featuring Dr. Kastello blends their mark-making to show appreciation for the marks Dr. Kastello left on them.
Artist Sydni Ruebin with her painting “Zoe Kaye.”
Meet Sydni Reubin
Sydni Reubin was born and raised in Dixon, IL, and graduated from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD) in 2009. Since graduating from MIAD, she has won numerous awards for her work, including Best of Show at the Grand Detour Arts Festival in 2013 and Best of Show at the Phidian Art Exhibit in Dixon, IL, in 2018. In 2021, her work was featured in four national and international watercolor exhibits and included in the “Best of 2021” issue of Watercolor Artist Magazine. She currently lives and paints in Madison, WI.
Artist Heather Shore with her painting “Self Portrait: Stage 10, Righteous Indignation”
Meet Heather Shore
Illinois-based artist and educator Heather Shore has been teaching and creating art for the past 20 years and is most well known for her mixed media mandalas inspired by the women in her life.
In her most recent work, she turns her focus inward, looking at the effects of being alone through a series of mixed media portraits and self-portraits. In this series, she attempts to reflect on the loneliness, contentment, and even joy that can be found in being alone.
The Water Street Studios Artists Collective (WSSAC) is coming to The Next Picture Show for a first-time special exhibition from October 29-December 10. It is free and open to the public during gallery hours, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (or by appointment).
This group of 23 artists is based in Batavia, Illinois, but they come from all over the Chicago area. They work in various mediums, from painting and photography to sculpture and assemblage.
“Self Portrait,” by David Hauptschein
The Collective’s seasoned artists have exhibited as a group and individually in galleries across the state and around the country. Many have been art teachers in colleges, universities, and high schools. All continue to explore and create exciting new work in their studios.
It’s on our Calendar!
CLICK HERE for more information on this special exhibition.
Les Allen | Left: “Proteus” | Right: “Psamath”
View the work of our visiting artists
Listed below are the latest participating Water Street Studio artists exhibiting their work at TNPS during the exhibition. Many of these folks will attend the opening reception on Friday, November 4, from 6-8 p.m. Take this opportunity to get to know them and their art!
The Phidian Art Club of Dixon presents Kevin Brown, jazz and classical guitarist, at its annual Musicale concert on Sunday, November 13, at 3:00 in the afternoon at The Next Picture Show gallery, 113 W. First. The concert is free and open to the public.
It’s a special day for a special person.
This year’s Musicale is dedicated to the memory of member Mary Ann Ferolo, who, in her life, shared her musical gifts for the healing and benefit of others.
This program of classical guitar music will consist of works by Francisco Tarrega, Isaac Albeniz, The Beatles, and more.
Meet Kevin Brown
A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Kevin Brown is a busy free-lance musician who holds teaching positions at Wheaton College Community School for the Arts and Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, IL, a Chicago suburb. He serves as director for the Institute for Jazz Studies at Bellas Artes School of Music and is also the director for the Northern Illinois Suzuki Guitar Institute. He holds a Bachelor’s in guitar performance from Wheaton College and a MM in Jazz Studies from DePaul University.
Kevin regularly plays as a solo performer and in small chamber groups. He has shared the stage with such jazz icons as Bobby Watson, Benny Golson, Phil Woods, and others. His primary guitar mentors have been Peter Ulrich, Willie Wiebe, David Letkemann, Larry Roy, Steve Ramsdell, and Bob Palmieri. Kevin lives with his wife and five children in Joliet, IL.
It will be a grand afternoon.
Mark your calendars for Nov. 13 at 3 p.m. Remember, all this wonderful music at no cost!
