Calling all nature lovers with an artistic flare! We invite photographers, painters, textile artisans and 3D artists to display works that depict the spender of nature. We will feature The Nachusa Grasslands. With over 5,000 acres, a few miles east of our gallery, it offers endless opportunities to capture all the natural beauty that our area provides. We look forward to this exciting new exhibition!
Runs September 17th to October 18th.
Opening Reception
The opening reception and artist award ceremony will take place on September 19th from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
We will provide light refreshments and a cash bar.
Judge
TBA
Sponsor
TBA
For Artists | Entry Form
This is a juried exhibition! Artists must download an entry form and email their submission pieces to [email protected]. Upon submission, artists are required to include a non-refundable jury fee. TNPS will review all submissions to ensure they align with our guidelines and the exhibition criteria.
Each artist may submit up to 3 entries. TNPS reserves the right to select all pieces or choose those that best fit the show’s theme. The entry deadline is Sept 17.
Entry deadline | September 13th, 2025 Deliver artwork to TNPS | by September 13th, 2025 Opens to the public | September 17th, 2025 Awards reception | September 19, 2025, 6-8 p.m. Artwork pickup at TNPS | beginning October 18, 2025
Welcome back to the popular Barns and Farms Exhibition. We look forward to displaying your celebration of the beautiful surrounding area and all vistas that inspire a love of the open land. Interior, still life and and animal depictions are beloved by all who enjoy this show.
Runs August 13th to Sept 13th.
Opening Reception
The opening reception and artist award ceremony will take place on August 15th from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
We will provide light refreshments and a cash bar.
Judge
TBA
Sponsor
TBA
For Artists | Entry Form
This is a juried exhibition! Artists must download an entry form and email their submission pieces to [email protected]. Upon submission, artists are required to include a non-refundable jury fee. TNPS will review all submissions to ensure they align with our guidelines and the exhibition criteria.
Each artist may submit up to 3 entries. TNPS reserves the right to select all pieces or choose those that best fit the show’s theme. The entry deadline is Aug 9.
Entry deadline | August 9, 2025 Deliver artwork to TNPS | by August 9, 2025 Opens to the public | August 13, 2025 Awards reception | August 15, 2025, 6-8 p.m. Artwork pickup at TNPS | beginning Sept 13, 2025
WELCOME BACK ABSTRACTS and WELCOME TO THE NEW EXHIBITION: THE POWER OF WORDS
Abstract: This exhibit explores artists who push the bounds of their artwork through abstraction. We are seeking work with fresh perspectives, bold colors, dynamic forms, and textures. We invite you to submit 2-D and 3-D work that captures this essence and energy. The Power of Words: The Power of Words invites artists to find al fusion between word and visual arts. We challenge artists to find new ways of expression within their work, whether that be the introduction of book arts, collage, poetry, word art, spoken word, and much more. This is an all-media exhibition of both 2-D and 3-D original work. (If an artist chooses to include direct text from other media in their work, such as a song, book, film, etc. the work must be cited upon entry.)
This show will explore two powerful forms of expression. We invite artists to create pieces that will inspire with words and images. We are looking forward to viewing your positive and thoughtful creations for the exhibition.
Opening Reception
The opening reception will occur July 11th 3rd from 6:00–8:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, with a CASH BAR available during the reception.
Judges and Sponsors
TBA
For Artists | Entry Form
This is a juried exhibition! Artists must download an entry form and email their submission pieces to [email protected]. Upon submission, artists are required to include a non-refundable jury fee. TNPS will review all submissions to ensure they align with our guidelines and the exhibition criteria.
Each artist may submit up to 3 entries. TNPS reserves the right to select all pieces or choose those that best fit the show’s theme.
Cover Art: Winner of the 40th Illinois Watercolor Society Exhibition for Award of Excellence I. Janet Doll, IWS Rossini’s Last Opera.
IWS IS BACK!
The Next Picture Show is excited to once again host the Illinois Watercolor Society for their 41st Illinois Watercolor National Exhibition. This show features talented artwork by artists from the USA, Canada, and beyond!
Interested in entering? IWS has its own entry and application process. Click here to learn more. The deadline to apply for this show is March 10th.
Juror of Selection and Awards: John Salminen
John Salminen is a signature member of numerous prestigious art societies in the United States, including AWS, NWS, and TWSA. He is also a member of the China and Australia societies and is the President Emeritus of the International Masters of Watercolor Association in Shanghai, China. He has won over 290 awards in national and international exhibitions!
The opening reception will occur Saturday, May 3rd from 1:00–4:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, with a CASH BAR available during the reception.
About the Illinois Watercolor Society
The Illinois Watercolor Society was established in 1981, and the first exhibition took place in 1982 at Glenview, Illinois. Today, with over 190 members, IWS sponsors both a national show and a members’ invitational exhibit. IWS has also partnered with the Oak Brook Library and holds four meetings that feature demonstrations by nationally recognized artists, which are free and open to the public.
Cover Art: Winner of the 40th Illinois Watercolor Society Exhibition for Award of Excellence I. Janet Doll, IWS Rossini’s Last Opera.
IWS IS BACK!
The Next Picture Show is excited to once again host the Illinois Watercolor Society for their 41st Illinois Watercolor National Exhibition. This show features talented artwork by artists from the USA, Canada, and beyond!
Interested in entering? IWS has its own entry and application process. Click here to learn more. The deadline to apply for this show is March 10th.
Juror of Selection and Awards: John Salminen
John Salminen is a signature member of numerous prestigious art societies in the United States, including AWS, NWS, and TWSA. He is also a member of the China and Australia societies and is the President Emeritus of the International Masters of Watercolor Association in Shanghai, China. He has won over 290 awards in national and international exhibitions!
The opening reception will occur Saturday, May 3rd from 1:00–4:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, with a CASH BAR available during the reception.
About the Illinois Watercolor Society
The Illinois Watercolor Society was established in 1981, and the first exhibition took place in 1982 at Glenview, Illinois. Today, with over 190 members, IWS sponsors both a national show and a members’ invitational exhibit. IWS has also partnered with the Oak Brook Library and holds four meetings that feature demonstrations by nationally recognized artists, which are free and open to the public.
Cover Art: Winner of the 40th Illinois Watercolor Society Exhibition for Award of Excellence I. Janet Doll, IWS Rossini’s Last Opera.
Runs 1–4 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon filled with talented artists from the USA, Canada, and beyond. The show runs May 1–May 31, 2025, at The Next Picture Show (TNPS) in Dixon, Illinois.
A CASH BAR with soft drinks, beer, and wine is available during this event.
Runs 6–8 p.m. | Awards announced around 7 p.m. Enjoy a night filled with talented student artists from around the area. Celebrate with family, friends, teachers, artists, and students, while enjoying some light snacks, and viewing incredible work!
Scroll to the bottom to download the entry from ⬇️
The Next Picture Show is excited to offer its first Student Art Show! This exhibition is open to high school freshman through seniors. We want to showcase what young artists are creating, and provide a space for them to sell their artwork! This is a chance for students to exhibit their work in a one month exhibition.
We encourage artists to submit 2-D, 3-D, digital, and video work!Artists can submit up to 3 entries completely FREE (thanks to our awesome sponsor Ken Nelson Auto Group of Dixon, IL). Any questions or concerns regarding entires can be emailed to [email protected] and [email protected]. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
This exhibition will be judged! This provides students with an opportunity to win cash prizes and ribbons. For students curious or passionate about a future in the arts, entering exhibitions (and receiving awards) can be great resume and college application builder.
Interested in selling a piece? Students entering can list a sale price with their artwork. TNPS will take 25% commission of the sale (this is common among artists exhibiting in galleries). If your interested in selling your work, please price accordingly. Some things to take into consideration are the cost of supplies and time spent working on the piece.
ALL STUDENT ARTISTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENTER. Whether a student is enrolled in an art class or not, we want to see you enter. Tell other young artists in grades 9–12 who might be interested!
Judge
Our guest judge for this exhibition is the talented artist and art educator, Glenn Bodish! He is currently an Associate Professor and the Gallery Director at Sauk Valley Community College in Dixon, IL. Bodish offers a variety of foundational courses such as 3-D Design Foundations, Life Drawing I, and Oil Painting I.
Sponsor
This show is sponsored by Ken Nelson Auto Group of Dixon, IL! With their generous sponsorship, students are able to enter the Student Art Show at no cost.
Opening Reception
Our opening reception will take place Friday, March 28th from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at The Next Picture Show. This is a night to celebrate your art with friends, family, teachers, local artists, and students! There will be music, light snacks, and awards will be announced at 7:00 p.m.
For Students | Entry Form
Artists must download an entry form and email their submission to [email protected]. TNPS will review all submissions to ensure they align with our guidelines and the exhibitions criteria. Each artist may submit up to 3 entries. The entry deadline is March 14th, 2025. We look forward to receiving your submissions!
Entry deadline | March 14, 2025 Deliver artwork to TNPS | by March 15, 2025 Opens to the public | March 26, 2025 Awards reception | March 28, 2024, 6-8 p.m. Artwork pickup at TNPS | beginning April 26, 2025
Runs 6–8 p.m. | Awards announced around 7 p.m. Enjoy a night immersed in desaturated art and design. Browse a collection of work from a gray lens at this wonderful exhibition. Throughout the night mingle with artists, have a beverage or two, and view some incredible artwork.
The Next Picture Show is pleased to welcome back Shades of Gray, a dazzling show captured in grayscale. For this exhibition, we invite artists to submit 2-D and 3-D works created entirely in black, white, and gray mediums.
Opening Reception
Our opening reception and artist award ceremony will take place February 21st from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Judge
Our guest judge for the event will be the talented, Carolyn McKee-Freese!
Sponsor
Our wonderful sponsor for Shades of Gray is RiverWorks Coworking of Dixon, IL!
For Artists | Entry Form
This is a juried exhibition! Artists must download an entry form and email their submission pieces to [email protected]. Upon submission, artists are required to include a non-refundable jury fee. TNPS will review all submissions to ensure they align with our guidelines and the exhibitions criteria.
Each artist may submit up to 3 entries. TNPS reserves the right to select all pieces or choose those that best fit the show’s theme. The entry deadline is February 14th. We look forward to receiving your submissions!
