This event is presented by The Radar Free Press & Sauk Creative Writers Group.
TNPS is hosting an exciting event for writers and artists in the area! Join SCWG and The Radar Free Press for their Chapter & Verse Open Mic Night. This event will be held Friday, April 11th from 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Experience the power of spoken words! Local artists will be sharing their stories, poems, songs, and more. It is sure to be a night filled with creativity and inspiration, whether you’re sharing or listening. Plus, this is a completely free event to attend and participate in.
If you’re unable to attend the event don’t fret, the Open Mic night will be recorded by The Radar Free Press, and published as part of their local video podcast, Along the Rock.
Interested in Participating?
Organizers recommend preregistering for the event, but it is not required. Those who participate will receive a 10-minute time slot to share their voice with the crowd.
The historic Village of Grand Detour welcomes you to one of the oldest art festivals in Illinois.
“Annual event attracts large crowds of art lovers and return patrons. Your artwork is enhanced by the beautiful grounds, picturesque gardens and music throughout the day. Truly a UNIQUE setting unlike any other arts festival.”
The 76th Grand Detour Arts Festival is back! If you’re an interested artist download the entry form below. All rules and regulations can be found in the entry form. Further questions regarding the festival can be sent to [email protected].
The Next Picture Show (TNPS) presents the annual Nuts About Art outdoor art show on Saturday, July 5, at John Dixon Park, located at 515 N. Galena Ave., Dixon, IL. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A Highlight of the Petunia Festival
The Petunia Festival brings lots of folks to Dixon every summer and this art show is a must-see for visitors and locals alike. Awards for top categories are presented at 2 p.m.
Dozens of fine artists from Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin are on hand presenting their original handcrafted works of art, including paintings, metal sculpture, pottery, clay, gourd art, stained glass, photography, carved wood, jewelry, baskets, yard art, and more.
Visit with artists from all over the midwest while shopping for beautiful original artwork.
Judge TBA
For artists:
Interested in joining our 44th Nuts About Art? Download an entry form and check out all the details. Deadline to enter is June 13th, 2025. Entry forms can either be mailed directly to TNPS or emailed to [email protected].
Exciting Grant Opportunity for Illinois Artists 💵🎨
TNPS has been notified by the Illinois Arts Council that there is an exciting grant opportunity for Illinois artists! The IAC Creative Accelerator Fund is now open and accepting applications. This grant offers artists 21+ the chance of a $10,000 award to use towards their creative practice.
TNPS is hosting an informational workshop with our IAC Regional Program Director, Danielle Heal.
This workshop will be one hour, and gives an overview of the agency and available grant opportunities for individual artists. They will also provide details on how to apply to grants. At the end of the program, there will be lots of time to ask questions and find out how artists can utilize IAC recourses!
It’s highly encouraged to RSVP and we also want to mention that it costs nothing to attend this informational workshop!
Please, don’t miss the chance to apply for this awesome grant! The deadline for the IAC Creative Accelerator Fund is Wednesday, April 9th, 2025. Click the link below to apply or to find more information.
TNPS hosts the Dixon Poetry Experience, where everyone is welcome and it’s completely FREE to attend. Enjoy a fun and casual evening of poetry, whether you read, listen, or share! No pressure–just enjoy the many forms of poetry and spoken word.
Wine and beverages will be available.
No sign up is necessary to attend. Stop by any night on the schedule and you’re in!
The Next Picture Show would like to welcome M.A.D. (Making A Difference) Artist Society!
M.A.D. Artist Society is a nonprofit run by Amy Bailey. She aims to create group art projects that will enrich the community. TNPS is excited to collaborate with Amy to offer this awesome art course to children, high school students, and adults. If you’re looking for a class that can offer you the opportunity to learn how to paint and complete a fun portrait, then you’re in luck!
“Create a colorful self-portrait that represents your talents, interests, and ambitions using corrugated cardboard and house paint.” (Instructor Sample Below)
This is a 6-week course offered April 5th through May 10th on Saturdays.
We will offer two sections of this course:
For High School students and adults: Saturday from 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m.
For Kids 10–13: Saturdays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Tuition for this 6-week course: $65 (Materials will be supplied!)
Instructor: Amy R. Bailey
Interested in Signing Up?
If you’d like to join this 6-week course please call us at 815-285-4924 or stop by TNPS and we’ll get you signed up. The deadline to sign up for our course is April 2nd, 2025. The maximum number of students in each session is 12. We will notify if the classes become full and if we are no longer accepting students.
The Next Picture Show is excited to announce a new exhibition to our 2025 catalogue, Emotions in Color! For this exhibition, we invite artists to submit 2-D and 3-D works exploring the use of color to share narratives. Artists may be inclined to use vivid colors to represent memories, emotions, and stories. However, we challenge artists to explore what color means for their piece of artwork.
Opening Reception
Our opening reception and artist award ceremony will take place June 20th from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
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 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 May 30th. We look forward to receiving your submissions!
Entry deadline | May 30, 2025 Deliver artwork to TNPS | by May 30/31, 2025 Opens to the public | June 4, 2025 Awards reception | June 20, 2025, 6-8 p.m. Artwork pickup at TNPS | beginning July 3, 2025
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 their 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. Salminen is a member of 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 take place 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 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.
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
or to find more information. 
