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.
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 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!
Runs 6–8 p.m. | Awards announced around 7 p.m. Enjoy a night immersed in original artwork from Sauk Valley area artists. Throughout the night mingle with artists, have a beverage or two, and view some incredible artwork.
Exhibition runs Jan. 15 – Feb. 15 | Cover Art by Craig Carpenter
REGIONAL SURVEY IS BACK 🎨🧭
The Next Picture Show presents the 20th Regional Survey of Art, the longest-running and most popular art exhibit at TNPS since our opening in 2004.
The 20th Regional Survey of Art Show focuses on the work of area artists and seeks to identify current trends in the Rock River Valley art world. In the past years, this show has juried 90+ pieces of artwork. The show features 2D and 3D media.
As always, TNPS is excited and proud to provide a place where artists from the area can gather to present their incredible talents. This is our one show of the year with no predetermined theme, artists can showcase what they’ve been up to and they ultimately curate the theme of our show! Artists looking to enter can find the entry form at the bottom of the page.
Judge
Our judges for this show will be fantastic father/son duo Glenn & Tim Boles!
Sponsor
This show is sponsored by Hicks Insurance Agency & Associates, Inc. of Dixon, IL!
Opening Reception
Save the date….our opening reception will take place January 17th from 6–8 PM at The Next Picture Show!
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 January 10th. We look forward to receiving your submissions!
Exhibition runs Dec. 5 – Jan. 11 The Next Picture Show is pleased to welcome back a hit show from last year! Winter Scenes & Holiday Dreams is back and will be presented at The Next Picture Show.
Winter Scenes & Holiday Dreams captures the beauty and magic of the holiday season. From snowy paths to fresh pine and the glimmering lights of the season, artists are encouraged to submit both 2-D and 3-D work that captures the whimsy of winter.
Artists looking to enter can find the entry form at the bottom of the page. Due to the popularity of the exhibition, artists will be limited to two entries for the show.
Sponsorship
This show is sponsored by Ehrmann Gehlbach Badger & Considine, LLC of Dixon, IL.
Judge
Our judge for the event is artist and art educator Debbie Thompson!
Opening Reception
Mark your calendar because our opening reception will take place December 13th from 6–8 p.m. at The Next Picture Show!
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. Notifications of TNPS decisions will be sent to artists no later than November 29th.
Each artist may submit up to 2 pieces. TNPS reserves the right to select all pieces or choose those that best fit the show’s theme. Our email will specify which works have been chosen. The entry deadline is November 29th. We look forward to receiving your submissions!
Exhibition runs Oct. 24-Nov. 30 The Next Picture Show is pleased to announce a brand new sculptural show. Heavy Metal will run from October 24th through November 30th. This exhibition will be presented at The Next Picture Show and showcase dynamic and bold pieces.
Heavy Metal features talented artists whose innovative and experimental works are crafted from various mediums. Artists are encouraged to explore abstract and figurative works formed from steel, iron, bronze, aluminum, and more. This is a new show you won’t want to miss!
Our show is open to 3-D pieces only. Artists looking to enter can find the entry form at the bottom of the page.
Sponsorship
Tri Star Metals sponsors this exhibition out of Freeport, Illinois!
Judge
Artist Perry Paliga judges the Heavy Metal Show and the Absolutely Abstract Show.
Opening Reception
Our opening reception will occur November 1 from 6–8 PM at The Next Picture Show!
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. Notifications of TNPS decisions will be sent to artists no later than October 18th.
Each artist may submit up to 3 pieces. TNPS reserves the right to select all 3 pieces or choose those that best fit the show’s theme. Our email will specify which works have been chosen. The entry deadline is October 18th. We look forward to receiving your submissions!
THE EXHIBITION RUNS Friday, April 5th until Friday, April 26th During the artists’ reception on Friday, April 5th, guest judge presented the awards for the 75th Phidian Art Show.
THE EXHIBITION RUNS February 22nd, 2024–March 30th 2024 During the artists’ reception on Friday, March 1st, guest judge Heather Baker presented the awards for our Shades of Gray Exhibition with an audience of over a hundred.
This exhibition is sponsored by Ken Nelson Auto Group of Dixon, IL.
Shades of Gray – Award Recipients
Best of Show | “At the Sea Shore,” Acrylic on canvas | Kelly Broitman, Sterling, IL
First Place | “Twilight,” Film photography on gelatin silver print | Les Allen, Dixon, IL
Les Allen (Right) talking about his winning piece with our judge, Heather Baker(Left).
Second Place | “S. L. L. 7/30/2022,” Photography | Jon Wildman of Dixon, IL
Third Place | “Jamaal,” Graphite, carbon pencil, and charcoal powder | Ryan Jandry of Dixon, IL
Honorable Mention | “Repetition,” Oil | Laurie Friemuth of Oregon, IL
Honorable Mention | “Finding My Light” Oil | Michelle Jagitsch of Sterling, IL
Honorable Mention | “Home Sweet Home” Photography | Bob Logsdon of Dixon, IL