Awards handed out at Aqua Expressions opening reception

First-time exhibition

THE EXHIBIT RUNS October 27–November 25, 2023
During the artists’ reception on Friday, Nov. 3, guest judges Glenn and Tim Boles presented the awards for a brand-new art exhibition.

This show’s sponsor is Sauk Valley Properties.

The next juried art exhibition scheduled is Winter Scenes & Holiday Dreams. The show will run from Nov. 30 through Jan. 9, 2024.

The Aqua Expressions award recipients

Best of Show | “Whoope,” Photography | Bob Logsdon, Dixon, IL

First Place | “Reefs,” Mixed Media | Ellen Mumford, Dixon, IL

Second Place | “Swell Day,” Acrylic | Kelly Broitman of Sterling, IL

Third Place | “Light up Coast,” Watercolor | Dick Cholke of Pecatonica, IL

Honorable Mention | “Sunset in Treasure,” Soft Pastel | Mary Howe of Oregon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Sea Dragon,” Alcohol Ink | Kaleb Lee of Barbara Lundeen of Dixon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Water under the Bridge,” Acrylic | Perry Paglia of Dixon, IL

Awards presented for Farms & Barns Exhibition

A popular exhibition opens in Dixon

THE EXHIBIT RUNS September 8-October 19, 2023
During the artists’ reception on Friday, Sept. 15, Carolyn Lee McKee-Freese, art educator, and the show’s guest judge, presented the awards for this year’s Farms & Barns art exhibition.

This show’s sponsor is the Lee County Farm Bureau.

The next juried art exhibition scheduled is Aqua Expressions: Artistic Reflections of Water. The show will run Oct. 27-Nov. 25, 2023.

The Farms & Barns award recipients

Best of Show | “After the Storm,” Watercolor | David Gregory of Peoria, IL

First Place | “Saturday in Farm Country,” Acrylic | Janice Conkrite

Second Place | “Day Off,” Photography | Bob Logsdon of Grand Detour, IL

Third Place | “Two Ponytails and a Cowboy Hat,” Watercolor | Jan July of Belvidere, IL

Honorable Mention | “Midwest Summer,” Pastel | Darcy Doiel of Atlantis, FL

Honorable Mention | “Miracle,” Photography | Kaleb Lee of Franklin Grove, IL

Honorable Mention | “Old Renne Farm,” Acrylic | Lucinda Winterfield of Dixon, IL

Awards presented for Absolutely Abstract Exhibition

A new show of abstract art opened in Dixon

THE EXHIBIT RUNS July 21 – September 2, 2023
During the artists’ reception on Friday, July 28, Chloe Metz, Oregon artist and the show’s guest judge, presented the awards for this year’s Absolutely Abstract art exhibition. After the award presentation, TNPS’ new executive director, Letha Catalina, was introduced. Catalina starts her position on August 8.

This show’s sponsors are Ellen and Carl Mumford.

The Absolutely Abstract award recipients

Best of Show | “The Summer of 2020,” Acrylic | Perry Paliga of Dixon, IL

First Place | “Kaleidoscope,” Acrylic Mixed Media| Jayne Rose of Dixon, IL

Second Place | “Every Day is Undone #9,” Photographer | John Wildman of Dixon, IL

Third Place | “Woman with Child,” Cold Wax Medium and Oil | Kent Broadbent of Annawan, IL

Honorable Mention| “Urban Renewal,” Collage and Acrylic | Debbie Thompson of Dixon, IL

Opening reception | Absolutely Abstract

Friday, December 1 @ 11:16 am

Runs 6-8 p.m. | Awards announced around 7 p.m.
Enjoy a night in downtown Dixon. This evening provides a chance to mingle with the artists, view all the original art, listen to live music, and have a beverage or two.

LEARN MORE about this exhibition.

This show’s judge

information to come

Tonight’s entertainment

information to come

Sponsored by…

This show’s sponsors are Ellen and Carl Mumford.

815-285-4924

Awards presented for The Human Form Exhibition

Opening night brings out the community

THE EXHIBIT RUNS JUNE 2-JULY 15, 2023
During the artists’ reception on Friday, June 9, Amy Sikyta, TNPS executive director, presented the awards for this year’s The Human Form art exhibition. Debra Cleary, artist and art educator, served as the guest judge for this exhibition.

Axiom Wealth Management of Dixon, IL sponsors the Human Form Art Exhibition. 

The Human Form Award recipients

Best of Show | “Hands & Arms Story,” Black & White Charcoals | Ryan Jandrey of Dixon, IL

First Place | “Everyday Is Undone #7,” Photography | Jon Wildman of Dixon, IL

Second Place | “Exit Stage Left,” Oils | Dale Tulk of Ashton, IL

Third Place | “Aquarius Water Bearer Pin Up Girl #2,” Oils | Kitto of Dixon, IL

Honorable Mention | “Sleep John Estes,” White Pencil on Black Paper | Matt Jagitsch of Sterling, IL

Honorable Mention| “Valkyrie,” Mixed Media Acrylic | Whitley Cuevas of Sterling, IL

Honorable Mention| “What She Wants,” Graphite on Oils | Lorena Malm of Spring Valley, IL

Farms & Barns Exhibition

Friday, December 1 @ 11:16 am

The Next Picture Show (TNPS) presents The Farms & Barn Show—one of the fine arts center’s most popular annual exhibits. The exhibit runs from September 8 through October 19.

This show features work that explores our rich farm region’s culture by highlighting the many old buildings, wide-open pastures, farm equipment, livestock, creeks, and streams that can be recorded in individual artwork styles.

This is an all-media exhibition of both 2-D and 3-D original work.

OPENING RECEPTION & AWARDS
Sept. 15, 2023, 6-8 p.m

For Artists

CLICK HERE for an application. The entry deadline is Aug. 26.

Sponsored by

Lee County Farm Bureau is this exhibition’s sponsor.

Guest judge

Carolyn McKee-Freese, of Dixon, is this exhibition’s guest judge.

For 24 years, Carolyn Lee McKee-Freese served the public school system with honor, devotion, and skill. Having the opportunity to teach was a dream come true, as she loves sharing knowledge with others. She prepared for her endeavors by earning a Bachelor of Education from North Illinois University in 1969 and becoming a certified teacher in Illinois. The degrees propelled Ms. McKee-Freese to become an art teacher at Simmons Junior High School immediately following graduation, where she stayed for three years. After that, she worked as a substitute teacher at Moose Heart School for a year and as an art teacher at Yorkville District High School for 20 years.

Although Ms. McKee-Freese has since left the public sector, she remains committed to education. She currently uses her background and expertise as a private contractor in the education department of the Chicago Field Museum, where she has been since 2002, and as the visual art curriculum developer for Yorkville District 115, where she has been since 1990. She also holds memberships with the Illinois Art Education Association, the Illinois Artisans Program, and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.​ Over the years, Ms. McKee-Freese has found a variety of mediums through which she can express herself in addition to academia. She has published artwork in exhibitions at the Norris Gallery, the Ironwood Gallery of the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum, the Sprague Gallery, Aurora University, the James R. Thompson Center Atrium, and the New York State Museum in Albany, among other places. She was also an art contributor to the Life Over Time Exhibit at the Chicago Field Museum and was an art show judge at regional shows and fairs. Further, Ms. McKee-Freese has been published in Nature Magazine, Natural History Magazine, and the British Journal of Paleontology.

She has authored the likes of “A Popular Guide to the Nature and the Environment of the Fossil Vertebrates of New York” and “Papers in Paleontology.” In recognition of her achievements, Ms. McKee-Freese received a variety of accolades. She was named Teacher of the Year by Yorkville High School students in 2006 and 2007, Most Influential Educator for several years between 1996 and 2007, and Educator of the Month by Coco-Cola Co. in 1995. Further, Ms. McKee-Freese was honored to be featured in numerous editions of Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, and Who’s Who of American Women.

815-285-4924

Kids’ Tie Dye Fun

Friday, December 1 @ 11:16 am

Be sure to register by June 27

This fun event occurs at John Dixon Park in Dixon (venue information is below) during the “Nuts About Art Show on July 1, 2023.

Have fun in Dixon Park, creating your festive red, white, and blue tie-dyed creation (see image below).

This is the design we are creating!

For kids ages 4 to 18

This creative and fun event is for children ages 4 to 18 years. Any child under 10 years must have adult supervision. The only thing participants need to bring is their pre-washed T-shirt. All other supplies are provided.*

* This program is partially funded by a grant from the United Way.

Cost

This class is only $3 per child. Pre-registration is required. No registrations will be accepted after June 27.

Pick the time that works for you!

This event has three timeslots that are approximately 1 hour each. Choose from 11 a.m., 12 p.m., or 1 p.m. Be sure to check the time you want on the registration form.

Registration Form

815-285-4924

Zentangle Workshop

Friday, December 1 @ 11:16 am

Workshop details

The Zentangle method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. These patterns are called tangles. You create tangles with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves, and orbs. Join instructor Becky Hage as she instructs students on how to learn this wonderfully relaxing technique.

Ages

Participants need to be 13 and up.

What is Zentangle?

Zentangle is an American method for drawing, which not only promotes concentration and creativity but at the same time increases personal well-being. Zentangle was invented by a monk named Rick Roberts and an artist named Maria Thomas. With Zentangle they created a combination of meditation and art. This drawing method is suitable for beginners and passionate hobby artists.

What is so special about Zentangle?
Zentangle – that means there are no given templates. No ready-made solutions. Instead, the zentangle patterns are set with caution. When drawing Zentangles, you can even easily create completely new patterns.

Cost

$20 members | $25 non-members

Registration Form

815-285-4924

Fused Glass Trinket Tray Workshop

Friday, December 1 @ 11:16 am

Create a keepsake

Valerie Butcher, Curator of the Corner Gallery in Sterling, Illinois, has over 20 years of experience in creating fused glass. Learn from her as you design your own trinket tray to cherish.

Students will learn the basics of creating their personal masterpieces. Valerie will fire the projects and return them to TNPS on June 28 for student pick-up.

Tuition is $30 for TNPS members and $35 for non-members.

Ages

Participants need to be 10 years old and up. An adult must accompany students under 13.

Class size

The minimum class size is four people.

Refunds

Refunds will only be given if the class size minimum number is not met or the participant cancels by June 8.

Registration Form

Students need to register by June 8.

815-285-4924

“Spring Begins” Barn Painting Class

Friday, December 1 @ 11:16 am

Paint a beautiful barn in oils!

Nina Stachewicz is from Freeport and teaches art classes locally.

All supplies are included in this one-day class. Stachewicz provides instruction on oil painting techniques. Students will create an oil painting on an 8″ x 10″ canvas of a spring barn scene.

Ages

Participants need to be 12 years old and up.

Class size

The minimum class size is five people, with a maximum of 15 people.

Refunds

Refunds will only be given if the class size minimum number is not met or the participant cancels by May 9. After May 9, no refund will be given.

Registration Form

Students need to register by May 9.

815-285-4924

Our Sponsors

United Way of Lee County Illinois
Dixon Chamber Logo
Illinois Arts Council Agency
NEA logo
Ksb Logo
Sauk Valley Bank Logo

Support Our Mission in the Arts

Donate Now