Art

Two nature-themed art exhibits by Will County artists are now open at two Forest Preserve District of Will County visitor centers. A meet-the-artist event will be held Sunday in Channahon.

Fourteen locations around the Fox River Valley are participating in this year's Arts Ramble.

Hannah Beach, this summer’s Artist in Residence, will be teaching fun classes and coordinating art projects through June and July.

Discover Dixon will hold its annual Brush and Bloom event during the Petunia Festival from 9 a.m. to noon Friday, July 4, on the old Lee County Courthouse’s sidewalks, 298 to 200 S. Ottawa Ave., Dixon.

The exhibit features 68 individual art pieces that highlight the importance of agriculture in northern Illinois and will be on display through July 12.

The 2025 Arbor Day Poster Contest is designed to help young students develop an appreciation for nature, while contextualizing society’s harmony with the environment. This year’s theme was “Trees Plant a Cooler Future.”

Summer concerts in Downers Grove, farmers markets, a major art exhibition and a stage comedy gem are happening this weekend.

Inspiration from the everyday unorthodox were on display with more than 110 local, national, and international artists drawing in inquisitive art-show-goers along Riverside Avenue in downtown St. Charles on May 24 and 25.

Chicago and suburban museums have a wide variety of art exhibits on display throughout the summer.

Crystal Lake’s first public art piece funded by the city will be created by a local prominent artist and displayed in the center of a roundabout at Congress Parkway and Exchange Drive.

The students at Bureau County Special Schools (BEST) in Tiskilwa participated in an art class that focused on using art as a means of self-expression to explore emotions, thoughts, and creativity. This class challenged the students to think creatively, to confront and overcome mental hurdles with resilience, and build emotional empathy.

The June Brown Bag Lunch and Local Lore series at the Ellwood House Museum will feature a program on the story of history through artwork. Jubilee Artisans exhibition curator Ayanna Johnson will discuss how art creates space for diverse perspectives.

Some of the most powerful images ever captured of the animal kingdom are part of a special exhibition at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville.

The annual St. Charles Fine Arts Show will feature more than 110 local, national and international artists, as well as live music and activities for kids.

Programs will also include a film screening with the Chicago Film Archives, an evening of music in the galleries and sculpture-making workshop.

Take in local artistry while enjoying the outdoors at city parks or downtown areas of Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia.

The Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook is hosting an art exhibition by a Rhode Island artist who uses natural materials to create cuddly characters.

Decor & More is a home-based business in Rock Falls specializing in charmingly whimsical pre-made wooden signs, door hangers, shelf sitters, do-it-yourself kits and coffee mugs.

Owner Sonia Robinson opened the studio two months ago after deciding to downsize her former business, Primitive Frills, to spend more time doing what she loves, art.

The arboretum's 'Vivid Creature' exhibit features large, colorful sculptures of a deer, dragonfly, squirrel and more.

The Dunn Museum is unveiling a new gallery space this summer with “Alex Ross: Heroes & Villains,” a special exhibition spotlighting one of the most celebrated artists in comics.

Lake Villa District Library is proud to present “Fine Art in Pastel” by Darlene Bock as its Featured Artist Exhibit for May and June.

Morton Arboretum unveils its latest whimsical sculptures, while classical orchestras and choirs along with a Taylor Swift tribute shake up the musical scene, native plants buoy the environment and a walking murder mystery takes a Japanese twist.

Bluegrass Burger Bash Day at The Curator's Cafe in Joliet features a grass-fed bluegrass burger from Hauert Farms in Elwood along with live music from 5 to 7 p.m.

Choosing two of four art-making stations, students had the opportunity to build a 3D work, fold origami paper, create glowing works under a black light or form unique paintings with bubbles.

The banners will be put on display at Mt. St. Mary Park this summer.

Students exercised their creative side Friday, May 9, 2025, with a day of making art at St. Mary's School in Dixon.

Blue Moon Gallery is proud to announce “Visual Storytelling,” a new multimedia group exhibition featuring 22 artist members of the Chicago Women’s Caucus for Art.

Brushwood Center hosts its annual Mother Earth Market May 10 and 11, in honor of spring and Mother’s Day.

The exhibit features the colorful work of 49 artists from across Illinois.

A groundhog statue and bench is coming to Woodstock Square, close to the bandstand where Woodstock Willie prognosticates each Feb. 2.

The 41st Illinois Watercolor Society National Exhibition is on display at The Next Picture Show in Dixon until May 31.

The Next Picture Show in Dixon is hosting the 41st Illinois Watercolor Society National Exhibition. The art will be on display until May 31.

Art in Wilder Park and Lilac Time lead off festival fun, and there's also a DuPage and Cook lineup of hit rock bands, classical gems, kite flying and history tours.

Art in Wilder Park will be held May 3, 4 in Elmhurst

Open Lens XV is Gallery Seven in Lockport's annual juried show.

The Art in the Park Outdoor Art Gallery will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, at the RB&W District in Rock Falls.

Local artists to display their works at ENAG Art Gallery in Conover Square

Donna Smith earned her art degree from Northern Illinois University, where she worked for 32 years as a catalog editor and curriculum coordinator.

The St. Charles Art Council's community art project will feature hand painted banners in Mt. St. Mary's Park this summer.

The exhibition at the Cleve Carney Museum and McAninch Arts Center will feature a collection of 53 works of art and 13 artifacts from the Japanese Edo period that has never been seen in the U.S.

The event matches donated art from local residents with donors, all while raising funds to benefit Serenity Hospice and Home's patients and their families.

It was a packed house on Wednesday, April 9 for the Serenity Hospice and Home’s Fourth Annual Art Dash fundraiser, held at River’s Edge Experience, 103 S. First St., Oregon. The unique event provided attendees a fun way to choose local works of art while raising funds for the organization.

Twenty-five artists submitted 47 works in hopes of receiving the Myrtle Walgreen Best of Show Award.

The Phidian Art Club held its 76th art show and awards Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Loveland Community House in Dixon.

Held at the Loveland House, 513 W. Second St., in Dixon, organizers brought in submissions Monday to be included in the exhibit.

The show brought in 55 high school students submitting 88 pieces of work with mediums ranging from charcoal to ceramic and paint to pen.

Established in 1890 in Dixon, the Phidian Art Club is once again hosting its annual art show and awards. Awards will be presented April 3, starting at 6 p.m. Go to phidianartclub.com for more information.

The Next Picture Show in Dixon held its first student art show with an awards ceremony Friday, March 28, 2025, at the downtown gallery. Fifty-five high school students submitted works for the show.

Entertainment will range from a Margarita & Sangria Festival to comedy, an edgy play, a banjo great, Paint & Sip Night! and an exhibit paying tribute to inspiring Illinois pioneer women.