overhanging clouds and bone-chilling dampness, Southern Illinois artists are setting up exhibits and plan
ning for upcoming spring and summer festivals.
Anna Arts Center Begins its Third Year
Joanne Blakley, director of the Anna Arts Center, said the organization began several years ago as
a writer’s group that met regularly at the Stinson Library until that space became too small.
The group then went to the city of Anna with a proposal. They would buy the old city hall and
firestation on West Davie Street, which had been sitting empty for about six years, and restore
them for use as a writing and literacy center. They were able to purchase both buildings for $10
with the caveat that the buildings would house an arts center and include visual and performing
arts.
With a considerable amount of elbow grease from many volunteers, the buildings have fresh new
facades and inviting interiors.
Anna Arts Center, located at 125 W. Davie St. recently acquired an adjoining church building which
it converted to “The Master’s Center” for stage presentations.
Some of the events held at the Master’s Center in the past included the Blackwood Brothers Gospel
Group, an a cappela du-op band and several very popular “Your Stage” events, where members of the
community are invited to perform.
Blakley is preparing for the Civil War Weekend of Union County, an event co-sponsored by the
Shawnee Hills Arts Council and P.A.S.T., a Union County organization dedicated to preserving the
area’s historic buildings,, on Feb. 10, 11 and 12. More information about this event follows
below.
In April, the center is planning a dinner theater with Brian Caraker, a locally well-known singer
who will present “A Night with Sinatra.”
“Brian sings Sinatra better than Sinatra,” Blakley said.
Other programs the Arts Center promotes are classes in art, guitar, singing, acting and writing.
Blakley said a live model painting class taught by several local artists is in the works.
She said a book club will also be forming in the near future. The art center offers books for sale,
many of which are classics or out-of print.
The Center houses the works of several local visual artists, including Nancy Young, Carol Dooley,
Dave O’Melia, Kenneth Burnside and Abraham Hunter.
For more information about the programs at Anna Arts Center, call (618) 697-6285.
Civil War Weekend in Union County
Two Union County organizations will be presenting a series of activities to commemorate the 150th
anniversary of the Civil War.
The Shawnee Hills Art Council at the Anna Arts Center and the PAST organization of Union County
plan to sponsor a Civil War Weekend Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10-12. The events will be
held at the Anna Arts Center and the Masters Center, 125 W. Davie St., Anna, Ill.
Events include a Civil War history exhibit contest, the annual Lincoln Legacy Dinner with special
guest speaker s Dr. Lynn Steveson and recently neamed Illinois state history teacher of the year
Darrel Dexter and a musical pre- sentation of “Lincoln: The Life and Times.”
In addition to the speakers listed previously, author Mike Estel of Anna will discuss his recent
books, “Love Until the End” and “Civil War Tale: The Last Hope,” Mike Jones, curator and director
of the General John A. Logan Museum in Murphysboro, will present a documentary of Civil
War stories and Dr. Susan Sitter Whitemountain will talk about her experiences of finding civil
war camps near Anna and how she prepared a map of their locations.
For a complete listing of activities, visit http://www.pastonline.org/ or call Lee Hackney at
618-833-6525.
February Events
LEAA High School Art Show
When: Jan. 16 – Feb. 19
Where: Little Egypt Art Centre, 601 Tower Square,
Marion
Description: LEAA hosts an annual competition for regional high school students. LEAA will also be
showcasing the exhibit during the Marion Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” program on
Thursday, Feb. 2 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Awards will be presented at a reception on Sunday, Feb. 19
at 2 p.m. The public is invited to attend. For more information contact Jeri Palmer at (618)
993-2564.
SIUC School of Art and Design Visiting Artist
Program
When: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Feb. 1-3
Where: SIUC University Museum Auditorium
Description: Sheila Stewart-Leach, Curator/Gallery Coordinator for Averitt Center for the Arts,
Statesboro, GA and oil painter Larry Leach, an outreach artist for ColArt America will be the
featured speakers. On his website, www.larryleachart.com,
Leach said his favorite themes are “the strong light of dawn and the last strong rays of sunset.”
The program is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.artanddesign.siuc.edu
or call (618) 453-4315.
18 Tigers Art Show
When: Feb. 1 - 29
Where: First Floor Rotunda Morris Library, 605 Agri-
culture Drive, SIU Campus, Carbondale
An exhibit of art inspired by the killing of the 18 rare tigers in October opens at Morris Library
at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. More than 15 local artists (and one group of
children) demonstrate how the extinction of tigers charges them emotionally, changes their
perspectives, and inspires them to do good works.
The show runs throughout February. The grand opening is Friday, Feb. 3 from 6 - 8 p.m. For more
information, call 618-453-4097 or email bmartell@ lib.siu.ed.
LEAA Art Exhibit: Celebrating Southern
Illinois Diversity
When: Feb. 13 – March 31
Where: Little Egypt Art Centre, 601 Tower Square,
Marion
Description: Different cultures and occupations of people who call southern Illinois home are the
themes of this multi-media art exhibit. For more information, visit www.littleegyptarts.com or
call (618) 998-8530.
SIUC Valentine’s Day Craft Sale
When: Tuesday, Feb. 14 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Where: SIUC Student Center Art Gallery, First
Floor Description: The Valentine’s Day Craft Sale fits the
bill for those last minute shoppers, including students, faculty and the community-at-large who are
searching for the perfect gift for their valentine.
Application deadline for booth space is Feb. 9, 2012.
For more information, visit http://www.siucstudentcenter.org or call (618) 453-3636.
“Is it still rare for disabled arts to reach
‘mainstream’?”
This was the topic of a recent “You’ve Cott Mail” newsletter. Thomas Cott, a self-described “news
junkie” compiles a provocative and informative weekly newsletter covering items of interest to
professionals in the arts. For more information and to sign up for his free newsletter, visit
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze1k115/id2.html.
2012 Regional Art Shows
Following is a list of regional art and craft shows for
2012. This list is intended to be used as a planning
guide only, and may not be complete. I’ll provide
updated information in subsequent newsletters as
it becomes available. Please check websites or con-
tact the event planners for further details.
Makanda Spring Fest
When: Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6
Where: Downtown Makanda
For more information visit the website at www.villageofmakanda.com/events.html or email Janelle
Weber at makandainn@gmail.com.
HerrinFesta Italiana 2012 Art Exhibition
When: Thursday – Monday, May 24 - 28
Where: HerrinFesta Italiana Art gallery, 3 South Park
Avenue, Herrin
For more information visit www.herrinfesta.com , or
call Little Egypt Arts Association (618) 998-8530
Fourth Annual Town and Country Days Art Show
When: August 25th – September 16th
Where: Eldorado Memorial Library, Eldorado, IL
For more information, contact Janet Bixler by phone at (618) 273-9596 or by email at magic124@shaw-
neelink.net.
Shawnee Hills Wine Trail Fall Festival
When: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 1 and 2
Where: Downtown Park, Cobden
For information visit www.shawneewinetrail.com
Cedarhurst Craft Fair
When: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 8 and 9
Where: Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, 2600 Richview Rd., Mt. Vernon
For information, visit http://www.cedarhurst.org or
call (618) 242-1236
Murphysboro Apple Festival Arts & Crafts Fair
When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 14-16
Where: North 13th Street, Murphysboro
For more information, visit www.murphysboro.com or call (618) 684-3200
Illinois Wine and Arts Festival at Rend Lake
When: Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22 and 23
Where: Southern Illinois Art and Artisan Center, Whittington
For more information visit www.museum.state.il.us or contact Mary Lou Galloway at (618) 629-2220.
Makanda Vulture Fest
When: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 20 and 21
Where: Downtown Makanda
For more information visit www.villageofmakanda. com/events.html, or email Janelle Weber
at makandainn@gmail.com.
The 36th Annual Heritage Festival at Southeastern
Illinois College
When: Saturday and Sunday, November 3 and 4
Where: Southeastern Illinois College, Harrisburg
For more information contact Donna Hearn (618)
252-5400 ext. 3213 or email donna.hearn@sic.edu
AutumnFest Art and Craft Show
When: Saturday and Sunday, November 10 and 11
Where: John A. Logan College, Carterville
For more information, visit www.jalc.edu or call
(618) 985-3741.
SIUC Student Center 34th Annual Holiday Craft Sale
When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 - 8
Where: SIUC Student Center, Carbondale, IL
WSIU Announces Debut of “Expressions”
WSIU Public Television, the public media arm of Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) an-
nounced the debut of Expressions, a new weekly lo- cal series that turns the spotlight on regional
artists and their work.
Each half-hour episode follows artists on their journey toward creativity and showcases both their
inspirations and the various techniques they use to create works of art.
Hosted by Najjar Abdul-Musawwir, an internation- ally recognized artist and an Associate Professor
of Art in SIU Carbondale’s School of Art and Design, Ex- pressions will air Thursdays at 9pm
beginning Janu- ary 19, with repeats on Sundays at 6:30pm. Season one will feature 13 episodes and
will showcase one to two artists per episode.
Episode one, which aired January 19, introduced custom motorcycle artist Anthony Spinazola of
Cobden, Illinois and ceramicist Chris Scamehorn of Makanda.
On Jan. 26, nationally-acclaimed sculptor and metalsmith John Medwedeff of Murphysboro and painter
Fran Jaffe of Anna, who is known for her
use of aboriginal dot art techniques on gourds were featured..
Upcoming episodes and their airdates include: photographer Fern Logan of Carbondale and
watercolor artist Mary Pachikara (February 2); painter Robert Ketchens of Grand Chain (February 9);
and fiber artist Robin Haller of Carbondale, who is known for non-traditional quilting techniques,
and wood artist and craftsman Kyle Kinser of Makanda (February
16).
Expressions was conceived by Darryl Moses, WSIU’s
Associate Director for TV & Video Services, who
had seen a similar production on Mississippi Public
Television, and is produced by Chicago-area native
Tamara John, a graduate student in SIUC’s College of
Mass Communication & Media Arts and a Graduate
Assistant at WSIU Public Television.
Questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome and should be directed to John at (618) 453-8096
or tamara.john@wsiu.org.
A website for the series will be available soon at www. wsiu.org and will include programming
information, archival episodes, photos, and more.
Expressions sponsored by The Glass Haunt of Benton, Illinois and Mark Williams Outdoor Equipment of
Murphysboro.
Additional sponsors, who provided materials and fur- nishings for the colorful Expressions
production set, include Ashley Furniture HomeStore of Carbondale (furniture), Calico Country Sew &
Vac of West Frank- fort and Carbondale, Illinois and Paducah, Kentucky; Lowe’s of Carbondale; and
Stevens Floral Gifts and Framing of Marion (custom floral arrangements),
“Sustain” Exhibit at SUIC
“Sustain,” a juried art exhibit featuring the work of student artists who use recycled material
will open at Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s University Museum on Feb. 3.
Nate Steinbrink, curator of exhibits for the Universi- ty Museum, and the Museum Student Group, a
Reg- istered Student Organization, created the exhibit.
Art submissions included at least 70 percent waste material, which must have been turned into art.
The exhibit is open only to college art students en- rolled as undergraduate or graduate students.
In addition to the focus on recycled materials and the art, Steinbrink focused on environmental re-
sponsibility as he and the students designed the exhibit. The exhibit will use LED bulbs instead of
halogen bulbs, resulting in a 73 percent reduction in energy usage.
Pedestals for the exhibit will be made of recycled materials, and printing materials promoting and
describing the exhibit will use paper with a mini- mum of 60 percent recycled content.
Recycled art pioneers John Drury and Robbie Miller are jurors for the competitive part of the
exhibit. Awards for the top three entries will be announced at the opening reception on Feb. 3. The
reception is 4-7 p.m. The exhibit runs Feb. 3 through March 9.
anthill gallery & vintage curiosities houses the works of
more than 60 regional artist and craftsmen.
REGIONAL ART GALLERIES, BOUTIQUES, AND STUDIOS
Shopping locally for one-of-a-kind art is satisfying on so many levels. Supporting local
craftsmen, who in turn support other local businesses is good for the economy and the environment.
Following is a list of art galleries in southernmost Illi- nois that feature works by regional
artists and crafts- men. (Please phone or check websites for updates):
Angie’s Originals, 312 E. Fifth St., Metropolis
Angie Shelton is the owner of this charming week- end boutique which houses original art and crafts
by southern Illinois, Kentucky, and Missouri art- ists. Angie’s Originals features pottery by Craig
Rhodes and Diane Bremer, alpaca products by Lisa Turner, jewelry by Jane Plain, oak baskets by Dar-
rell Thurston and fiber art by Karen Linduska. For
more information about Angie’s Originals or to view pictures of the latest inventory, visit the
website at www.angiesoriginals.com.
Anna Arts Center, 117 W. Davie St., Anna
Anna Arts Center houses the works of Nancy Young, Carol Dooley, Gail McIntosh, Dave O’Melia, and
Judy Trexler, among others. For more information, con- tact Joanne Blakley at (618) 697-6285, or
visit their website at www.annaartscenter.com.
anthill gallery & vintage curiosities, 102 Front St., Cobden
Owners Linda Austin and Bob Hagemann offer works by more than 60 regional artists, as well as
selected vintage and gift items. anthill gallery & vintage curiosities coordinates its
exhibitions with The Yel- low Moon Cafe’s Luna Gallery, located at 110 North Front Street, just a
few doors north of the anthill on Cobden’s historic elevated sidewalk. Luna Gallery is open
Tuesdays through Saturdays. anthill is closed from Dec. 24 - Feb 21. In mid-March the works of
ceremacist Darby Ortolano and painter Judith Bush will be featured in an exhibit. For more informa-
tion, contact anthill gallery at (618) 303-3183 or visit www.anthillgallery.com.
Dayshift Boutique, 101 W. Monroe Ave, Carbondale
Chris McKinley, owner of Dayshift, represents over fifty regional artists who produce a wide range
of merchandise, including handbags, clothing, jewelry, fine art, photography, blown glass,
kitchen and dining room decor, metalwork, ceramics, rugs, pet items, wine racks, greeting cards,
and children’s accessories. For more information, call (618) 529-
DAYS (3297), email dayshiftshop@gmail.com, or visit
Facebook – Dayshift Carbondale.
Fern Fair Gallery, 8609 Giant City Road, Carbondale
Fern Logan, a retired professor of photography, opened a new facility in Southern Illinois to
serve the artists of the region. She offers space so artists can exhibit artwork or take a
workshop. Fern Fair’s specialties are photography and graphic design, but will occasionally offer
workshops in other media.
For more information, visit www.fernfair.com or call
(618) 529-3376.
Gallery 624, 624 Pershing St. Herrin
Shawn Spooner owns and operates this gallery. Shawn uses her studio to educate individuals about
the arts, and to display works by local artists as well as her photography, jewelry, and other
hand-crafted art. For more information about Gallery 624, con- tact Shawn Spooner by phone (618)
694-4634 or by email at shawnspoonerphotography@gmail.com.
The Gallery Space at the Law Office of Joni Beth
Bailey, 1008 Walnut St., Murphysboro
The Gallery Space is an exhibition and reception venue for local artists, and has recently
displayed
the works of Karen Linduska, Eric Johnson, Tom Bell, Bob Angarola, Mary Pachikara and Fraenze
Reichard. For more information, visit Facebook-The Gallery Space at the Law Office of Joni Beth
Bailey or call (618) 684-8668.
Grace Art Gallery & Girly Nature Gift Shop, 210 S. Broadway, Goreville
Rowena Montgomery and Tanya Eddleman own this delightful combination gallery/gift shop which houses
the paintings, photography, and jewelry of local artists, as well as Girly Nature personal care
products by Tanya. For more information call (618)
694-5892, or visit www.girlynature.com.
Little Egypt Arts Association Gallery, Little Egypt Art
Centre, 601 Tower Square, Marion
LEAA’s membership produce and display a wide va- riety of art exhibits throughout the year.
Upcoming exhibits for spring and summer include “Celebrating Southern Illinois Diversity,” “Life
Threads,” “A Differ- ent View” and “Historic Structures & Machinery VI.” For more information,
visit www.littleegyptarts.com or call (618) 998-8530.
Makanda Boardwalk, Downtown Makanda
Often referred to as the “Valley of the Arts”, the re- stored Makanda Boardwalk is home to Visions
Gal- lery, Rainmaker Studio, The Makanda Trading Com- pany , the Smelly Hippie, and the Makanda
Country Store. Allan Stuck Studio is nearby. For more infor- mation, visit www.villageofmakanda.com
or email Janelle Weber at makandainn@gmail.com.
Southpass Beads, 203 Ash Street, Cobden, IL
Southpass Beads offers a wide variety of beads, findings, tools and bead making supplies as well as
bead-making classes. Beadmaker J-Bird Elwell and beadweaver and designer LouAnn Elwell create
handmade beads and jewelry for sale at their loca-
tion. For more information, call (618) 893-6170 or
visit www.southpassbeads.com.
Village Art & Gifts, 100 N. Front St., Cobden, IL
Owners Rick and Joan Ball opened their business in Cobden in October 2011. The shop features lo-
cal art works, antiques and collectibles, gifts, andplants. Dozens of local artists have their work dis-
played, including Sandra Warhurst, Beverly Lueking, Jan York, Abraham Hunter, Jeff Engbring, Roberta El-
liot and Eldon Benz . Village Arts will be closed from Dec. 24 - Feb. 21. For more information contact
Rick Ball at (618) 893-4439.
River to River Visual Arts Association was incorporated in December 2011 as a not-for-profit
organization with the mission of promoting the work of artists living in southernmost Illinois
and advocating for their cultural and economic value to the region. One of RRVAA’s goals is to
collect, compile, disseminate and archive information about the area’s rich and varied visual art.
If you would like to post information about an upcoming art show, exhibit, or class in a future
newsletter, send an email to sharonwittke@yahoo. com by the 18th of the month. There are no fees
associated with the RRVAA newsletter.
If you prefer not to receive this newsletter, please let me know, and I’ll remove your name from
the email list. Please feel free to pass this newsletter along to others who may be interested in
the arts and art related activities in southernmost Illinois. Information in this newsletter can
also be found on the RRVAA blog at r2rvaa@blogspot.com.
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