The 43rd Rock Island Art Guild’s Fine Arts Exhibition, which opens Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Figge Art Museum, is “a vibrant testament to the unparalleled artistic talent residing within a 200-mile radius of the Quad Cities.”
Since 1970, the Rock Island Art Guild has been the driving force behind organizing the exhibition. It’s a tradition deeply rooted in the celebration of art and culture, the museum said in a news release.
Elyse Nurenberg, assistant registrar at the Figge, has been instrumental in coordinating this year’s installation, showcasing the museum’s dedication to fostering community pride and building a sense of belonging through the arts.
The exhibition is made possible through the sponsorship of the Rock Island Art Guild. It will be on view through June 2 at the downtown Davenport museum.
The partnership between the guild and the Figge also highlights a shared mission to honor and uplift artists from the Quad Cities and beyond, the release said.
The Rock Island Art Guild was founded in 1955 by a group of individuals who wanted to cultivate an active interest in local and regional artists and foster the appreciation of the visual arts in the Quad Cities. The guild has organized this exhibition since 1970 and the Figge has hosted it since 2016.
Art showcases local talent
For this year’s exhibit, more than 210 individuals submitted more than 580 works of art. In all, 62 works by 48 artists were selected by this year’s juror Mia Laufer,. She’s associate curator at the Des Moines Art Center. Selected exhibits include video, digital art, painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, and works on paper.
“This exhibition continues to showcase the range of incredible artistic talent and creativity within our region,” Ms. Nurenberg said. “The works featured in this exhibition provide the opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in rich artistic narratives and offer unique perspectives through the recontextualization of familiar objects and scenes.”
Awards will be given for first and second place in these several categories. They include Digital Art, Performance, Sound, and Video Award, the Sally MacMillan Watercolor Award, the Founder’s Award, the Zeivel Harris Sculpture Award, and Honorable Mention awards.
All awards will be presented at the exhibit’s opening celebration Thursday, March 7. Award winners will be selected by Ms. Laufer, the exhibit’s juror.
Museum patrons also are invited to help select the People’s Choice Award and Children’s Choice Award winners. Simply check out the exhibition and cast your vote. Winners of those two awards will be announced at the end of the exhibition on Sunday, June 2.
Companion programs set
The Figge Art Museum also announced upcoming companion programs including:
- Sunday, Feb. 25: Free Family Day, free admission all day, sponsored by Cobham Mission Systems.
- Thursday, March 7: Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition Opening Celebration at 6:30 p.m.
- Second Saturdays: Free admission made possible by Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
- Thursday, April 11 and May 9: Free artist talks at the Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition.
All the events are at the Figge, located at 225 W. Second Street. The landmark Davenport glass building was designed by British architect David Chipperfield. It is home to one of the Midwest’s finest art collections and presents world class exhibitions, art classes, lectures, and special events that attract visitors of all ages.
Museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Reservations are not required but can be made at www.figgeartmuseum.org or by calling (563) 345-6632.
Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and students with ID, and $4 for children ages 4-12. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and to all visitors on Thursday evenings. Become a member for as little as $50 by visiting the Figge website.
