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MidCoast Musings:
Book Launch and Anniversary Celebration at Bucktown
Bucktown is more than a building; it's an historic Davenport neighborhood known for culture both high and low. In September, Boho Chic Gallery, MidCoast Fine Arts and Bucktown Center for the Arts are pleased to partner with Jonathan Turner as he releases his new book on
A Brief History of Bucktown: Davenport's Infamous District Transformed, published by The History Press. Turner is the arts and entertainment reporter for
The Dispatch and Rock Island Argus. The launch coincides with the tenth anniversary of Bucktown participation by the artists of Boho Chic Gallery, Dee Schricker and Heidi Brandt, who submit the following announcements.
~ Sherry
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A Brief History of Bucktown
by Jonathan Turner
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Nearly two centuries ago, German immigrants created leafy beer gardens in the Bucktown neighborhood, establishing the downtown Davenport area as the heart of entertainment for generations. In 1916, the founding of the Tri-City Symphony Orchestra at the Burtis Opera House embodied the neighborhood's reputation for high culture. The numerous saloons and theaters, as well as 42 documented brothels that flourished within two blocks, lent a bawdy side to the good times.
Varied industries thrived through World War II, and the downtown bustled with shoppers visiting department stores like Petersens. Later, the district struggled and declined as a farming crisis hit the region hard. Now, with several revitalized landmarks like the magnificent Hotel Blackhawk and the historic Redstone Building, the community is growing more vibrant as a place to live, work and play. Author Jonathan Turner explores this dynamic history and transformation.
"Bucktown has such a rich and fascinating history, including several well-known figures--from Lincoln to Disney to Reagan to Cary Grant--who had key brushes with the area in their lives," Turner says. "As a writer and musician, I welcomed the opportunity to showcase the district's colorful, passionate stories and emphasis on the arts, which have made the area thrive then and now."
Turner will share history and interesting Bucktown facts he uncovered at a book launch held at Bucktown at 5:15 p.m. on Third Thursday, Sept. 15. He'll speak for a half hour. Books will be available for purchase in the Boho Chic Gallery on Final Friday, on Sept. 30, from 6-9 p.m., when Jonathan will return for a book signing. For questions or comments, contact Jonathan Turner at
jturner@qconline.com.
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Dee Schricker and Heidi Brandt
of Boho Chic
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Next month, Dee Schricker and Heidi Brandt will be celebrating 10 years of exhibiting their art at Bucktown. Both artists started by renting an 8' x 12' wall space in one of the first galleries at Bucktown. They outgrew their exhibit area, so Schricker rented a gallery that became available and offered space to Brandt. Schricker has since leased four galleries at Bucktown, two being co-owned with Brandt. They currently own and operate the
Boho Chic Gallery, Suite 100, offering contemporary art for home and office. The artists will hold a public ribbon cutting on Final Friday, Sept. 30, followed by an open house from 6-9 p.m. For more information contact Heidi Brandt (563) 386-0963.
Schricker is a self-taught artist and continues to develop her craft. She recently purchased a new kiln for larger pottery pieces and added melted pewter to some of her acrylic paintings. "I love to use new and interesting materials. It keeps my art fresh and modern." She'll exhibit at the Riverssance this Fall. Find her art online at
DeeSchrickerArt.com and at the Bucktown Boho Chic Gallery.
Brandt's work includes artistic representations of iconic Quad City landmarks, especially the Mississippi River, bridges and wildlife. She also creates abstract images with an eye for pattern and texture. Several of her botanical images are part of Unity Point Trinity's recent hospital addition. Her new focus is to market the gallery's work to commercial decorators for corporate clients. Find her art online at
HeidiBrandt.com and at the Boho Chic Gallery.
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Riverssance Festival of Fine Art: Sept 17-18
Come out and support MidCoast Fine Arts' biggest fundraiser of the year--proceeds focus on community programming for regional visual arts and artists.
29th Annual Riverssance Festival of Fine Art
Sat., Sept. 17, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun., Sept. 18, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Lindsay Park, Village of East Davenport
Admission: $4 per person, $6 for 2-day pass, children 12 and under are free
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2016 Riverssance t-shirt design based on
Earth Changes by Scot Schmidt
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In this crazy world we live in with clatter and chaos all around, wouldn't it be wonderful to get back to the simpler things? You can. Riverssance is about the simple things. Creative expression, a camaraderie of folks with a common interest in art, good music, delicious food and smooth wine. The view is serene, overlooking the Mississippi in Lindsay Park. Riverssance brings all of these elements together.
The only thing that's missing is you. See what great pieces will be showcased by national, regional and local artists who share their talents with us. The event includes a free children's art tent staffed this year by Rivermont Collegiate. Stroll around, drink some wine, grab lunch--take some precious time and spend it with your family and friends.
On Saturday at 12:30 p.m. MidCoast presents the prestigious annual "Harley Award" (named for the harlequin logo) to a top visual artist or art supporter of the Quad Cities. In 2015, the award went to art professors, artists and sisters Kristin and Megan Quinn. For 2016, the award goes to Mary Ellen Chamberlin, who was president of the Riverboat Development Authority, and its important cultural largesse, for 25 years. We hope to have many join us in recognizing her arts vision.
Each year a design is selected from the work of one of the exhibiting artists for a distinctive t-shirt worn by volunteers and artists. This year the design will be based on the work
Earth Changes by Scot Schmidt.
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Wylde Nept
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Sunday's music line up grand finale will be the Celtic group,
Wylde Nept, starting at 2 p.m. That alone is worth the price of admission!
Volunteers Still Needed
Do you know a youth group looking for a project? We have openings for art angel, ticket staff or info tent, and we need your t-shirt size to get you a t-shirt that identifies you as a volunteer. Here are the specific shift times:
Sun., Sept. 18, 9:45 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 12-2 p.m. or 2-4 p.m.
To volunteer, email us at
info@midcoast.org or call (563) 424-1210.
Thank Yous
Thank you to the generous support of the following organizations for this year's event.
Major Sponsors:
Mimzi Art and Frame,
The Sedona Group, and
IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union.
In-kind sponsors:
Rivermont Collegiate,
dphilms,
Hanson Watson Associates,
Quad City Press, and
Quad City Bank & Trust.
Media sponsors:
iheartradio,
KWQC TV6,
Mediacom and
River Cities Reader.
A special thank you to the
Riverboat Development Authority for the generous support throughout the years.
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MidCoast Gallery West / The ARTery
1629 2nd Avenue, Rock Island
Open: Wed - Sat, 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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by Mark Fowler
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Mini exhibition on Mark Fowler's Private Collection, August 26-27
Join us in celebrating the life of Quad Cities artist Mark Fowler (1954-2016). We'll have on display works from his days as a hot glass artist, as well as his photography and prints, and art that he had collected by other artists.
Fowler brought hot glass practices to the Quad Cities, and he taught the art form to a number of people (including Joel Ryser's Hot Glass program) who continue in the field. He received his MFA in glass work in 1990 from the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. By the mid-90s, he settled in the Quad Cities and he operated Liquid Fire glass studio in Rock Island.
The ARTery and Gallery West will be open until 9 p.m. August 26-27 to accommodate visitors for the
exhibit. All sales will be donated to a memorial fund.
Opening reception for Cory Peak and Dan Johnson
Fri., Sept. 9, 6-9 p.m.
Two of the most unique artists we know will be sharing the Gallery West space for September and October. We're very proud to be hosting the newest works of Cory Peak and Dan Johnson.
Join us for our
opening reception! Meet the artists while enjoying live music, tasty snacks and drinks.
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Moline Centre Station
1200 River Drive, Moline
Open: Mon -Fri, 6 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Sat, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.; and Sun, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tom Hempel Watercolors
through September
Tom Hempel's display mainly focuses on Quad Cities region landscape subjects, although he has added images from Florida, Montana, Texas, England and the Netherlands. Some images are from his imagination. We know many of the places he paints. Perhaps it is because, while familiar, we further see in Hempel's renditions a pleasing revelation of light and shadow on our world, that we find a satisfying more in his watercolors. A selection of his watercolors and quality Giclee reproductions are on display.
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Bucktown Center for the Arts
225 East 2nd Street, Davenport
Open: Wed - Sat, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
REVIVE 2 Exhibition, Second Floor MidCoast Gallery
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by Amber Williams,
REVIVE 2 winner
of MidCoast Board Award
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REVIVE 2 is a showcase of works about art's transformational potential, presented by MidCoast Fine Arts. The juried exhibition of upcycled, recycled and assembled art at times challenges our expectations about what refuse is (or is not) and could be. Elements include common, discarded, found and recycled objects. We thank artist Ryan Orr of
re:form Design who envisioned the exhibition's premise and helped with its sponsorship.
Artists represented here are: Pat Beréskin, Sarah Boyum, Alan Campbell, Colleen Curry, Deborah Doehler, Peggy Gratton, Kenny Kress, Debi Larson, Max McInnis, Lori Miller, Ana Moore, Jeanne O'Melia, Terry Rathje, Kathleen Washington, Amber Williams and DeWitt Young.
The exhibition was juried by MidCoast staff members Sherry C. Maurer and Tony Seabolt. Two $100 awards will be presented at the public exhibition reception on Fri., Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. One of the awards will be determined by the MidCoast Fine Arts board, and one is a People's Choice Award---visit to support your favorite artwork.
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Wood turned vessel
by Steve Sinner and Joe Meirhaeghe
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Final Friday, Aug. 26, 6-9 p.m.
REVIVE 2 artist reception takes place with awards presented at 7:30 p.m. At Beréskin Fine Art Gallery and Studio, the night will focus on the Bereskin Gallery Artists, but also will feature wood turners, Joe Meirhaeghe and Steve Sinner.
Wood turners Steve Sinner and Joe Meirhaeghe create stunning wood vessels from locally grown maple, cherry, and walnut. Wood is usually obtained from trees that must be removed due to construction, old age, disease, or storm damage.
Painting, drawing, sculpting--even holiday card watercoloring; find the new Beréskin fall class schedule.
Innovations in Printmaking, Gail Ray Gallery
Exhibition begins August 27
This body of work represents Gail Ray's explorations in portraiture as applied to printmaking, intaglio, wood block and lino block. The goal was to create a rich surface using intaglio techniques, translucent colors, plus watercolor and oil embellishments. Following these experiments, there will be a body of large scale print portraits, applying these techniques.
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Mixed media by Lisa Mahar
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Lisa Mahar, MidCoast Bucktown Gallery
September 9 - October 29
Lisa Mahar best says it when she notes:
My goal as an artist is to produce art that people can identify with. Each piece tells a story. Whimsical, functional and layered with bits and pieces of the past; all make my work one-of-a-kind. The playful element of surprise and the intertwining of brilliant colors and recycled refuse complete my artwork and give me great joy!
Mahar will exhibit furniture and mixed media creations. An artist's reception will take place at the September Final Friday, on Sept. 30, 6-9 p.m.
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Save the Date: Upcoming Events
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Sept. 15, 5:15 p.m.
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Third Thursday, Bucktown. Jonathan Turner book release and talk
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Sept. 30, 6-9 p.m.
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Final Friday, Bucktown. Boho Chic artists celebrate 10 years at Bucktown with a ribbon cutting; Jonathan Turner will be signing his new book, reception for Lisa Mahar's MidCoast Gallery exhibition, and Wine Walk.
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Support the Arts. Support MidCoast.
We are a non-profit community arts agency founded and run by artists. Our mission to stimulate our community's cultural and economic vitality through the support of regional visual arts and artists is accomplished by having amazing art-focused programming and events like Final Fridays, ArtWorks Expo and Riverssance Festival of Fine Art.
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Copyright © 2016 MidCoast Fine Arts. All rights reserved.
MidCoast Fine Arts
PO Box 4142 Rock Island, IL 61204-4142
225 East 2nd Street Davenport, IA 52801
(563) 424-1210 |
midcoast.org
MidCoast Fine Arts programs are partially supported by operational grants
from the Illinois Arts Council and the Iowa Arts Council.
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