Meeting the smiles of Shelby Brown and Hannah Eddy is to encounter an artistic duo of strong mutual support.
Eddy originally was from Rockford, and moved to the Quad Cities in 2016. She started studying calligraphy and hand lettering for relaxation and a creative outlet. At present, her major focus is on calligraphy for weddings. She met Brown when she took Brown’s class. They met for lunch and formed a friendship that led to their current collaborations.
Brown found her admiration for art while growing up in Memphis. She moved to downtown Davenport in 2016 after living in and practicing art in San Diego. Her current paintings are moving from watercolors to abstractions in acrylics. She explains, “My work explores the relationship between pattern and color…. to dive deep into the journey of relationships between what catches a viewer's eye when both pattern and color are battling for attention.”
Eddy and Brown specialize in hand-lettering and watercolor workshops. As part of Alternating Currents, they're offering a workshop to create florals and hand-drawn letters filling in a shape of the state of Iowa or Illinois. The workshop is Sat., Aug. 25, from 1-3 p.m. in suite 104b at Bucktown Center for the Arts, 225 E. 2nd St. in downtown Davenport. Cost is $55 per person and advance registration is required. For more information contact
shelbyashbrown@outlook.com.
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On another note, we thank Danielle Frey for her help this summer with graphic design. She's always liked art and her older sister also chose graphic design for a career. Frey is a recent graduate of Black Hawk College as a Visual Communication major. During her short time with us, she's designed a banner, posters, the new MidCoast web page to be launched for Bucktown and a graphic for the Artists’ Market at Bucktown.
She says, “I like to design posters the most.” She's volunteering for MidCoast to build her portfolio as she looks for full-time employment that will use her talents.
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While the new Rock the Arts Weekend was hit by a heat wave, many enjoyed the live music, wood turning and raku firing demos and artists’ displays on Friday evening. We thank all the visual artists and musicians who participated in this event cooperatively launched by
The ARTery, Desoto Studio, MidCoast’s
Gallery West,
Quad City Arts and the
Quad City Wood Turners.
On Saturday, perhaps the highlight was the marriage proposal arranged with Shelby Brown (introduced above), who created a watercolor tailored for the proposing gentleman that was titled “Will you marry me?”.
He pulled the painting out from a stack of watercolors and presented it to his intended while kneeling. We were pleased to help with this creative approach and wish them a bright future together
~ Sherry Maurer
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There's one new Bucktown casement available for rent on the first floor, at $45 per month.
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Call for Volunteers
Riverssance Festival of Fine Art
Lindsay Park, Davenport
September 15-16
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Would you be an art angel? Or perhaps help with information or tickets? We'd love to have you help us out at this year's Riverssance Festival of Fine Art. Riverssance is a premier outdoor art festival held in beautiful Lindsay Park, Davenport.
All volunteers receive a free t-shirt and entry. Daily shifts of two-hours start at 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 1:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.
If you can help, please send us the following information by August 10:
1. Your name
2. Your phone number and best email contact
3. Preferred day (Saturday or Sunday) and shift time
4. Your t-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL)
5. Any preference in type of work: art angel (help artists with breaks), information tent, wine tent or ticketing.
To volunteer, please send the above information to
info@midcoast.org. Questions? Please email or call 563-424-1210.
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Support the Arts. Support MidCoast.
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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.
Donations can be
online or mailed to:
MidCoast Fine Arts
225 East 2nd Street
Davenport, IA 52801
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MidCoast Gallery West / The ARTery
1629 2nd Avenue, Rock Island
Open: Wed. - Sat., 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
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Life is Beautiful c
losing reception
featuring Waking Robots
July 13, 6-9 p.m.
Free admission
An exhibition dedicated to the memory of local artist and musician William Martin Jr., this gathering of various artists has works for sale, with a portion of proceeds going to
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness).
Participating artists include Jon Burns, Margery Franklin, Dan Johnson, Carolyn Krueger, Glen Lowry, Lisa Mahar and Mary Talbert, as well as private collector Jodean Meleski.
Don't miss the music of
Waking Robots at the closing reception and shop to help a great cause!
The June
Life is Beautiful concert and art auction raised almost $2,000 for NAMI.
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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.; Sun., 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
This is the only art gallery in town that is open every day of the week!
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Left Bank Art League
through July
Left Bank Art League (LBAL) is
Branching Out for their upcoming display at Moline Centre Station. The group used this venue to show their individual interpretations of trees and rivers. Over 25 artists are contributing art work in various media for display.
A unique feature of the show is a group project inspired by the work of M. C. Escher, consisting of a tree with leaves that tessellate or interlock without any gaps or overlaps. This five-foot tree will fill one of the larger showcases.
LBAL was formed to meet and enjoy working on art together. Monthly meetings are held every fourth Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. at Christ Anglican Church in Moline. Open studio time is every Friday afternoon at the church.
Left Bank Art League continues to meet new challenges while continuing traditions of community service, advancing personal goals in artistic development, as well continuing as a social group.
New members welcome.
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Bucktown Center for the Arts
225 E. 2nd St., Davenport
Open: Wed. - Sat., 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
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Final Friday, June 29, 6 - 9 p.m.
ArtWorks Expo Awards Reception
Azubuike Renovated Studio Open House
Join
Azubuike African American Council for the Arts for an open house to kick off an exciting summer of programs in the newly retrofitted studio inside Bucktown. Enjoy complimentary drinks and light hors d'oeuvres, enter for a chance to win door prizes, and check out a beautiful new space!
There will also be a chance to view student films from past
Urban Exposure Independent Film Project participants and take a behind the scenes look at their new editing lab. This event is FREE and open to the public.
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MidCoast Bucktown Gallery
ArtWorks Expo High School Pastel Exhibition
Join us on June 29 at 7:30 p.m. as we announce the 2018 winners for the annual ArtWorks Expo challenge for area high school student teams.
All teams will receive a cash award to improve education in the participants’ art departments. The murals will be on exhibit at the Bucktown MidCoast Gallery through July 7.
This year's participating high schools and dedicated teachers are: Alleman (Gene Elsner), Assumption (Holly Secker), Central (Renee Ott), Mid City (Latoya Lewis), Moline (Stacey Replinger),North (Dave Schaeffer), North Scott (Michele Mess), Rivermont Collegiate (Sydney Crumbleholme), Rock Island (Addie Corby-Winn), and West (Andrew Lehn, Mark Sade, Chad Wolf ).
Peter Tong Xiao, art professor at Augustana College, juried the awards. Participating schools will receive at least a $150 award for their art department. The three top awards are: First Place, Alleman; Second Place, North Scott and Third Place, Rock Island High School.
Visitors have until the afternoon of June 29 to vote for their favorite piece. A People’s Choice Award of $80 will be given to the school with the most votes. The awards to area schools will total $2,300.
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Rock Island Artists' Market
Skeleton Key Art & Antiques
520 18th Street, Rock Island
12-4 p.m., Second Sunday, June through October
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The parking lot of
Skeleton Key Art and Antiques will be filled with local art, hand-crafted items, and locally grown treats from 12- 4 p.m. on the second Sunday of each month, June through October.
Each month will feature live music and a different blend of vendors— no two months are alike!
Interested in being a vendor? Stop into Skeleton Key for more details.
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August 31, 6-9 p.m.
End of Summer Ice Cream Social
Bucktown Center for the Arts
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September 15-16
Riverssance Festival of Fine Art
Lindsay Park, Village of East Davenport
Harley Award Presentation, Sept. 15, 5:30 p.m.
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Copyright © 2018 MidCoast Fine Arts. All rights reserved.
MidCoast Fine Arts
PO Box 4142 Rock Island, IL 61204-4142
225 East 2nd Street Davenport, IA 52801
MidCoast Fine Arts programs are partially supported by operational grants
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