Red Barn After a Heavy Snow
by Tom Cunningham.
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Dear Friends of the Arts, |
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We're gearing up for a diverse and exciting mix of art events in February. For theater enthusiasts, we offer our first full play of the year, 2 Across. (Order your tickets soon, for the best choice of seats.) For music-lovers we feature Bruce Kort and Scott Cornwell in Songwriters Showcase and, later in the month, the amazing classical guitarist, Marcus DeJesus. And, of course, our new art exhibits will be up all month, with an audio description on Feb. 19.
We feel strongly about encouraging youth to be involved in the arts, and this month we feature regional students in the Collective Memory art exhibit, as well as in showcases for the Galena High School Speech team, and solo/ensemble contest participants. Scroll down for more details about all these events.
Please join us in celebrating the arts all month long!
Happy Valentine's Day!
Carole
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In January, we were back to construction. We focused on creating a new exhibit space for the gallery, by removing all the teller booths and adding a wall for hanging art. |
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While we didn't get quite finished (the carpeting is yet to be done), we accomplished most of what we needed to do and are very pleased with the results. Hope you can stop in soon to experience the new space, now filled with wonderful art. |
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The Center's Winter Hours
Thursday - Sunday, 1-4 pm.
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Regional Artists Gallery
New Year, New Art Exhibit
From the vantage point of the main gallery, 2023 is looking much brighter. The gallery space is filled with bright greens and oranges, with some artwork taking you back to the psychedelic 60s. In fact, in one painting the Mississippi River has been tie-dyed! As you stroll through the exhibit, you will find an eclectic assortment of original pieces including pottery, fused glass, wood carving, and mixed media. Come see what new creations the new year has inspired. Since both exhibits will run only through the end of February, make plans to visit soon.
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Special Exhibit Space
Color It Neutral Exhibit
Welcome to the newly renovated special exhibit area, which has created much additional room for displaying artwork. Meander through the space, where you will see vivid contrasts of black and white for high impact, along with some softer, warmer tones of nature. An amazing marble statue is part of this exhibit as well as an intricately carved-from-wood feather.
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Collective Memory
Student Gallery Opening Reception
Thursday, February 2, 5-6 pm
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The Student Gallery will showcase a collection of art from six regional high schools in Jo Daviess County through the month of February. With student work from CTE Academy, East Dubuque, Galena, River Ridge, Scales Mound, and Stockton, this collaboration will honor the idea of memories. |
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Galena High School
Speech Showcase
Thursday, February 3, 6:30 pm
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The Galena Center for the Arts will host the GHS Speech Team for their first Regional Speech Showcase, featuring students performing their IHSA State Series entries.
These performances range from humorous to serious, acting to public speaking. You won't want to miss seeing these talented students in action. Come and support the team who will travel to Freeport for the IHSA Regional Competition. The team, under the direction of Susan Bookless, has had a successful season and are excited for the chance to advance in the State series of contests.
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February 9, 10 & 11, 7 pm
February 12, 2 pm
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Take a trip back to the 90’s, with this family-friendly romantic comedy, and find out if opposites really do attract. Two strangers meet on an early morning San Francisco BART train, both working on the New York Times crossword puzzle. Tender moments and sitcom-like hilarity ensue.
2 Across: A Comedy of Crosswords and Romance. Just in time for Valentine's Day! Script by Jerry Mayer, performed by Cindy Tegtmeyer and Michael Crawford, and directed by Stephanie Beck.
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Tickets on sale now!
February 9, 10 & 11, 7 pm; February 12, 2 pm.
Click on the image above to purchase.
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Give the Gift of Experience
Tired of purchasing the traditional chocolates and flowers for your valentine? Galena Center for the Arts now has gift certificates for events available for purchase. Join the current trend of giving experiences instead of material goods. The play 2 Across is being performed on Valentine's weekend, with other performances coming soon. Recipients of the gift card can choose their favorite experience and, who knows, may even choose to take the purchaser with them.
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Songwriters Showcase
Thursday, February 16, 7 pm
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We’re featuring TWO great regional musical artists this month! |
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Bruce Kort mixes his love of blues with other traditional types of music, including early jazz and Tin Pan Alley, bluegrass, traditional country and cowboy music. |
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Scott Cornwell has been building banjos since he was a teenager. He will be sharing songs he’s written about experiences he had while growing up in New York City. |
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Audio Description
Sunday, February 19, 2 pm
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Galena Center for the Arts is committed to accessibility for all art lovers, including those who have a visual impairment. Audible Visions has been founded as a nonprofit organization in Galena, dedicated to making the arts, media, live entertainment, and tourism more accessible in the area. Audio Description (AD) is a service that allows individuals with vision loss to experience the visual world, including art. GCA has teamed up with Audible Visions to make this event happen!
Join us at the Center to experience a live narrated, guided tour of some of the pieces from the newest Gallery Opening. The pieces will be described vividly enough to be enjoyed by people with all levels of vision loss or those who are curious about AD. Please contact the Center with questions about other accommodations that may enhance your experience.
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Galena Schools Solo and
Ensemble Performance
Thursday, February 23, 6:30 pm
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Galena High School and Middle School is proud to present our spring solo and ensemble showcase! Performances are expected to include solos, duets, and trios from Band and Choir students. This showcase is to prepare students to perform at Solo and Ensemble competition this year, a competition that is challenging but fun for young musicians. Practicing is important, but opportunities to perform can be hard to come by- come help us support our students' efforts by being part of our enthusiastic audience!" |
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Poesias “Portraits of a Guitar”
Marcus DeJesus
Classical Guitarist
Sunday, February 26, 3 pm
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Originally from Brazil, DeJesus has strong roots in classical guitar, Brazilian jazz and a variety of other styles. This exciting program showcases works by composers from Germany, Brazil, USA, Paraguay. Russia and Spain. |
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In March, he will travel to Brazil for an international guitar festival, where he will perform a recital, give a masterclass and release his first book. We will get a preview of that recital in Galena! |
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Some glass samples left from her grandfather, a glazier, provided the impetus for a lifelong career for Denise Tollensdorf. Primarily self-taught, Denise worked alongside a Master in the Quad Cities to hone her skill. She began working professionally in stained glass in the early 1980s, and owned a retail store in downtown Galena for 10 years from 1983 to 1993. The bulk of her work was custom work from architects and interior designers, but she also did restoration work including windows at Grace Episcopal and Westminster Presbyterian. |
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She now enjoys the process of her own designs, adding that "the spark of inspiration from choosing glass and creating designs" excites her. Denise enjoys having a wonderful space to continue her work. Stop by the gift shop to see the beautiful stained-glass lamp Denise made! |
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Artwork drop-off at the Galena Center for the Arts:
Friday, February 17, 4-6 pm
Saturday, February 18, 10 am-12 pm
Written submissions for the Spoken Word event
should be submitted by Friday, February 24.
For more information and to view our calendar of events,
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Recent Activities
at the Center
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Opening reception for
New Year, New Art, and Color it Neutral
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On a chilly winter evening, over a hundred art lovers came to celebrate our first exhibit of 2023. |
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Instead of teller booths, we now have additional exhibit space. |
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Walking the Camino our Way |
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Susan Barg, Bonnielynn Kreiser and Maureen Bardusk (with Joan Klaus on ZOOM from Virginia) inspired a capacity audience with stories of their adventure hiking almost 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago. An additional 50 people from all over the world tuned in to hear the presentation live via ZOOM. We will post a recording of this event on our YouTube channel in a few days.
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Corporate Spotlight
for February
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Our February Corporate Member spotlight shines on Galena Kids, an incredible educational toy, game and puzzle store for children of all ages. From board games to arts & crafts to puzzles and so much more: if it’s fun and unique, they’ll have it! We are especially grateful to owners Gail and David Bauer for working on the design and creation of a Kid’s Corner at the Center – look for it to debut later this spring! |
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- Jenni Ackerman
- Lee Adami
- Reign Adrian
- Patricia Allen-Stewart
- Josie Asta
- Diane Banas
- David Bronson
- Julie Bruser & Tom Saccomanno
- Maren Coates
- John Cox
- Cathy Dorwick
- Scott Edmonds
- Janet Eggleston
- Cathie Elsbree
- Cathy Elwell
- Tom Erdman
- Galena Gazette
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- Mark and Sheila Haman
- Terri Jackman
- Tom Kirkwood
- Bonnielynn Kreiser
- Kathy Leonard
- Jeff Maeder
- Courtney Moser Lomax
- M.L. and Nik Miesing
- Kris Murdock
- Emily Painter
- Charlotte Stryker
- Dennis Waltman
- Leslie Waltman
- Lenny Wayne
- Andy Willis
- Sandy Winge
- Dennis Wirth
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- A lightweight wheelchair.
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Time to get involved! We still need greeters for the gallery and volunteers to help with serving at openings, ushering at music and theatre events, garden maintenance, painting, and more!
If you would like to help out as a greeter, please go to
Signupgenius.com and choose the dates you would like to help. It’s not hard, and it’s so much fun to meet other art lovers and show off our wonderful new space. For other volunteer opportunities, email Carole.
Thanks so much!
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Please Donate
Please help us to advance our mission to
elevate and celebrate regional arts and artists.
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To donate online click on This Link, or send your check to:
The Galena Center for the Arts
971 Gear Street, Galena, Illinois 61036
(815) 402-3111
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To join the Galena Center for the Arts YouTube channel:
- click on this link
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when on YouTube, click SUBSCRIBE
- to be notified of new videos, click on the bell icon next to SUBSCRIBED, then click on ALL
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Please forward our newsletter to your friends and relatives. They can click below to receive their own monthly update. Thanks for sharing our news with others! |
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This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. |
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This program is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. |
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Don't forget to "Like" the Galena Center for the Arts on Facebook
Have a preferred email address? Please let us know.
Thanks so much for your support of the Galena Center for the Arts!
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Newsletter produced by Dennis Waltman |
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