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February Newsletter

Basking in the warmth of great company on a chilly evening at

Galena Roots and Regional Gallery Opening Reception

Dear Friends of the Arts,

I am so excited to announce all the wonderful theatrical events that will be coming soon. The table reading of the lovely one-act The Old Lady Shows her Medals, the play Will-O-the-Wisp by Galena's own Ted Williams and Robyn Davis, the musical Quilters in March, and a children's play Forest Stone by Lee Adami in April! It brings me joy to have the theater (and classroom too) filled with rehearsals and exciting preparations for future entertainments. We will be needing ushers and other volunteers for these events, so do sign up if you are available. Please see below for details, and info about all the wonderful new visual art in the galleries and musical performances.

I am grateful that we are supported by so many businesses in the community, both as sponsors for events and donations to keep us going. Special thanks to Poopsies who has partnered with us as one of their charities for 2024 and to Culvers who has offered us a Culvers Share night on Tue, Feb 20, 2024. Be sure to stop by Culvers that evening to be served by the Broads from the Broad Ideas committee!

Now that the January deep freeze has passed, I'm sure we will all be feeling cabin fever, and the Center is a great place for an outing. I look forward to seeing you!

Carole Sullivan

Become a Member!

Did you know you can become a member,

renew your membership, or donate online?

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To learn more about membership options and benefits click.

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To donate online click or send your check to:

The Galena Center for the Arts

971 Gear Street, Galena, Illinois 61036.

Center Open Hours

The Center will be open from 1 to 4pm on

Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,

which will continue until Spring.

Click here for the Center's Calendar

Current Exhibits

Regional art

and

Galena Roots Exhibits

Acrylic paintings by Cat Clausen.

In need of stimulation during the dreary month of February? You are sure to find it in our newly opened exhibits!

Walking through the front doors, the vivid colors in Tom Yunt’s art and Joy Nebbergall’s birch trees awaken your visual senses. Who knew so many colors can be found in a birch tree? Continuing through the gallery, you will find artwork by many of our accomplished artists along with several new artists, who add a welcome diversity to our gallery. View calligraphy carvings by Jimin Lee, an Intaglio and a woodblock print by Loretta Lim, and intricate quilted wall hangings by Amy Ottens. Prepare to be stunned by the beautiful acrylic paintings – Dream Walker and Overcome – by Cat Clausen. This is an exhibit you do not want to miss!

Student Art Exhibit

Our Unique Sameness

Opening reception, Friday, February 8, 6-7pm

Please join us for an opening reception for Our Unique Sameness - a collective art show from the high school students of East Dubuque, Galena, River Ridge, Scales Mound, Stockton, and CTE Academy.

Don't ignore the unique, but celebrate the sameness. The things that make us all similar - our basic humanity and universal desires for compassion, empathy, love, and happiness - are not something to be ignored. Immerse yourself with art and discover how our area youth visualize Unique Sameness. Artwork will be up for the month of February. Stop by during regular gallery hours and check it out.

Current Events

Galena High School Speech Team

2nd Annual Speech Showcase

Thursday, February 1, 6:30pm

Join us for a showcase of the performances from the Galena High School Speech team that will be competing at the IHSA Speech Regional in Freeport.

The above picture is of the team at the Byron tournament:

Front Row: Sophia Wachter, Charlie Duncan, Emma Blaum, coach Susan Bookless.

Second Row: Caitlin Kennedy, Liliana Asta, Madison Wild, Evon Main, Macklan Murphy

Back Row: Luna Pham, Adison Leitzinger, Sabine Blaum.

Table Reading 

The Old Lady Shows her Medals

by James Barrie

February 3 at 7pm and February 4 at 2 pm

Honoring the imagination and sacrifice of a working-class woman during World War I, this story about two people who decide to take the risk of meaning something to each other will move you.

The cast features Emily Painter, Stephen Green, Cathy Harms, Deb Hyland, Mimi Resnick and Steve Coates, with narration by Ron Jenkins.

Tickets: suggested donation Students $5, Adults $10

Songwriters Showcase

Jody McGill and Addison Aronson

Thursday, February 15, 7pm

Our February Songwriters Showcase shares the original music of regional singer songwriters Jody McGill and Addison Aronson.



Jody’s wish is that her songs help you find your voice in the resistance, some kindredness and the song in your heart that leads you home.

Addison’s approach to songwriting lets the music act as a vehicle for the lyrics - journeying into different places, spaces, and layers of mysticism that other songwriters may tend to steer away from.

Refreshments available - Free to attend - Donations appreciated!

Special thanks to sponsors Mark and Mary Ellen.

Will-O'-the-Wisp

7pm February 16, 17 and 23, 24

2pm February 18 and 25

Wrap yourself up in the history and mystery, superstition, humor and romance of this heartwarming and haunting play, written by and starring Galena’s Ted Williams and Robyn Davis. Click to get your tickets before they vanish!

We’re on the lookout for volunteers to usher for Will-O’-the-Wisp! Click to choose a performance/time slot. Volunteers can attend the play free of charge!

Broad Ideas call for Art!

~ ARTISTS & AUTHORS ~

All abilities welcome & encouraged

We want you!

2024 Artwork Drop-Off!

Friday, February 23, 4-6pm

Saturday, February 24, 10am-12pm

For more information, visit www.Broadideas.org

Classes

Figure Drawing

A reminder that the next figure drawing session will be Thursday, February 8 from 5–7pm and will be held on the second Thursday of each month. Do not miss this opportunity to sketch a live model for only $10. Session facilitated by K. Kriesel.

For more information click.

Open Painting Studio

The Center decided to postpone the Open Studio to avoid winter weather, so those sessions planned for February are cancelled. Sandra Principe will facilitate the Open Studio beginning on March 11 from 1-3pm and to continue every other week through April. See below for details

• Every other Monday 1-3pm, beginning on Monday, March 11
• Practice the principles of design and color composition in these facilitated classes (not instructed).
• Bring your own supplies and reference material.
• All medium welcome, but please avoid products that emit toxic fumes.
• Cost: 5 dollars a class for members, 10 dollars for non-members.
• Initial trial period of four sessions: March 11, 25, April 8, 22
• Studio open to beginners as well as seasoned artists.
• A still life will be set up for the first session; afterward, upon request.
• Sessions will offer brief instruction and feedback as desired.

Coming Events

Quilters

by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek

7pm March 8, 9, and 14, 15, 16

2pm March 10 and 17

In wonderful scenes of storytelling and song, we are introduced to strong women who created quilts not just for survival, but also as a form of art. These women lived 150 years ago, but many parts of their lives, loves and struggles are relevant today.

Cast includes Standing Left: Lisa Anderson; Clockwise from top: Hannah Von Mulert, Moira Kelley, Christen Tebbe, Jennifer Wolff and Melissa Goranson. Directed by Carole Sullivan; Music Director Susan Lipnick; Set Design by Jan Lavacek; Choreography by Christen Tebbe.

A quilt collection will also be on display in the lobby of the theater during the run of the play. Click for tickets!

Calling all volunteers! We’re in search of ushers for our musical production of Quilters. Signing up is easy: click, pick a time and fill in your information. Don’t forget, ushers attend our performances free of charge. Thank you!

Poopsies Give Back Program

Poopsie's has included the Center for the Arts as one of the charities they are partnering with for 2024.  What a wonderful gift to the community, that they are committing to giving back 1% of all their sales to five local charities in 2024.

This give back program runs all year and is super simple to do. Anytime you are shopping with Poopsie's (online or in store), simply let Poopsie's know you are shopping for the Galena Center for the Arts and they will designate a percentage of that sale to go to us. Little bits add up over time! So even though 1% might not seem like much in the beginning, it will have a big impact in the end. We look forward to working with them throughout the year to showcase our organization.

Save the Dates

Mar 01, 5-7pm, Broad Ideas Opening

Mar 08, 9, and 14, 15, 16 - 7pm, Quilters

Mar 10 and 17 - 2pm, Quilters

Mar 14 – 5-7pm, Figure Drawing

Mar 19 – 6pm, Broad Ideas Drum Circle

Mar 21 – 7-9pm, Broad Ideas Songwriters Showcase

Mar 27 – 7-9pm, Broad Ideas Spoken Word Closing

Apr 13, 14 – The Forest Stone, Children’s Theater production

Recent Activities at the Center

Scales Mound High School

Scales Mound High School exhibit “Let’s Glow Crazy” brightened the student gallery the month of January.

Songwriters Showcase

Enthusiastic audiences enjoyed Raven Rose (Robyn Davis and Ted Williams).

Lojo Russo filled the room with crowd-pleasing music and stories.

Opening Reception January 19

Galena Roots artist Jerry Kaiser was in attendance at our

Opening Reception January 19

Studio Artists in their Studios

Attendees at the opening enjoyed wonderful music from Desiree Irwin, as well as the fun of visiting a number of the artist’s studios.

Wood Burning Class

Three students in Marie McDonough’s wood burning class show their finished owls. All attendees had a great time!

Carrying the Torch

A full house of interested people attended the "Carrying the Torch" seminar about woodland burns, added to by the creative artworks of Gillian Moore.

Click here for the Center's Calendar

THANK YOU!

WISH LIST

• 8.5” x 11” Printer Paper
• Volunteers to usher or help with food prep for openings

Volunteer!

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 scroll down to 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!

All River Road Talent hosts a monthly art drive the first weekend of each month. All River Road Talent is a synergy of artists building a cultural and visitor awareness of artistic talent in the Galena region of Northwest Illinois. The next ARRT tour is February 2 - 4.

Please Donate

Please help us to advance our mission to

elevate and celebrate regional arts and artists.



To donate online click, or send your check to:

The Galena Center for the Arts

971 Gear Street, Galena, Illinois 61036

(815) 402-3111

Click for the Center Website

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This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.

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Thanks so much for your support of the Galena Center for the Arts!

Newsletter produced by Dennis Waltman