Quad City Arts

09/02/2026

September is here, and there’s plenty happening at Quad City Arts!

Catch up on the latest news, opportunities, exhibitions, and events in our September newsletter, including:

• 🎨 Riverssance Festival of Fine Art — September 19 & 20
• 📣 The Monster Under My Bed Call for Entry Deadline — September 20
• 🎉 Visiting Artist Series Kickoff + Executive Director Meet & Greet — September 22 (FREE EVENT)
• 🎭 Leland Faulkner | Visiting Artist Series — School Residency September 21–25
• 💡 Illinois Creative Future Roadshow — September 29

• 🖼️ CURRENTLY ON VIEW:
McCarty-Tomlinson & Sherman — Rock Island Gallery | Through Oct. 2
Lauren McGovern — Second Avenue Window | Through September
Bowden & Shultz-Hetrick — Art at the Airport | Through November

👉 Read the September newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/quadcityarts/newsletter-2026-sept

08/31/2026

It's almost time for Riverssance Festival of Fine Art! We are getting everything ready behind the scenes and so are our artists! Today I want to show you two more ladies who will be exhibiting with us. First up is Lisa Howe-Ebright. Lisa is bring her ceramics this September. Lisa makes functional pieces for your home that you're sure to love. Gabbie Johnson is an acrylic painter that creates bright, cheerful and sometimes whimsical paintings that you absolutely need to see! Come visit them both at Riverssance this year!
*
Riverssance Festival of Fine Art takes place on September 19-20 at the Beautiful Lindsey Park in the Village of East Davenport. Hours are: Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 10-4.

08/28/2026

I have been waiting to say this: Big and Small we have it ALL at Riverssance! LOL! Seriously, are you looking for a statement sculpture or a piece of heirloom woodwork? Then Jay Stratton is the artist for you. His work is so well crafted, you have to see it in person to truly appreciate it. Then we have Philipp Bonushkin bringing his handmade ceramics. These are functional pieces for your home and kitchen that are also beautiful. Please stop by and see him!
*
Riverssance Festival of Fine Art takes place on September 19-20 at the Beautiful Lindsey Park in the Village of East Davenport. Hours are: Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 10-4.

08/26/2026

Join us September 19 & 20 at Lindsay Park for two days of incredible art, live music, food, and one of the Quad Cities’ longest-running fine art festivals. 🎨 Whether you're a dedicated art lover or just looking for an amazing day out, Riverssance is the place to be!

September 19 | 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
September 20 | 10 A.M. - 4 P.M.
Lindsay Park in the Village of East Davenport

Learn more about this popular event: www.quadcityarts.com/riverssance-festival

🙌 Want to volunteer? Sign up for a shift and get a FREE Riverssance T-shirt while helping make the festival happen! You can even volunteer as an Art Angel, giving artists a much-needed break by watching their booth while they step away briefly. It’s an easy way to lend a hand, meet artists, and experience Riverssance from behind the scenes! Sign up today: bit.ly/4zY6rsP

08/24/2026

Are you planning on joining us at Riverssance this year? We all sure hope so! We have so many incredible artists coming! We have mixed media artist Ashley from bringing her incredible, whimsical illustrations. You have to stop in and see them! Also, coming back again, is one of our award winners from last year, Maggie Joynt of bringing handcrafted original jewelry. Maggie is an incredible craftsperson and it really shows in her work. Please stop and see all the fine jewelry she makes!
*
Riverssance Festival of Fine Art takes place on September 19-20 at the Beautiful Lindsey Park in the Village of East Davenport. Hours are: Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 10-4.

08/21/2026

Take a peek backstage in the latest episode of Talking Art. 🎙️

Host Ben Gougeon sits down with director Tristan Tapscott to talk about The Mockingbird On Main’s production of Arthur Miller’s *Death of a Salesman* at Black Hawk College — with Ben stepping onto the stage himself as Biff Loman.

Tristan shares his approach to bringing this American classic to life, his own journey in theatre, and the ideas and relationships at the heart of the play. They also look ahead to The Mockingbird’s new partnership with Black Hawk College and what it could mean for theatre, education, and new artistic opportunities in the Quad Cities.

🎧 Listen now and hear the stories behind the stage.
Web Stream Talking Art: wvik.org/podcast/talking-art
Spotify: https://bit.ly/4bnKM2q (Link in bio)

08/21/2026

What a summer it’s been for arts and culture in the Quad Cities — and it's not done yet! 😎🎉

It’s been exciting to see so many people out and about, experiencing everything our region’s cultural organizations have put together this summer. There’s been such a great energy across the Quad Cities, and the Culture Bright Summer Series has given us even more reasons to get out, explore, and build community.

We’re grateful to The Cultural Trust for its continued support of our community and so many organizations doing this work throughout the region.

There’s still plenty ahead through August 23 — check out what’s coming up and make the most of the final days of the Culture Bright Summer Series!

🎉 THE WAIT IS OVER 🎉

Introducing the Culture Bright Summer Series.

August 13–23, the Quad Cities will come together for eleven consecutive days of arts, culture, music, history, science, nature, and community experiences across the region.

As Alternating Currents concludes, the inaugural Culture Bright Summer Series carries that momentum forward through a week of landmark events hosted by The Cultural Trust's Legacy Partners.
This is more than a series of events.

It's a celebration of the artists, organizations, volunteers, and audiences helping shape the future of the Quad Cities.

It's Culture Bright in action.

It's our community's commitment to becoming the most inclusive creative capital in the Midwest.

🎟 Tickets for select experiences are limited.

Explore the lineup, purchase tickets, and start planning your week:

08/21/2026

And we also have Leigh Macemore who uses the art of pyrography to burn images of wildlife onto pieces of wood. She then uses gauche to add color and detail. They are truly lovely. When you come see all of us at Riverssance, please stop by and ask these two artists about their work, they would love to talk to you! Cheri Olson is bringing her artwork on another non traditional material. Cheri paints on rocks and they are so gorgeous. The motifs are varied but they are all colorful and magical. Drop by and see all the artists at Riverssance this year!
*
Riverssance Festival of Fine Art takes place on September 19-20 at the Beautiful Lindsey Park in the Village of East Davenport. Hours are: Saturday 10-5 and Sunday 10-4.

08/20/2026

This year’s Alternating Currents Mural Fest brought four new murals to walls across Rock Island, Davenport, and Bettendorf. Each one has its own style and story, and together they give us another reason to explore our downtowns, look a little closer at the spaces around us, and experience more art in our everyday lives.

-BrandoPunk (Brando Punk) — Bent River Brewing, Rock Island
-Atlanta Dawn (Atlanta Dawn) — Klemme’s Motorsports, Davenport
-Andray Kravtsov () — Trash Can Annie / Ragged Records, Davenport
-Brian Wentworth ()— My Crystal Portal, Bettendorf

And the murals weren’t the only way we got to experience our downtowns during Alternating Currents! A big THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for three nights of Silent Disco fun. 🎧 Whether you danced with us in Arts Alley or high above downtown Davenport on the Skybridge, we loved seeing so many people come out and enjoy these spaces in a different way!

Thank you to the artists, businesses, property owners, partners, and everyone who helped make it all happen.

Now get out there and explore! Learn more about the event and projects here: www.quadcityarts.com/blog/public-art-comes-to-life-during-alternating-currents

​Photography courtesy of AJV Original - Wedding & Special Events Photographer Antonio Varela
www.ajvoriginal.com