Public Defender

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Public Defender Open Fri-Sat 9-6, Sun 11-4, or by appointment.

A multifaceted art space in downtown Belleville, IL featuring solo exhibitions, juried shows, experimental programming, and a retail space for indie comics, zines, and prints.

Get hyped and make it out to the opening reception THIS FRIDAY 5-8pm. Free food and drinks, plus a shop full of new zine...
10/19/2026

Get hyped and make it out to the opening reception THIS FRIDAY 5-8pm. Free food and drinks, plus a shop full of new zines, prints, and indie comics.

Joseph Jesse Ovalle 𝑁𝑜𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑀𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝙈𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝘼𝙧𝙩 nonnon_

We’re stoked to be hosting Joseph Ovalle’s exhibition, opening THIS FRIDAY NIGHT 5-8pm. His art is fantastic, and I’d lo...
10/19/2026

We’re stoked to be hosting Joseph Ovalle’s exhibition, opening THIS FRIDAY NIGHT 5-8pm. His art is fantastic, and I’d love to pack the house to see his work.

It feels special having Joseph here because he was instrumental in getting Public Defender to happen. Besides Danny, Stacie, and contractor Dylan Martin (of the Martin Room), Joseph came over most frequently, spent the most time helping with demolition, lent us tools, got a busted lip when a panel light swung down, and had relentless encouragement toward seeing this through.

He also donated a bunch of wood for Danny’s studio in back. As he told us, “when I eat, the pack eats.” Cheers to his generosity 🍻

Highlight from OH MY WORD:Megan Rieke “Driving Towards Nowhere” | 2025oil on paperRieke paints the phrase “Driving towar...
10/18/2026

Highlight from OH MY WORD:

Megan Rieke
“Driving Towards Nowhere” | 2025
oil on paper

Rieke paints the phrase “Driving towards nowhere somewhere between here and there landing nowhere.” But the phrase gets imbued with emotion and connotations with the grayish palette of warm and cool colors, frenetic presentation, and rendering that exists in a state between hurried and carefully studied. It’s a vivid reminder of how the signifying power of words is shaped by their visual expression.

— — — — — —

OH MY WORD is on view at Public Defender in Belleville, IL, and closes today, October 18th. We’re open Friday and Saturday 9-6, Sunday 11-4, or by appointment. Call 314-825-7619 to schedule a weekday appointment.

Highlight from OH MY WORD:William Harroff“Colleagues from the Beyond” | 2023digital canvas“You’re Really Half American” ...
10/18/2026

Highlight from OH MY WORD:

William Harroff
“Colleagues from the Beyond” | 2023
digital canvas

“You’re Really Half American” | 2023
digital canvas

William "Wascally Wee W***y" Harroff is inspired by banned comics from the 1950s. At first glance, the kaleidoscopic surfaces my appear as funny formal studies in pattern and repetition. But on closer inspection, the captions and figures congeal into a claustrophobic hall of mirrors whose subjetcs are caught in a menacing monologue.

— — — — — —

OH MY WORD is on view at Public Defender in Belleville, IL, and closes today, October 18th. We’re open Friday and Saturday 9-6, Sunday 11-4, or by appointment. Call 314-825-7619 to schedule a weekday appointment.

Highlight from OH MY WORD:Mackenzie White “To this day” | 2025accordion bookWhite created a tender and beautiful accordi...
10/18/2026

Highlight from OH MY WORD:

Mackenzie White
“To this day” | 2025
accordion book

White created a tender and beautiful accordion book with reflections about her mother. The distressed, lived-in quality of the book is perfectly suited for the emotional content.

— — — — — —

OH MY WORD is on view at Public Defender in Belleville, IL, and closes today. We’re open Friday and Saturday 9-6, Sunday 11-4, or by appointment. Call 314-825-7619 to schedule a weekday appointment.

10/18/2026

It’s the last day of CARTOON CARNIVAL. From now til 4pm you can get an eyeful or take home one of Joan Rifkin’s one-of-kind creations. This is her first of what should be many more exhibitions in our region.

Imperfections welcome
10/17/2026

Imperfections welcome

NEW SHOP ITEMWe’re pleased to be carrying “Where in the World Are My Boobs?” by Claudia Silver Claudia Silver. This is a...
10/16/2026

NEW SHOP ITEM

We’re pleased to be carrying “Where in the World Are My Boobs?” by Claudia Silver Claudia Silver. This is a 99-page graphic novel chronicling Silver’s comic adventures after a double mastectomy. Breast cancer might be dark and scary, but this book is funny.

NEW SHOP ITEMIntroducing “Nerve-ana” by Elle Fitz Elle (El.) Fitz. This is a lush riso-printed 8-page zine with vulnerab...
10/16/2026

NEW SHOP ITEM

Introducing “Nerve-ana” by Elle Fitz Elle (El.) Fitz. This is a lush riso-printed 8-page zine with vulnerable declarations inspired by the music of Nirvana. Appealing to Cobain fans, artists, alt kids, LGBTQIA+ folks, photographers, designers, and weirdos alike. Grab a copy today.

Highlight from OH MY WORD:Brandon Perkins 25.5.2.3 | 2025scrap on mat board26.1.8.1 | 2026scrap paper and gouache on boa...
10/16/2026

Highlight from OH MY WORD:

Brandon Perkins
25.5.2.3 | 2025
scrap on mat board

26.1.8.1 | 2026
scrap paper and gouache on board

25.12.19.2 | 2025
scrap and gouache on board

Perkins’ small compositions almost work like the visual equivalent of an amuse-bouche. They’re delectable formal studies using pre-digital print materials. The type and textures hint at worlds and narratives from decades past.

— — — — — —

OH MY WORD is on view at Public Defender in Belleville, IL, now through this Sunday, October 18th. We’re open Friday and Saturday 9-6, Sunday 11-4, or by appointment. Call 314-825-7619 to schedule a weekday appointment.

Address

123 West Main Street
St. Louis, MO
62220

Opening Hours

Friday 9am - 6pm
Saturday 9am - 6pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

+13148257619

Website

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