What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 11am - 4pm Wednesday 11am - 4pm Thursday 11am - 6pm Friday 11am - 4pm Saturday 11am - 4pm

KVAL nfp

KVAL nfp Kishwaukee Valley Art League
Founded in 1972
A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization
(4)

The Kishwaukee Valley Art League (KVAL) welcomes artists and supporters of the arts of all ages, races, orientations, identities, abilities, national origins, faith traditions, and backgrounds. We encourage and celebrate art of all kinds, including work from traditionally under-represented populations and pieces which explore diverse social, political, and cultural perspectives. We are all enriche

d as people and as artists to the extent that we engage with the rich tapestry of humanity in all its variety.

09/30/2024

KVAL October 2024 Press Release...

The KVAL General Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 3, 7:00 pm at Gallery on State in downtown Sycamore. This meeting is free and open to the public. There will be a demo presented by watercolor artist and teacher, Daniel Danielson. A graduate of the American Academy of Art, Danielson is a signature member of the internationally recognized Transparent Watercolor Society of America. He is also a signature member, board member and program director of The Illinois Watercolor Society. Danielson says, “My greatest achievement is whenever I get a chance to help a beginner to discover the fascinating medium of watercolor. Art is meant to be shared.”

The Featured Artist for the month of October is KVAL Treasurer Sharon Saponari. In addition to KVAL, Sharon is a member of the Rock River Valley Painters Guild in Oregon, IL and The Next Picture Show in Dixon. Sharon says, “Painting is my happy place. I spend hours in my studio or outdoors with my easel, sliding pigmented medium across canvas or boards.” Her work is on display and for sale in the East window and adjoining wall at the gallery.

Grab your broomsticks! KVAL’s Gallery on State will be participating in downtown Sycamore’s event “Witches Night Out”. The event will be on Thursday, October 10, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. Let us cast our spell on you.

The “Second Saturday” workshop is on October 12 from 10:00 am until Noon at the gallery. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this workshop. Hosted by KVAL artist Rick Borrett, the theme will be “My Favorite Color”. Bring your own art supplies and plan to enjoy networking with those in attendance.

All new art will be rotated into the gallery on October 14. Much of this art, both two and three-dimensional, featuring fall and winter themes, will be available through mid-January 2025.

KVAL is hosting a Business After Hours for its Sycamore Chamber of Commerce members. This event will be held at the Gallery on State on October 17. KVAL members, KVAL patrons, and Sycamore Chamber members are welcome to stop by and visit with the artists and admire the artwork between the hours of 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

The gallery will be open on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27 for the 63rd Annual Sycamore Pumpkin Festival. Artists will be working on their art at the gallery on Sunday. KVAL is planning to enter a float in the Sunday parade for its third consecutive year. The float will deal with the 2024 theme “Pumpkins Around the World.”

The “Young Picasso’s” art program will continue at the gallery through October 31, with Halloween and Fall themed art available for youngsters to color. Drawing sheets and supplies are provided by KVAL. This program is available anytime that the gallery is open. Children twelve and under must be accompanied by an adult.

The photo below contains a watercolor by Daniel Danielson and an acrylic by Sharon Saponari.

09/19/2024

Congratulations to KVAL member Larry Bond for placing second in a People's Choice voting in the recent Watercolor Art Exhibit at the Coliseum of Art, Antiques & Americana in Dixon. His cityscape titled "Afternoon Shower" accompanies this post. Congratulations Larry!

09/14/2024

The "Downtown Sycamore Chalk Walk" was held on Saturday, September 14, 2024. KVAL members participating were Doug Overton and Victoria Menard. Thank you for your time and talent representing KVAL and Gallery on State.

09/14/2024

The September 2024 Second Saturday topic was "My Favorite Color", hosted by KVAL member Rick Borrett.

09/06/2024

At the September 2024 KVAL General Meeting, members presented their interpretations of the "Create with KVAL" theme "Spectacle Events".

09/04/2024

The Featured Artist for the month of September is Rick Borrett. Rick specializes in acrylic painting and wood carving. His work is on display and for sale in the East window and adjoining wall at Gallery on State, 322 W. State Street, in the heart of downtown Sycamore, Illinois.

08/28/2024

Press Release (September 2024)...

KVAL begins its September events with their General Meeting on September 5 at 7:00 pm. There will be a “Create with KVAL” theme entitled "Spectacle Entertainment” during which KVAL members will present artwork based on events such as carnivals, circuses, rock concerts, rodeos, and theater. The meeting, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Gallery on State, 322 W. State Street, in the heart of downtown Sycamore, IL.

The featured artist for the month of September is Rick Borrett. His work is on display in the east window and adjoining wall at Gallery on State. His art can be purchased at the gallery. Rick specializes in wood carving and acrylic painting.

Saturday, September 14 will be the “Downtown Sycamore Chalk Walk” from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Artists will be creating chalk masterpieces on the sidewalks at the DeKalb County Courthouse. This chalk walk is a to***co free event. Only registered artists may participate, and payment must accompany registration. Judging will begin at 3:00 pm.

The “Burning Cicada Arts and Music Picnic Festival” will be held at Hopkins Park in DeKalb, IL on Saturday, September 21 from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm. Vendors will be set up in the shelter near the Dee Palmer Bandshell. This year marks the sixth year of this event. KVAL Artist Wayne Roe will be on hand to display and sell his unique acrylic art as well as draw cartoon caricatures of festival participants.

Due to extraordinary interest by members of the community, KVAL has decided to extend the “Young Picasso’s Art Program”, sponsored by Kunes Auto, with a Fall theme. This program will continue through the end of October. A table with art supplies will be set up in the gallery during the hours of 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Tuesday through Friday. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. An artist will be available to get the children started. There is no cost to participate.

Photo left to right:
Rick Borrett, September Featured Artist, works on an acrylic painting at the gallery. Wayne Roe draws a cartoon caricature. Photographer Rich Born's photo for the "Spectacle Entertainment" theme at the September general meeting.

08/16/2024

A special thank you to KVAL member Carol Callahan for hosting a painting workshop at Club 55 on Tuesday, August 13, 2024.

Photos by Alec Rossiter.

08/10/2024

Rick Borrett hosted the August Second Saturday workshop from 10 am until Noon on August 10. Rick wanted participants to create something near and dear to them. Something that the viewer would look at and say, 'This was done by so-and-so' before they see the name of the artist.

08/02/2024

KVAL began the month of August 2024 with its General Meeting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 1. This meeting was held at Gallery on State in Sycamore and featured a demonstration on black-and-white woodblock printmaking by Alfred Stark. He uses a centuries old relief printing technique that requires a few simple hand tools, fine-grained wood and Kozo paper. Alfred says, “Through black-and-white prints, I am able to get to the nature of what I see, feel and know in my subject.”

08/02/2024

The August 2024 Featured Artist is Kathleen Kelly Weisser. Much of her art represents the different stages of a woman’s life. Her paintings are also inspired by nature, especially wildflowers. Kathleen works mainly in acrylics, graphite pencil, charcoal and wire sculpture. Some of her sculptures include life-size wire dresses and 5 ft wire and paper flowers. In her career as a licensed clinical social worker, in addition to counseling individuals and families, Kathleen facilitated Women’s Expressive Art Groups. These groups increased Kathleen’s interest in creating art as a means of self-expression. Her work is on display and for sale in the East Window and adjoining wall at Gallery on State.

07/30/2024

New art was rotated into the Sycamore Public Library on July 30, 2024. If you are interested in purchasing any of the art, contact information is available at the library for each artist.

07/29/2024

New art was rotated into the DeKalb Public Library on July 29, 2024. Artist information accompanies each piece. Contact the artist if you are interested in purchasing the art.

07/28/2024

Talk about Caricatures. Here's one of watercolor artist Larry Bond created by Wayne Roe.

07/28/2024

COME ON DOWN to the old time car show in the heart of beautiful downtown Sycamore! KVAL Gallery on State is open all day today Sunday July 28. All new art was rotated into the gallery last week. Several artists are at work creating art in the gallery. You can also have a personalized cartoon caricature drawn.

07/28/2024

A special thanks goes to KVAL's own Pam Bradford, a phenomenal wood burning artist. She taught a pyrography class at Gallery on State from 10am until Noon on July 27, 2024. The accompanying photos capture the event.

07/25/2024

Young Picasso's at work at Gallery on State, July 25, 2024.

07/23/2024

Gallery on State, 322 W. State Street in the heart of downtown Sycamore, Illinois, has just rotated ALL NEW ART into the gallery on July 22, 2024. This is our largest new rotation ever, with nearly 150 new pieces of art from members of the Kishwaukee Valley Art League (KVAL). This show will run through October 12, but don't wait to come see what is available--your favorite piece of art may sell fast. It is also noteworthy that this show has the biggest collection of LARGE 2-D art that we have ever had. So, if you are looking for that perfect piece to hang above the fireplace or on that big empty wall, now is the time to stop by.

Hours: Tues, Wed, Fri, and Sat: 11 am until 4 pm.
Thursday: 11 am until 6 pm.
Closed: Sunday and Monday

07/23/2024

Rick Borrett will be hosting the August Second Saturday workshop from 10 am until Noon on August 10. Regarding this workshop, Rick says, “create something that is YOU – near and dear to you. Something that the viewer would look at and say, ‘this was done by so-and-so’ before they see the name.”

07/23/2024

August 2024 Press Release...

KVAL begins the month of August with its General Meeting at 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 1. This meeting will be held at Gallery on State in Sycamore and features a demonstration on black-and-white woodblock printmaking by Alfred Stark. He uses a centuries old relief printing technique that requires a few simple hand tools, fine-grained wood and Kozo paper. Alfred says, “Through black-and-white prints, I am able to get to the nature of what I see, feel and know in my subject.” This meeting is free and open to the public.

The August Featured Artist is Kathleen Kelly Weisser. Much of her art represents the different stages of a woman’s life. Her paintings are also inspired by nature, especially wildflowers. Kathleen works mainly in acrylics, graphite pencil, charcoal and wire sculpture. Some of her sculptures include life size wire dresses and 5 ft wire and paper flowers. In her career as a licensed clinical social worker, in addition to counseling individuals and families, Kathleen facilitated Women’s Expressive Art Groups. These groups increased Kathleen’s interest in creating art as a means of self-expression. Her work is on display and for sale in the East Window and adjoining wall at Gallery on State.

Rick Borrett will be hosting the August Second Saturday workshop from 10 am until Noon on August 10. Regarding this workshop, Rick says, “create something that is YOU – near and dear to you. Something that the viewer would look at and say, ‘this was done by so-and-so’ before they see the name.”

The KVAL “Young Picasso’s” Kids Summer Art Program, sponsored by Kunes Auto, continues through August 12. KVAL has provided some great subject matter for kids to color, or they can create their own. A table with art supplies will be set up in the gallery during the hours of 11:00 am to 3:00 pm Tuesday through Friday. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. An artist will be available to get the children started. There is no cost to participate.

All new art was rotated into the gallery on July 22 and will be available through October 12. A wide variety of 2-D and 3-D art is on display and can be purchased during open gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday each week.

Photo below:

(Left) Alfred Stark woodblock print.
(Center) Kathleen Kelly Weisser painting
(Right) Example of work done by Young Picasso's

07/13/2024

The Young Picasso's Kid's Summer Art Program continues with much enthusiasm! Thank you to Kunes Auto for sponsoring this activity for children at Gallery on State!

07/13/2024

Participants in the Second Saturday workshop on July 13 were free to work on whatever they wanted to do. Everyone had a great time.

07/05/2024

KVAL's Young Picasso's Kid's Summer Art Program continues to be very popular this summer. The attached photo shows some of the art created by children while attending this program at Gallery on State, 322 W. State St., Sycamore. Thank you to KVAL members Tammy Shriver and Wayne Roe for heading up this program. Also, thanks go to KVAL Patron Kunes Auto for sponsoring this program.

07/05/2024

KVAL Vice President, Rich Born, will be the guest speaker at Resource Bank Somonauk Branch on Wednesday, July 10th, at Noon. The event is open to Resource Bank customers and their guests. See the accompanying announcement for details. RSVP has been extended beyond July 5.

07/03/2024

The KVAL Featured Artist for the month of July is Larry Bond. His work is on display and for sale at Gallery on State, 322 W. State Street, Sycamore, IL. Check out the East window and adjoining wall, where his beautiful watercolor paintings are hanging. Larry is a Signature Member of the Illinois Watercolor Society.

Address

322 W State St
Sycamore, IL
60178

Opening Hours

Tuesday	11am - 4pm
Wednesday	11am - 4pm
Thursday	11am - 6pm
Friday	11am - 4pm
Saturday	11am - 4pm

Website

https://linktr.ee/kvalgalleryonstate

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Videos

Doug’s gel print

The big reveal! Doug unveils his gel plate print during the Second Saturday workshop on April 13, 2024.

Thank you to our new KVAL member James Blanchard for designing a great new video about Gallery on State. James does professional work in designing videos with music and voice-over. This video can also be found on the Gallery page of the KVAL website at https://kval-nfp.org.

KVAL Gallery on State has a great selection of Holiday and Winter related fine art and crafts available for purchase! Consider stopping by soon to pick out your favorite items while they are still available. We are located at 322 W. State Street in the heart of downtown Sycamore, IL. Hours: Tue, Wed, Fri, and Sat 11am - 4pm; Thursday 11am-6pm.

Brad Cahill shows how to split a stone block as the demonstrator at the KVAL General Meeting on October 5.

This is a 3D-printed kinetic art piece created by KVAL member Richard Born. The title of this kinetic art is "Complementary Colors". The piece will be in the West window at Gallery on State through August 2023. It can be viewed 24/7 and is also for sale during gallery hours.

Sideshow Josiah provided acoustic guitar music at the 52nd Annual Northern Illinois Art Show.

Cole Brandt provided acoustic guitar music Sunday afternoon at the 52nd Annual Northern Illinois Art Show.

Only 3 hours until Give Dekalb County is over! It went by so fast! Thank you to those who already donated, shared any of our posts/got the word out about our league! We’re so excited for what’s to come!Thank you, thank you, thank you! ❤️#givedekalbcounty Give DeKalb County

We’ve got until midnight to donate, consider donating to KVAL! ❤️ #givedekalbcounty Give DeKalb County

✨TODAY IS THE DAY! ✨Click the link in our bio or visit givedekalbcounty.org to donate to KVAL! 🎨 #givedekalbcounty #maythe4thbewithyou #giveback

😮We’ve got 2 hours until GIVE DEKALB COUNTY begins!😮 Click the link in our bio or visit givedekalbcounty.org ⬆️ to donate to KVAL! Help us grow our art community!❤️ #givedekalbcounty #artcommunity #donate

🎨Sign up today and get 50% off of our Squeegee Painting Class with Maria! Register by visiting the link in our bio, click “Squeegee Painting with Maria 🎨” and fill out a few questions. If we don’t have at least 5 people by the 11th we’ll have to reschedule for a different time 🎨 All credit goes to @sharecestudios with this gorgeous video! ✨ #squeegee #squeegeepainting #squeegeelife #painting #galleryonstate #sycamore #sycamoreil #nonforprofit

"SEE and HEAR" the sound of "Needle Felters" working on their masterpieces at KVAL Gallery on State in downtown Sycamore!

A special thank you to David and Alec for providing music at the Spring Reception at Gallery on State (24-March-2023)! Here is a little sample.

The public is invited to attend a Spring Reception TONIGHT Friday, March 24. from 6p.m til 8p.m. to view the gallery’s new Spring art. Enjoy live music, a few light snacks, attendees can feel free to bring their own beverages! 🌼 The "Spring Reception" was held at Gallery on State on Friday, March 24, 2023 from 6-8pm. The public was invited to meet the artists. Everyone enjoyed the evening that included live music, snacks, water, and wine.