Rock Island Art Guild

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Rock Island Art Guild

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The Rock Island Art Guild was founded in 1955 by a group of individuals who wanted to cultivate an ac

The Rock Island Art Guild was founded in 1955 and meant to foster an interest in local art talent through the Rock Island Fine Arts Exhibition. Since then the Art Guild has grown to incorporate Art programs at the elementary, jr. high and high school level through contests and scholarships.

10/23/2026

Here are a few more photos from the mural at Earl Hanson that the Rock Island Art Guild helped to fund.

10/21/2026

Check out this Figge event!

Send a message to learn more

09/23/2026

A few photos from our Opening Reception at the Figge Art Museum on Sept. 10th. The 44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition is up from September 5, 2026 - January 10, 2027, check it out!

09/03/2026

The “44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition” opens this Saturday at the Figge!

Featuring 65 works by 58 artists living within 200 miles of the museum, this year’s exhibition offers a compelling look at the breadth of artistic practice in our region today, from painting, sculpture, and photography to experimental video, assemblage, and collage.

What can 65 works by 58 artists tell us about art being made in our region today? Co-Senior Curator Joshua Johnson takes us inside this year's exhibition, sharing what surprised him as it came together, the connections he discovered among the works, and what the exhibition reveals about contemporary art in the Midwest.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄?

First and foremost, it demonstrates that the Midwest is home to an extraordinary range of talented artists. Because arts coverage tends to focus on the coasts and major urban centers, there can be an assumption that the middle of the country does not have the same richness of cultural and artistic activity. Exhibitions like the Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition prove that is simply not true.

The exhibition also reflect certain artistic traditions that have long been associated with the Midwest. Figuration has deep roots in the region, from American Regionalism to the Chicago Imagists and the Hairy Who. Although this exhibition includes some excellent abstract work, most of the selected pieces are representational, and many incorporate the human figure in some way. It is interesting to see contemporary artists continuing that history while bringing their own perspectives and concerns to it.

📍 Plan your visit today!
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🖼️ Installation view: "44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition," Figge Art Museum, 2026

EXHIBITION SPONSORS 🙏
Premier Sponsor: Rock Island Art Guild
Media Sponsor: KLJB FOX-18

08/29/2026

Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition Opening Reception
September 10, 2026 | 6:00pm - 8:00pm
LOCATION: Figge Art Museum

07/29/2026

Looking forward to our 44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition at the Figge Art Museum!
This year’s juror, Katherine Alcauskas, Chief Curator at the Chazen Museum of Art, University of Wisconsin–Madison, will select the exhibition from digital submissions. Award recipients will be chosen in person following installation.
Save the date: September 10, 2026 is our Opening Reception!

07/03/2026

Looking back on old posts (as I try to negotiate making admin. changes to the page). Cards like this one created by a student had, and have, much meaning for me.

From the Rock Island Center for Math and Science.

06/16/2026

Call for entries for artists for the 44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition at the Figge Art Museum. The deadline is June 21, 2026.

Read more about 44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition on CaFE

09/09/2022

Azubuike Arts held a wonderful open house tonight. The Guild has provided funding for their children's art programming.

Address

Rock Island, IL

Website

http://www.rockislandartguild.org/

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