“44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition" at the Figge Art Museum -- September 5 through January 10.
Exhibit: Saturday, September 5, through Sunday, January 10
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 10, 6 – 8 p.m.
Figge Art Museum, 225 West Second Street, Davenport IA
An eagerly awaited tradition featuring dozens of recent and debuting works in a variety of artistic mediums, the 44th edition of the Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition will be on display at the Figge Art Museum from September 5 through January 10. Featuring 65 works by 58 artists living within 200 miles of the museum, this long-running exhibition offers a compelling look at the breadth of artistic practice in our region today. This year's exhibition spans painting, sculpture, and photography alongside experimental video, assemblage, and collage, bringing together a remarkable variety of perspectives and approaches
Since 1970, the Rock Island Art Guild has been the driving force behind organizing this exhibition, a tradition deeply rooted in the celebration of art and culture. Elyse Nurenberg, Assistant Registrar at the Figge, has been instrumental in coordinating this year's installation, showcasing the museum's dedication to fostering community pride, and building a sense of belonging through the arts. The partnership between the Rock Island Art Guild and the Figge Art Museum highlights a shared mission to honor and uplift artists from the Quad Cities and beyond.
This year’s juror, Katherine Alcauskas, Chief Curator at the Chazen Museum of Art, University of Wisconsin–Madison, will select the works included in the exhibition based on digital submissions. Award recipients will be selected in person following the exhibit's installation. Among the prizes available are:
Exhibition Awards:
First Place: $1,500
Second Place: $750
Third Place Founder’s Award in Honor of Art Guild Member William Hannan: $500
Zeivel Harris Sculpture Award: $500
Digital Art, Performance, Sound, and Video Award: $300
Honorable Mention: $100
People’s Choice Award: $100
Children’s Choice Award: $100
Sally MacMillan Watercolor Awards:
First Place: $1,000
Second Place: $500
Third Place: $250
Organized by the Rock Island Art Guild since 1970, this long-running exhibition has served as a vital platform for contemporary artists and a point of connection for the Quad Cities arts community. The Figge has proudly hosted and co-organized the exhibition since 2016.
Asked what the exhibition tells us about art being made in our region right now, the Figge's Co-Senior Curator Joshua Johnson said: "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."
An opening reception for the 44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition on September 10, held from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will celebrate creativity and artistic achievement with an awards presentation recognizing outstanding works selected by the exhibition jurors. Guests are invited to view the exhibition, meet participating artists, and celebrate the continued legacy of the Rock Island Art Guild’s commitment to supporting and promoting the visual arts in the Quad Cities.
44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition will be on display in the Davenport venue's third-floor galleries from September 5 through January 10, with regular museum hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Saturdays (10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursdays) and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Museum admission is $8-14, and more information on the exhibit is available by calling (563)326-7804 and visiting FiggeArtMuseum.org.
