Focusing on the artist's earlier works that employ found objects as inspiration, the Figge Art Museum's exhibition George Olson: The Found Object, on display June 9 (the day of the museum's re-opening) through 28, finds its creator using a range of mediums – among them woodcut relief, ink wash, charcoal, and assemblage – to move beyond the objects he is referencing in order to create bold graphic abstractions that simulate the intriguing surface textures of his source material.

With its showcased talent acclaimed for his mixed-media paintings and prints that utilize a variety of techniques including woodcarving and collage, the exhibition Didier William: Lakou graces Davenport's Figge Art Museum from June 9 (the day of the museum's re-opening) through August 23, its artist drawing on Haitian history, mythology, and personal experience to explore significant themes of cultural identity.

A local legend in the arts of calligraphy, lettering, and painting will have a number of his estimable works showcased in the latest Beréskin Gallery & Art Studio exhibit, with the Bettendorf venue inviting visitors to view the talents of a former St. Ambrose University instructor in Paul Herrera: Rhythm & Movement, on display from May 29 through June 25.

In a combined celebration of The Great Outdoors, beautiful and evocative works by a pair of Iowa-based artists will be showcased in the next Quad City Arts exhibition running through June 19, with the venue's Web site currently displaying photographs by Ken Urban of Durant and paintings by Margaret Ertz of Burlington.

Many thanks to all who entered the River Cities' Reader’s Spring 2020 Photo Contest for which we received dozens of entries in the categories of "Past," "Present," and "Future." Here are our winners and honorable mentions – congratulations to all!

People gather in celebration with friends and strangers alike on the streets of downtown Davenport while rainbow banners wave behind them. Taken during the 2019 Pridefest, these images by photojournalist Andy Abeyta document one of the many events planned by Quad Cities Unity Pride during its annual QC Unity Pride Week, and can currently be viewed online in the Figge Art Museum's virtual exhibition QC Pride Photographs by Andy Abeyta, on display through August 2.

Currently Installed in the Figge Art Museum’s second-floor orientation gallery, the Davenport venue's new exhibition Seen & Heard: The Art of Empowerment will be available for online and in-person viewing through May 2.

Works by a celebrated Chicagoland painter and more than 100 up-and-coming area artists are set to decorate the Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy beginning May 23, with the Bettendorf venue welcoming visitors to two brand-new art exhibitions running through May 28: Nina Weiss: Prairie Visions and Back to the Future: A Student Exhibit.

Vicki Rocker, organizer for the Spring 2020 Beaux Arts Fair, discusses her organization's switch to a virtual version of the annual Mother's Day-weekend event, with this year's festival taking place online May 9 and 10. We spoke on Wednesday, April 29.

Great news, shutterbugs! The River Cities’ Reader’s photo contest has returned, with three new categories for your submissions: “Past,” “Present,” and “Future.” Entrants are welcome to interpret the categories however they wish.

The deadline for entries is Thursday, May 7, and the rules are below. Gift cards will be awarded to first-place winners, and we plan to publish both contest champs and runners-up at RCReader.com and in the next print edition of the River Cities’ Reader, available on May 14.

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