[DUBUQUE, IA] Dubuque's newest art space, eronel ART + MUSIC VENUE, will host an opening reception for artist Michael Garside's solo exhibition on Friday, February 2 from 7-10 p.m. in the lower level of the Cooper Wagon Works building, 285 Main Street in downtown Dubuque. The exhibit features abstract acrylic works and explorations in color and circular cellular construction. "I'm attracted to circles, they represent the universal, like the circle of life. When you break things down to their most basic form they become cells," Garside says about his work. "There is a perceived randomness about circles, there are no right angles, circles suggest a certain chaos and fragility, yet, they purposefully fit together."

Garside is a Dubuque native who has lived in New York City and in the Pacific Northwest. His recent exhibitions include the Pepper Sprout restaurant and Carnegie Stout's Art @ Your Library series. His upcoming exhibit boasts exceptional color. "I was diagnosed with color blindness as a small child so painting for me is about experimenting with color and contrast and feeling free to explore that," Garside says "A lot of times painting is just about experimenting and enjoying the end result."

eronel ART + MUSIC VENUE brings a new artful presence to downtown Dubuque's Historic Old Main Street District by hosting music, performance art, and offering a new home for exhibiting artists in Dubuque's cultural district. The new venue opens on February 1 with a musical performance by Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts.

Michael Garside's paintings will be on exhibition through March 2, 2013 with evening gallery hours Wednesday through Saturday, 7p.m. - 11 pm and by appointment. Learn more about Garside's work by visiting theartfeed.com.

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Illinois Jobs Now! Capital Program Investing $15 Million to Develop New Exhibits, Improve Museum Facilities and Create Jobs

CHICAGO - January 10, 2013. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that public museums across Illinois will receive $15 million in state capital investments to improve facilities and develop new exhibits while creating more than 370 jobs. Supported by Governor Quinn's Illinois Jobs Now! capital program, the investments will help give the millions of people who visit Illinois' public museums each year a better understanding of Illinois' culture, history and natural heritage.

"Our museums expand educational frontiers by allowing visitors to learn about Illinois' history and cultural diversity in unique, interactive ways," Governor Quinn said. "These Illinois Jobs Now! grants will not only help preserve and enhance some of Illinois' greatest treasures, but also boost the economy by creating jobs and bringing more visitors to our state and its outstanding museums."

The projects are part of the Illinois Public Museum Capital Grants Program, which is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).

"The Museum Capital Grants Program assists local public museums in meeting their educational missions by upgrading or expanding museum facilities," said IDNR Director Marc Miller. "Museums play a vital role in helping students, families, and visitors to Illinois better understand the culture, history and natural heritage of local communities and the state of Illinois."

Today's grant recipients represent a wide range of cultural interests from across Illinois. The National Hellenic Museum and National Public Housing Museum in Chicago are expected to attract visitors from across the nation, as will the Lincoln Park Zoo's state-of-the-art Japanese Macaque exhibit. Glimpses into Illinois' past will be experienced at the Galena and U.S. Grant Museum's "Port of Galena" exhibit, Kankakee County Museum's celebration of "French Heritage" and the 1940s Music Store at the Joliet Area Historical Museum. Illinois children will enjoy the new "My Great Backyard" exhibit at the Children's Discovery Museum in Normal, the Kohl Children's Museum's "Books and Crannies" exhibit and the Chicago Children's Museum "I-Lab." A complete list of projects is attached.

Today's announcement marks the second time Governor Quinn has made a significant investment in public museums throughout Illinois. In 2010, nearly $15 million in capital dollars funded exhibit expansion and improvements at more than 50 museums, including new garden exhibits at the Botanic Gardens in both Glencoe and the Quad Cities, an interactive exhibit exploring the history of immigration at the Midway Village Museum in Rockford, and a new conservation and outreach center at the Chicago Zoological Society.

Governor Quinn's $31 billion Illinois Jobs Now! capital construction program is the largest in Illinois history. The program, which began in 2009, is expected to support an estimated 439,000 construction jobs over six years.

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The German American Heritage Center will be opening its brand new exhibit Vintage Vows & Veils on Sunday, January 13th with a talk on German Wedding Traditions with Kathlyn Hofmann at 2pm. Ms. Hofmann will discuss interesting ways in which American traditions differ from the German to kick off our celebration of brides in the Quad Cities.

The exhibition features over 30 gowns from 1868 to 1968 with a visual timeline of bridal fashion. Cake toppers, garters, veils, and other artifacts of the wedding are on display from local families with German roots.

The exhibit runs January 13th through May 26th and is sponsored by Genesis. Admission is $5 for Adults, $4 for Seniors, and $3 for Children 5-17. The German American Heritage Center is located at 712 W 2nd St. Davenport, IA and is open Tuesday through Saturday 10a.m. to 4p.m. and Sundays 12p.m. to 4p.m.

Daisies:

• Ocean Commotion: February 16, 2-5 p.m.
  Watch out for the Giant Octopus! Come join us as we go through the Museum and dive into hands-on ocean activities, crafts, and demonstrations. Take a tour of the exhibit Ocean Experience and see live sea life right here at the Putnam. Want to feel like you are in the ocean? Come and watch a 3D documentary about ocean life in the National Geographic Giant Screen Theater. An afternoon of ocean fun!

• Global Girls Jr.: April 13, 2-5 p.m.
  It's Global Girls for Daisies! Scouts will visit the mummies of Egypt, the Fu Dogs of Asia, and the wildlife of Africa as they travel the Exhibit Halls to play games, make crafts, and learn about cultures from around the world. Along with the exhibits, they will learn about one culture in depth as they watch a movie in our National Geographic Giant Screen Theater. Travel the world right here at the Putnam! No need for passports or packing bags here.

• Teddy Bear Tea: May 11, 2-5 p.m.
  Come join us for a spot of tea! Bring your Teddy bears and tea cups for an afternoon of tea and activities. Scouts will decorate cookies while they drink tea and juice, then go through the Museum to make crafts and play games just like girls from the early 1900s. A wonderful way to enjoy a day at the Putnam!

Brownies & Juniors:

• Brainstorm: January 11, 6-9 p.m.
  How do you build a machine to throw a marshmallow across the room? How can you protect an egg from a two-story fall? Work out your brain muscles at our annual Brainstorm event. Scouts will participate in science experiments, inventions, and creations all night long!

• Oceanfest: February 22, 6-9 p.m.
  What covers two-thirds of the Earth? Oceans! Come learn about the mysterious deep with hands-on activities, crafts, and demonstrations; including water experiments! Watch a 3D documentary in the National Geographic Giant Screen Theater on ocean life and feel like you are swimming with the fish; this evening is sure to be a splashing good time.

• Global Girls: April 26, 6-9 p.m.
  Visit the mummies of Egypt, the Fu Dogs of Asia, and the wildlife of Africa all right here at the Putnam. Scouts will travel the exhibit halls where they will play games, make crafts, and learn about cultures from around the world. Then they will learn about one culture in depth as they watch a movie in the National Geographic Giant Screen Theater. No need for passports; your trek around the globe begins and ends here.

Visit girlscoutstoday.org/calendar to register. $13 per Girl Scout (includes badges), $10 per adult.  For more information, please contact Jen Ong at 563-324-1054 ext. 206 or ong@putnam.org.

STEM for Cub Scouts at the Putnam Museum - 2013 Schedule

NEW this year at the Putnam, you can earn your NOVA Awards! Join as we explore STEM topics (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), activities, experiments, and films!

Cub Scouts in 2nd-5th Grades:

• Simple Machines: January 25, 2013 6-9 p.m.
  Simple machines aren't so simple anymore! We will invent our own machines that use a lever, earn a belt loop, and go on the Putnam Museum's own Simple Machines Scavenger Hunt! This fun event will help you earn your "Swing" NOVA award.

• Math Maniacs: March 8, 2013 6-9 p.m.
  Math is everywhere! Can you calculate the height of the Putnam Museum? Can you figure out how much you would weigh if you were on the sun or the moon? We will learn all about math and how mathematicians use cryptography to design secret codes! This fun event will help you earn your "1-2-3 Go" NOVA award.

• Health Matters: April 2013 Time to be determined.
  What do you need to be ready in case of an emergency? Learn to be ready as a scout when we meet medics from the Red Cross and complete the Nutrition belt loop. This fun event will help you earn your "Science Everywhere" NOVA award.

For more information or to register, contact Alice Loff at 563-324-1054 ext. 266 or Kara Fedje at Fedje@putnam.org. Advance registration is required. $13 per Cub Scout, $10 per adult.

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