Almost two dozen original paintings of flowers and trees by members of the Plein Air Painters of Rockford. This exhibit is in cooperation with Klehm Arboretums event - Garden Fair.

Happy National Trails Day!
To celebrate National Trails Day, join a BCCD environmental educator and bike park of the Long Prairie Trail*! We will start at the County Line Road Trail Head parking lot, stop in Capron for a break and a treat, and then head back. Total trip mileage is 4-5 miles. This program is perfect for families and those who want an introduction to the Long Prairie Trail, but all are welcome! Those that want a longer bike ride are welcome to join us and then continue along the path!

Registration is required. To register, email dgrelecki@bccdil.org or call 8155477935.
Bikes and equipment are NOT provided. Helmets are required.

*The Long Prairie Trail is a 14.2 mile multi-recreational path that spans east to west across northern Boone County.

Paperwork weighing you down? Drop it off at the Genoa Public Library during our annual shred event and be done with it. Forest City Shredding from Rockford will have their shred truck parked in the parking lot behind the library. Pull your car into the alley, pop your trunk, and a friendly face will help put your paperwork into a secure bin to be loaded into the shred truck. It's that easy! Feel confident as you drive off that your personal information will be handled in a secure manner.

No need to be a Genoa Public Library cardholder or a Genoa resident. This is a free service that is offered to all.

Please note that there is a 100 pounds of paper limit per person. Questions? Call the library at 815-784-2627.

Join Severson Dells Nature Center for these family-friendly, open-house style events. Each month will have a different nature theme full of hands-on, minds-on activities for guests of all ages to participate in. In June learn all about the magnificent star that keeps us all alive through experiments, sun printing and more.

Lowden Gallery: Oregon High School Seniors Art Exhibit

​May 1 - June 30

Reception, May 8, 5pm – 7pm

This exhibit features artwork by Oregon High School graduating seniors, including Delila S, Sam S, Marin S, Sophia O, Merit N, Daleana K, Cristen M, Abbie L, Evelyn M, Daeshiap, and Ahren H.

Janet Cederlund & Jill Browne
Feature Wall, June 1 – 30
Sponsored by Stillman Bank

Jan Cederlund is a lifelong artisan dabbler, picking up watercolor in only the last 10+ years. Formerly a special education instructor, and later the executive director of a not-for-profit, Jan has worn many hats in her career, including managerial duties of her family-owned construction business. But none of these endeavors fulfilled her ongoing passion for creative outlet. In 2017, with retirement looming, Jan began formal instruction with her now artistic mentor, Robert Krajecki, IWSA-TWSA, with whom she continues instruction to present day. Having worked in many different mediums, Jan believed that watercolor was her true calling and has spent many years developing her skills and talents.

Today, Jan’s work can be found in many regional competitions and charitable sales as she continues to develop her personal style and expertise. Her painting signature is a simple JHaugen, a tribute to her maiden name and the beloved crayons that began her artistic journey. For Jan, watercolor is no longer a hobby, but a passion to carry her through the remaining decades.

Jill Browne

As long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed sketching and painting what I’ve seen around me, encouraged and supported by family and friends along the way. I attended some oil painting lessons as a child and took an assortment of art classes in college, but any real education has come in my later years through watercolor instruction that I have sought out locally. I owe a great debt of gratitude to two local artists in particular: Robert Krajecki of Kaneville, IL and Fatima Figueiredo of Geneva, IL whose patience and insightful instruction continue to guide me as I grow as an artist.

My preferred subject matter is still the world around me. I try to depict a certain time, a place, a moment that has spoken to me in some way. It is my hope that by committing that idea to paper, I might evoke in the viewer a feeling, an emotion or a memory that causes them to pause and ponder.

It never fails to amaze me how from a perfectly blank two dimensional surface an image seemingly emerges by use of color, form, value, perspective (and all the rest) and becomes a “readable” piece of information. This is thrilling to me!

Watercolor, in its unpredictability, is in equal measure frustrating, joyful, arduous and satisfying all at once. And so, with each new painting, I am an optimistic beginner, uncertain of the exact outcome. I hope to feel this way until my very last painting-solving the problems, dealing with the surprises, heading off the disasters and celebrating the little successes along the way.