Come One, Come All!
Books on First once again is sponsoring "Find Waldo Local" in Dixon, all the month of July. Based on the children's Where's Waldo books in which we seek and find Waldo and friends in various locations around town and the world within the pages, children from anywhere can seek and find Waldo in 25 locations around Dixon, IL, including the Parks District building, the Next Picture Show art gallery, Discover Dixon Main Street Chamber of Commerce HQ and other fun places including of course, Books on First.
We have lots of prizes for those participating, those seeing Waldo in at least 10 spots and those becoming eligible for entry into drawings for Where's Waldo books as well as contributed prizes from There's Fun Inside and more. Get involved in a Dixon-wide search for Waldo and experience the Local Small Businesses all around town. The hunt ends in a "Bye, Waldo" party on Saturday, 1 August!

Around the Farm Art Exhibit
June 3 – July 18
Sponsored by Joy Meyer in memory of Gordon Meyer

This exhibition celebrates farm life and highlights the importance of agriculture in our area.

Artists include Jean Apgar, David Bingaman, Alice Blue, Dan Bowman, Jill Browne, Janet Cederlund, Bob Cholke, Dick Cholke, Janice Conkrite, Perry Eden, Connie Fry, Margi Forss, Laurie Friemuth, Beverly Garcia, Rob Gieraltowski, Charles Green, Timothy Griffith, Pam Hansen, Stephen Hart, Kat Heitzman, Mary Howe, Cora Hutchison, Bob Kapheim, Julie Kennelly, Linnea Koch, Robert Krajecki, Paula Kuehl, Bob Logsdon, Joy Meyer, Jeff Oesterheld, Joseph Popp, Sharon Saponari, Steve Toole, Mary von Tish, and Holden White.

The exhibit will be judged by Debra Cleary with awards presented at the reception on June 12, 6:00 - 8:00pm. Visitors will also be allowed to vote for their favorite piece with the People’s Choice winner announced at the close of the exhibit

Julie Kennelly

Taft Gallery, June 1 – July 31

Julie is an Illinois-based oil painter whose work explores color, light, and the quiet beauty found in everyday life. Working primarily in oils, she creates landscapes, still life paintings, and pet portraits that blend realism with expressive color and atmosphere. Her work is especially inspired by the landscapes of Northern Illinois and New Mexico, where she lived for a decade. Many of the pieces in this collection reflect the dramatic skies, desert light, and rich colors of the Southwest that continue to influence her painting today.

Julie began painting in 1997 as a creative hobby while building a long career in commercial banking. Over the years, painting became an essential part of her life and eventually evolved into a second career following her retirement. Primarily self-taught, she developed her skills through independent study, years of consistent practice, and participation in workshops with other artists.

Now painting regularly from her home studio, Julie continues to create work inspired by nature, rural life, changing seasons, and the emotional connection people have with familiar places, things and beloved animals. Through her paintings, she hopes to create moments of warmth, reflection, and joy while encouraging others to reconnect with creativity in their own lives.

Get ready to make some fireworks — on paper! In this hands-on art workshop, participants will create their own dazzling fireworks display using salt, glue, and watercolors. It's a simple and magical technique that produces stunning results and is perfect for celebrating the Fourth of July. This free program is geared toward ages 5 and up. All materials will be provided, and each participant will receive a glow stick bracelet to take home.

Nurture is a mixed media art exhibit that focuses on artists' perspective of the concept of Nurture. Join us to experience the inspiration and expressive interpretation of Nurture though art.

For thousands of years, farming ran on muscle — human or animal. Then came the steam engine, the steel plow, and the reaper, and suddenly the race was on to mechanize agriculture. This documentary traces that evolution, focusing on the fierce competition between John Deere, Ford, and International Harvester to build the first reliable all-purpose tractor. By 1929, the field had narrowed dramatically, but the machine we recognize today had finally emerged — and it would go on to transform farming forever. This free program is open to the public. It is approximately 56 minutes, not rated, and made possible through PBS.