Community Calendar

October 27th marks the opening date for two new solo exhibitions under the umbrella of the Freeport Art Museum's Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Initiative. The overriding goals are to create an environment where the BIPOC community participates in programs and activities and broadens the art exhibited in ways that establish social and racial equity and share our diverse community's knowledge and contributions. Through 2025 (five years) artists of color will be selected by artists of color.
Opening reception is hosted by the NAACP Freeport Branch. October 27th 5 pm to 7 pm.

2023, the third year of the BIPOC Initiative, features Nicole Davis, and Stephen Signa - Aviles.

Nicole Davis is a visual artist and educator based in Illinois. She works primarily in textile, photography, and painting. Nicole served as a Special Education teacher in public school systems for twenty-one years before pivoting to an art career. She received an MFA degree from the University of Iowa in 2020. Her artwork has been shown throughout the Midwest including at the Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN, the Koehnline Museum in Skokie, IL, and the South Bend Museum of Art in South Bend, IN.

Stephen Signa-Aviles is a Mexican-American artist living in Urbana, Illinois. His works are sculptural manifestations that embody themes of memory, national identity, assimilation, and cultural hybridity. Stephen earned an MFA in 2021 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he currently is Assistant Professor of Art in the School of Art & Design.

Students from the Honors Seminar on Rebel Music will present their research projects on music used for protest and advocating for social justice, feminism, human rights, democracy, and other causes. Presentations include papers, live performances, and video and audio documentaries.

Keynote address: “‘This Isn't a Concert; This is a Protest!’ How Activism Can Manifest in Music and Life,” by musician/scholar/activist Jen Shyu.

The conference is open to the public. Attendees can come and go as they please.

Students from the Honors Seminar on Rebel Music (HIST 399) will present their research projects on music for protest, social justice, feminism, human rights, democracy, and other causes. Presentations include papers, live performances, and video documentaries.

The keynote address will be delivered by artist/scholar/activist Jen Shyu: “‘This Isn’t a Concert; This is a Protest!’ How Activism Can Manifest in Music and Life”

October 27th marks the opening date for two new solo exhibitions under the umbrella of the Freeport Art Museum's Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Initiative. The overriding goals are to create an environment where the BIPOC community participates in programs and activities and broadens the art exhibited in ways that establish social and racial equity and share our diverse community's knowledge and contributions. Through 2025 (five years) artists of color will be selected by artists of color.
Opening reception is hosted by the NAACP Freeport Branch. October 27th 5 pm to 7 pm.

2023, the third year of the BIPOC Initiative, features Nicole Davis, and Stephen Signa - Aviles.

Nicole Davis is a visual artist and educator based in Illinois. She works primarily in textile, photography, and painting. Nicole served as a Special Education teacher in public school systems for twenty-one years before pivoting to an art career. She received an MFA degree from the University of Iowa in 2020. Her artwork has been shown throughout the Midwest including at the Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN, the Koehnline Museum in Skokie, IL, and the South Bend Museum of Art in South Bend, IN.

Stephen Signa-Aviles is a Mexican-American artist living in Urbana, Illinois. His works are sculptural manifestations that embody themes of memory, national identity, assimilation, and cultural hybridity. Stephen earned an MFA in 2021 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he currently is Assistant Professor of Art in the School of Art & Design.

FM 101 ProFM™ Credential Program
The FM profession is evolving as it adapts to new technologies, globalization, and significant retirement gaps. ProFM is the global standard for today’s facility professionals.
$1,800.00

Date: 9/27 – 12/6 (Every Wednesday except there is no class on 11/22)
Time: 6 – 8:30 p.m. (CT)
Instructors: James Myers & Alana Dunoff
Location: Online via Zoom

Visit our facility management webpage for more information: https://cpelearn.niu.edu/facility-management/

October 27th marks the opening date for two new solo exhibitions under the umbrella of the Freeport Art Museum's Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Initiative. The overriding goals are to create an environment where the BIPOC community participates in programs and activities and broadens the art exhibited in ways that establish social and racial equity and share our diverse community's knowledge and contributions. Through 2025 (five years) artists of color will be selected by artists of color.
Opening reception is hosted by the NAACP Freeport Branch. October 27th 5 pm to 7 pm.

2023, the third year of the BIPOC Initiative, features Nicole Davis, and Stephen Signa - Aviles.

Nicole Davis is a visual artist and educator based in Illinois. She works primarily in textile, photography, and painting. Nicole served as a Special Education teacher in public school systems for twenty-one years before pivoting to an art career. She received an MFA degree from the University of Iowa in 2020. Her artwork has been shown throughout the Midwest including at the Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN, the Koehnline Museum in Skokie, IL, and the South Bend Museum of Art in South Bend, IN.

Stephen Signa-Aviles is a Mexican-American artist living in Urbana, Illinois. His works are sculptural manifestations that embody themes of memory, national identity, assimilation, and cultural hybridity. Stephen earned an MFA in 2021 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he currently is Assistant Professor of Art in the School of Art & Design.

4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care is offering a Parenting Workshop titled D.E.A.R. Parenting (Devote, Encourage, Attach and Respond) at NIU Child Development and Family Center in DeKalb from 9/21/23-10/26/23. The program offers information to parents regarding child development, communication, self-esteem, stress and anger management, child guidance and family life. Participants can expect to interact with other parents in a relaxed, supportive atmosphere and to receive information on parenting techniques.

The workshop is offered free of charge thanks to a generous grant from Kishwaukee Sunrise Rotary. Participants meet once a week on Thursday evenings from 5:45-7:45 at Northern Illinois Child Development and Family Center. Free child care is available. Registration is required and space is limited. Please register by September 7, 2023.

Register for the class by calling Rose at (815) 758-8149 ext. 228 or email at rosem@four-c.org.

"Finding and Using Your Authentic Voice"

This will be a customized interdisciplinary workshop centered around identity and open to artists as well as non-artists. Jen Shyu will discuss and demonstrate some of her research and travels in her parents' homelands of Taiwan and East Timor, and her travels in Cuba, Brazil, East Asia and Southeast Asia.

She will then facilitate the exploration of everyone's identity and lived experiences and how we can empower ourselves and each other through writing, listening, movement, acting, spoken word, singing, solo improvisation, duo, and group improvisation with and/or without instruments/found objects.

Those participating should bring a pen/pencil and paper/notebook and wear comfortable clothing and shoes (no high heels). Instruments welcome but not required.

Noon
Friday, December 1
NIU School of Music Recital Hall
Virtual via Zoom—registration required https://niu-edu.zoom.us/j/84135658648?pwd=UmJxUDhNcXA3OXE0TXFOVkpyZENHZz09

Contact the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at cseas@niu.edu

Sponsored by NIU’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies, NIU's Graduate Colloquium Program, and NIU's School of Music

Join Us For A Beautiful Community Tradition!

Ongoing Activities From 4:30 to 6:00pm

Bonfire and S’more Making
Unlimited Hot Cocoa (BYO mug!)
Luminary Nature Walk
Holiday Crafts
Family Photo Opportunities
5:00pm – Tree Lighting Ceremony, followed by a Caroling Performance

This free community event will be held at Nature At The Confluence, but PLEASE access parking behind Dari Ripple on Charles St. We’ll have luminaries to help light your path to the building.

You are invited to continue Holiday festivities at Downtown Beloit Association’s Holidazzle until 9pm.

Event hosted by The City Of South Beloit, Nature At The Confluence, and South Beloit Public Library.

October 27th marks the opening date for two new solo exhibitions under the umbrella of the Freeport Art Museum's Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Initiative. The overriding goals are to create an environment where the BIPOC community participates in programs and activities and broadens the art exhibited in ways that establish social and racial equity and share our diverse community's knowledge and contributions. Through 2025 (five years) artists of color will be selected by artists of color.
Opening reception is hosted by the NAACP Freeport Branch. October 27th 5 pm to 7 pm.

2023, the third year of the BIPOC Initiative, features Nicole Davis, and Stephen Signa - Aviles.

Nicole Davis is a visual artist and educator based in Illinois. She works primarily in textile, photography, and painting. Nicole served as a Special Education teacher in public school systems for twenty-one years before pivoting to an art career. She received an MFA degree from the University of Iowa in 2020. Her artwork has been shown throughout the Midwest including at the Soo Visual Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN, the Koehnline Museum in Skokie, IL, and the South Bend Museum of Art in South Bend, IN.

Stephen Signa-Aviles is a Mexican-American artist living in Urbana, Illinois. His works are sculptural manifestations that embody themes of memory, national identity, assimilation, and cultural hybridity. Stephen earned an MFA in 2021 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where he currently is Assistant Professor of Art in the School of Art & Design.