Community Calendar

Today Was Tomorrow - a solo show by Kari McDonald will kick off our 2026 exhibition season. Lemuette is the artistic moniker of Rockford-based printmaker Kari McDonald. Her meditative, nature-inspired work invites viewers to slow down and find moments of calm. Her intricate designs in woodblock often feature native prairie plants, whimsical flowers, and playful critters, capturing the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

FAM is open Tuesday - Friday 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 12 to 5 PM.

Joy Meyer

Taft Gallery Artist, February 1 – March 31

Joy Meyer earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art and Art Education from Northern Illinois University. She retired in 2005 after teaching art for thirty years, the last twenty years at Rock Falls High School in Rock Falls, IL. Joy also taught many workshops for both teenagers and adults during her career and shortly after retirement. She has won numerous awards for both her painting and her teaching.

Joy has enjoyed working in many different media including watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, glass etching, stained glass, and silk painting, but the medium she has chosen to specialize in during recent years is Acrylic Painting. She enjoys working in a fairly realistic style using primarily bright, cheerful colors. Her actual painting techniques vary depending on the subject matter being painted and the mood desired, often using many techniques within a painting to better represent the details within the painting. Joy also enjoys the challenges of working in an increasingly wider variety of subject matter.



America the Beautiful Art Exhibit
February 4 – March 21
Sponsored by Ron Bry

Awards Reception
February 13, 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Judge: Stuart Roddy
Music: Jim Kanas & Roger Hintzsche

Participating artists include Cindy Bear, Alice Blue, Richard Born, Bob Cholke, Rick Davis, Connie Fry, Beverly Garcia, Chuck Gregory, Timothy Griffith, Dan Grossmann, Stephen Hart, Kat Heitzman, Maggie Isaacs, Bob Kapheim, Julie Kennelly, Linnea Koch, Paula Kuehl, Bob Logsdon, Colleen Logsdon, Henry Matthiessen III, Joy Meyer, Gary Pearson, Joe Popp, Stephonie A Schmitz, and Joseph Virbickis.

Homecoming: In Color celebrates the reopening of Rockford Art Museum after a year-long renovation closure. This exhibition features a selection of popular pieces and hidden gems, showcasing the rich diversity of our revered collection. Come witness the power of art and community as we welcome you back to a vibrant space of creativity!

The Avalon String Quartet has been concertizing throughout the US and abroad since 1995 and has been described by the Chicago Tribune as “an ensemble that invites you — ears, mind, and spirit — into its music.” The quartet continues to astonish audiences across the nation with their performances.
To celebrate their 30th Anniversary, each member of this esteemed ensemble has selected some of their favorite works in two unique programs.

Academy Award winning actress and humanitarian Mira Sorvino has built a remarkable career in both film and human rights advocacy. In "From Harvard to Hollywood," Mira takes audiences behind the scenes of her journey, from a Harvard graduate researching racial conflict in China to an Oscar-winning actress using her platform for change.

She shares her experiences overcoming self-doubt and loss, and how they led her to become a global voice against human trafficking and sexual violence. As a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, Mira has testified before Congress, addressed the U.N. General Assembly, and helped inspire legislative reform to protect victims worldwide.

With warmth and candor, she reflects on her Hollywood career, her humanitarian work, and her most meaningful role, being a mother of four. Join us for an inspiring evening with a woman whose courage and compassion continue to make a difference.

A family road trip takes an unexpected turn when, in the dark of night, on the plains of eastern Oregon. . . reality splits.

WSSR takes another left turn with "California," a play that takes place entirely inside a car. Join us for this unique immersive experience that blends a quirky family comedy with the eerie darkness surrounding a long abandoned nuclear facility.

Directed by Claire Dahlhauser, this intimate production explores the humor and power of family bonds in a world where the map keeps rewriting itself.

Claire's credits include Legally Blonde, The Wedding Singer (Starlight Theatre) and Macbeth (Starlight Shakes) and she recently served as assistant director for last season's production of POTUS at WSSR.

Join local bird enthusiast Mike Ramsden on a wander along the Rock River watershed in search of waterfowl that are uniquely active at this time of year. The day will begin at Nature At The Confluence, followed by a car caravan at various stops going north, with the goal of ending at Lake Koshkonong. Please meet in the parking lot starting at 7:45; depart at 8:00 am. The ending is time is flexible and will be determined by participants day-of.

This is a free, community-led event. RSVP via Nature at the Confluence's website receive a reminder email or to request location updates during the event: https://natureattheconfluence.com/event/waterfowl-wander-pop-up/

One of the earliest signs of spring is an unusual plant called the Skunk Cabbage! Join a Boone County Conservation District environmental educator to search for this first spring wildflower at one of their conservation sites, Tuttle Clarkson Natural Area. Dress appropriately for the weather and potentially muddy/wet conditions. Be prepared for instances of hiking off trail. Registration is required.

A selection of favorite paintings created by members of the Plein Air Painters of Rockford during the 2025 season. These are images created during Plein Air painting sessions in the Rockford area. The exhibit is located in the Visitor Center at Klehm Arboretum.