Community Calendar

Chicago-based artist Michael x. Ryan gathers the quiet imprints we leave behind — from sidewalk stains and river paths to shower puddles and fallen tree limbs — and gives them form, weight, and voice. Through drawing, mapping, wood relief, and 3D printed objects, Ryan captures traces of human presence — the edge of a river, the imprint of a wet body, the marks on a street — and renders them as physical forms that evoke movement, memory, and place.

This exhibition brings together key installations spanning over four decades, from early works shaped by the Ox-Bow landscape to large-scale reliefs inspired by the streets of Chicago to one tree of interest on the family property in Woodstock, Illinois. By drawing attention to overlooked details, Ryan invites us to consider how our everyday movements shape the spaces we inhabit — and how those spaces, in turn, record and reflect our presence and passage through time.

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!

Did you know that DeKalb County’s next General Primary Election is on March 17?

Visit the library for a simple, friendly, no-pressure opportunity to register to vote! Our trained staff will be on hand to guide you through the registration process and answer any questions you may have. Come as you are and take an easy step toward making your voice heard.

What to Bring:

A valid photo ID (such as a driver’s license or state ID)
Proof of current address, if it’s different from what’s on your ID
Yourself — no appointment needed!
This program is free to attend. Registration is not required. You must be 18 or older to register to vote. This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For additional information about the program, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 6108.

For more information about the upcoming election, visit the DeKalb County Clerk’s website.

Take Root: A Farm Business Class Farmers Rising - The Land Connection - Food Works

January 13 – June 6, 2026
Tuesday and Thursdays
6-8pm
Four quarters · Four weeks each · One-week break between sections
Final presentations on June 6
(Last official class day: May 21, followed by a two-week break)

Mentorships to follow (optional)

About the Program

Take Root is a comprehensive virtual training program designed for people exploring farm business ownership and farmers in their first 1–5 years. This guided, step-by-step course helps participants build the confidence, clarity, and practical skills needed to launch or strengthen a farm enterprise.

The course follows a structured 4-section curriculum, each lasting four weeks. Between each section, participants take a one-week pause to reflect, catch up, and prepare for the next phase. After the final session on May 21, students will have two weeks to finalize their plans before returning on June 6 for peer presentations. Once presentations are complete, students will have the opportunity to join a mentorship program specialized to each person.

What are the benefits of Take Root?

✔ Build a complete farm business plan

✔ Join a supportive community

✔ Learn from experienced farmers

✔ Strengthen your business knowledge

Course Sections:

Quarter 1: The Dream: Foundations of Farm Life

Quarter 2: Enterprise: The Business of Farming

Quarter 3: Operations: Building it Out

Quarter 4: Finance: Keeping and Maintaining the Farm

Tuition & Accessibility

Total cost: $500 (not including mentorship)
Enrollment fee: $25 (applied toward tuition)

To ensure the program is accessible to all, we offer:

Payment plan

Need-based scholarships (based on current grant-supported scholarship fund availability)

Mentorships to follow

We can not wait for a great year with Take Root!

Jillae- Farmer Training Program Facilitator at Farmers Rising

Good news: compost is back!

After a winter hiccup, we’re thrilled to bring back one of our most-requested conversations - Composting as Collective Climate Action.

Join DeCarbon DeKalb for an energizing, neighbor-led evening all about how composting cuts methane, stores carbon, improves soil health, and builds real community resilience. We’ll dig into why composting is one of the most accessible, low-tech climate solutions available - and how individual scraps add up to collective impact.

Whether you’re compost-curious, already composting at home, or wondering what community-scale composting could look like in DeKalb County, this Dialogue is for you.

Expect real talk, practical takeaways, and plenty of “oh, that makes sense” moments. Snacks included, because climate action is better with carbs.

This program is intended for adults. It does not require registration.

For more information, please contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2100.

This is an invitation to bring your antiques and questions to the Durand Library on Tuesday February 10. Jay Friburg, a retired antiques dealer, will share his knowledge about the piece: how old is it, how was it used, what does the piece tell us about daily life going back decades if not a century or more.

Jay is a retired Life Science faculty member from Rock Valley College and has been an active antique dealer for twenty years, doing shows throughout the Midwest and upper South. He specialized in 19th century furniture and antiques of the Ohio River and upper Mississippi Valley.

This event is free and open to all. We encourage everyone to attend who is interested in “old” things, be they collectible items or antiques, and whether or not you bring a piece.

Machesney Elementary to Dedicate "Hello Machesney" Mosaic Mural Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion

Machesney Elementary is proud to announce the formal dedication of "Hello Machesney," a vibrant community mosaic mural. The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the school entrance.

A True Community Collaboration
The creation of "Hello Machesney" was made possible through the generous support of a Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford Project Grant, dedicated school fundraising efforts, and private donations.

The mural was conceived by Harlem Art Teacher Ingrid Hyde to welcome the community's rich diversity and culture. The project also serves as a permanent tribute to Machesney’s two featured magnet programs: The Fine Arts Academy and the HOLA Language Academy.

Artistry with a Mission
Over the last year, a wide-reaching coalition of creators, including students, staff, administrators, board members, and community residents, hand-crafted tiles for the installation. The mural is rich with symbolism and inclusive features:

Global Connectivity: The word "Hello" is available in many languages worldwide, including Navajo, and is represented by a specialized Braille tile.

School Spirit: Symbolic shapes, including clouds, stars, butterflies, birds, biplanes, hot air balloons, and rocket ships, highlight the school motto: "Soar Above and Beyond."

A Vision of Kindness: The installation is intended to demonstrate the core values of kindness and friendship that define Machesney Elementary.

"This mural is a visual handshake to our community," says Ingrid Hyde. "By incorporating different languages and tactile elements like Braille, we are ensuring that every student and visitor feels a sense of belonging the moment they arrive at our doors."

Event Schedule
8:30 AM: Opening Remarks by Principal Abigail Edwards & Recognition of the Golden Apple Foundation
8:45 AM: Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
8:55 AM: Photo Opportunities
Members of the press and the public are invited to attend this celebration of art, culture, and community unity.

About Machesney Elementary
Machesney Elementary is a leader in specialized education in the Harlem School District, home to the Fine Arts Academy and the HOLA Language Academy. Led by Principal Abigail Edwards, the school is committed to fostering a global perspective while encouraging students to "Soar Above and Beyond."

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.

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.



Featured Artist: Bob Cholke
February 1 - 28

Bob Cholke is a photographer from Rockford IL. He has been a photographer for
many years.

As a teenager, he had a love for “sports” and “street” photography. After military service,
He attended Brooks Institute of Photography, in Santa Barbara California, and began honing his
photography skills and surfing whenever possible.

Shortly after graduation, he started his own commercial studio. In later years, he became
a gallery owner, while also presenting his images at juried, fine art fairs across the Midwest.

Through the years, he has always made time for his personal work as well. He believes his
best images are yet to come. He believes Peter Adams, said it best;

"Great Photography is about Depth of feeling, not Depth of field” - Peter Adams