Community Calendar

Lowden Gallery Artist: Ellen "Ellie" R. Bartels
March 1 - April 30

​Ellie has a BA degree in Education and a BFA in Studio Art , both from the University of Washington. She taught art, K – 12, in Orangeville, Il for 12 years. She currently lives in Freeport, Il.

Ellie states, “ The process of transforming paint and canvas into an appealing and effective image scares, frustrates, excites and inspires me.

My work starts out with a subject or theme in mind, usually based on my personal response to nature or a past experience, and a general plan on how to accomplish my goal. As it progresses spontaneity and intuition take over and my unconscious becomes the director.
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I have found that both oils and acrylics work well as vehicles for translating my inner vision to outer reality. Both comply with my enjoyment of layering paint and working the canvas by scraping, rubbing, scratching through, dry brushing, etc., to create depth and texture and to bring the surface to life.

It is my wish that the viewer will want to spend time with my work, to contemplate its meaning, discover its complexities, or to just enjoy the colors and shapes.

Cora Hutchison is a life-long resident of the Rock River Valley, Midwest roots and a love of animals and nature has inspired much of Cora Hutchison’s past and current work. A self-taught artist, with some formal education, Cora has been active in the arts throughout her career. A soft style and photo realism in her work has brought her animals, landscapes and portraits to the forefront.

Originally, her art centered around pastels and eventually embracing watercolors for her animals and children. In recent years graphite has dominated her work in portraits and “Americana” scenes.

Cora has shown her art in galleries and venues locally and throughout the Midwest for several years working closely with the community and local groups.

The Prairie Arts Council hosts an exhibit of paintings by Princeton native Brian Taylor during the month of March in the Prairie Arts Center Gallery.

Brian Taylor says about his works, "The art presented is a reflection of doodles and patterns practiced over many years. As time evolved, the practice was refined into its own colorful and unique style, evoking influences of various concepts from surrealism, abstract and indigenous art. The natural world is also an influence through travel, time working in arboriculture and landscape design.”

The gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays, March 7 - 29 from 1:00-3:00 PM.

www.PrairieArts.org
Facebook.com/prairiearts

There are different types of regional candies across the US. Learn about certain candies; and more importantly taste them! At the end of the tasting, you’ll have the opportunity to vote and decide which candy you liked the best.

This program is for tweens and teens in grades 6-12. Registration is not required, but the tasting is first come, first served as supplies are limited.

This program is part of the America 250 initiative, celebrating our nation’s anniversary throughout the year.

For additional information, please contact Steven at stevenm@dkpl.org or 815-756-9568 ext. 3400.

The Rockford DanceMakers Festival (RDMF) celebrates professional choreographers in the Stateline area by producing their work in annual showcases that entertain, challenge, move, and inspire.

For its debut, the RDMF will present two public performances on Friday, March 20 at 7 pm and Saturday, March 21 at 6 pm at the RPL Nordlof Center’s J.R. Sullivan Theater, offering Rockford audiences a rich and varied experience of concert dance. Following the opening-night performance, there will be a Q&A with the choreographers on stage.

The inaugural program will feature original works by ten professional choreographers from the Rockford area and surrounding region, along with special guest Winifred Haun & Dancers. An award-winning choreographer and dancer based in Chicago and Oak Park, Winifred Haun will also host a master class on Saturday, March 21 at 1 pm at Rockford Dance Company.

Rockford DanceMakers Festival 2026 Lineup:
Baylor Twins Move (Caitlyn Baylor & Meghan Baylor)
Ella Lakey
Eona Carey*
Faith Minneyfield
Gina T'ai
Jenny Vause
Maria E. Castello
Michelle R. Stolberg
Penna Broman
Without Shoes Modern Dance Company
*Winifred Haun & Dancers

Buckle up for what the New York Times called “A timely boxing match of a history play.”

In 1950, Margaret Chase Smith was the junior Senator from Maine and the only woman in the Senate. A staunch Republican, she nevertheless bucked her party and the prevailing winds of politics when she took to the floor of the Senate to denounce Senator Joseph McCarthy in a speech she called, “a declaration of conscience.”

Join us in a celebration of beloved music from your favorite American film composers including Michael Giacchino, John Williams, and many more. Please note the performance is held on a Friday evening.

CALIFORNIA is EXTENDED through March 21st!

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.

Coyotes are one of the most misunderstood species in Illinois and the U.S. They conjure up mixed feelings of fear, anger, and, for some, wild beauty. There are many stories about coyotes, and some circles believe them to be the jokester of the wild. Many of these feelings depend on who you are, where you live, and even what you do for a living.

Coyotes are blamed for many things they do and do not do in our spaces. They nonetheless receive the award for the most likely to succeed, despite the human population. We have all but paved the road for the coyote’s historical expansion.

Come and learn more about this incredible animal and what you can expect from them in your neighborhood. Wild Neighbors: Coyotes will be presented by Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy Educator Peggy Anesi.

*Registration is required! To register, click here: https://registration.extension.illinois.edu/start/wild-neighbors-coyotes

Oregon, IL, Women’s Club supports the local community with its 74th Annual Antique and Vintage Show with over 40 dealers from the Midwest!

Saturday, March 21st, from 9 to 5 and Sunday, March 22nd, from 10 to 3

Ample free parking, homemade concessions, handicap accessible.

Entry $8.00 per person

Antique appraisals on Sunday from 10 to 2 - $5.00 per item.