Visual Art

America has a dark little secret. We imprisoned 120,000 fellow citizens during World War II in U.S. concentration camps or, as some call them, internment camps. Artist Roger Shimomura tells this troubling tale through his art. As an American, albeit a Japanese-American, he lived the nightmare. As a small child, Shimomura, a third-generation American, and […]

“The ladies of Springfield gave a grand Tableaux last week for the benefit of the Soldiers Aid Society,” Mercy Conkling wrote to her son in 1862. “It was a brilliant affair.  Mrs. Edwards told me it was decidedly the handsomest entertainment ever got up in this place.” The tableau vivant, or “living picture,” was a […]

Since mounting its first group show on 11/11/11, upstart local art collective The Pharmacy has already become something of a Springfield institution. Along with providing work space for a variety of area visual artists, the 401 South Grand Ave. West location has also become a haven for local writers via its “Pharmacy Literati” wing, as […]

The Springfield Art Association is offering two exciting opportunities for the community to explore ceramics and pottery-making over the summer months. A kickoff event, ROASTED:%u2008Hot Pots or Pork, is June 16. A visiting potter offers several workshops and classes in June and July. Work with a visiting potter Southern Illinois potter CJ Niehaus will travel […]

Over the past 16 years, the Liturgical Arts Festival has become Springfield’s premier event for those interested in liturgical and sacred arts. Representing each of the three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) as well as Buddhism, Bha’i and Native American traditions, “Come, Creative Spirit” promises to be one of the most diverse festivals in […]

Better known for straight talk and growing corn than delving into obscure and intense visual art works, central Illinois may not seem like an ideal location for a symposium on the 19th century European art movement known as Symbolism. But inspiration knows no bounds and art reaches to the corners of the globe with a […]

Local artist Ed Martin is bringing a different kind of art fair to Springfield. More akin to a casual, multi-artist gallery opening, Martin’s “An Art Affair – Second Annual Juried Invitational Fine Art Show,” takes place in the Orr Building on the Illinois State Fairgrounds Saturday, April 14, and Sunday, April 15. Martin, who has experienced […]

The contest winners will be displayed at Gallery II, at 2 South Old State Capitol Plaza. Gallery II is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nearly 400 photographs were submitted by 117 Illinois amateur photographers to the first Prairie Art Alliance Images of Illinois Amateur Photography Contest, sponsored by Illinois Times. The […]

“I’m glad they’re here, kicking the arts in the butt,” smiles Betsy Dollar, executive director of the Springfield Art Association. She is referring to the organizers and participants of Third Thursday, the upstart local collective whose calling card is a floating, monthly exhibition featuring volunteer artists [see “The Third Thursday artists,” by Tom Irwin, July […]

“I had a person recently ask me what I do here,” recalls Fred Jarosz, executive director of the Hoogland Center for the Arts. “And I told them, ‘I’m the beggar. I’m the one who goes out and begs for money. Gladly!’” The role of beggar has never been more important for the Hoogland. The organization […]