Christmas Walk: we will have fixings for school age youth to create ornaments from 3 p.m. on 12/14 until the Lighted Parade begins (or until we run out). We will also have face painting, so stop by our gallery that day. Below is the 2024 Chamber ornament, created and cut by member Les Hoste. We will have a limited number of them as well as Smith Studio and Gallery and the Geneseo Art League. Ornaments are $20 and the front side has “Christmas Walk 2024” printed on them.

In October we created a scarecrow for Scarecrow Row in the City Park. Hallie is pictured here with member Joyce Mattan and her mini VW van which held our treats. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed seeing all of the children in their costumes and with their families and friends. Love this event, thank you David Smith of Smith Studio and Gallery!!

New member Jeanne O’Melia presented two Chinese Brush Painting classes in March. Above is Jeanne (in red hat! :-) ) with the class attendees and their work.

Members, clockwise from top left, Elaine Hofman, Mary Copersmet, Joyce Mattan, Sharon Michaelsen, Lexi Gordon and Les Hoste on a gallery studio day.

Karen Vroman photographing our cyanotype class projects for our FaceBook page. Class was great fun!

Sharon with a pastel of our mascot, Clancy. He has crossed the Rainbow Bridge but is not forgotten. <3

 

We honor member Shirley Burnett, who passed away recently. Shirley added much to our group and she will be missed. An excellent pastelist and watercolorist among other things, her artwork was beautiful and she was a good soul.

Our members have decades of practical experience in the fine arts. It is important to share our experience, knowledge and skills with others and we always learn from them too. You don't know what you can create until you try. We want to encourage all to make art.

 

 

This is Lexi Gordon’s window from April. She has several pieces in the gallery, drop by and take a look!

Want to support the arts? Enjoy working with other artists? Join our nonprofit side, RutabagA, the Heart of Regional Art, NFP! Stop by the gallery and ask a member for further details.

 

 

Here's a sampling of the community enrichments our members have been involved in over the years.

  • Sponsoring a regional judged art competition, the Maple City Fine Arts Exhibit, for 35 years and now starting our own, the Geneseo Fine Art Exhibit, begun in 2023.

  • Partnering with civic groups to provide low- and no-cost instruction for children.

  • Leading art projects for life enrichment at area senior care facilities.

  • Teaching art for local home-schooling families.

  • Teaching classical fine art techniques.

  • Bringing nationally-known instructors to teach in Geneseo.

  • Painting community murals.

  • Giving time to area causes, such as Dress For Success, Henry County Humane Society, Braveheart Childrens' Advocacy Center, the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, and others.

 

Geneseo High School held its 2024 Senior Awards Night on May 1. Sharon Michaelsen presented the RutabagA Scholarship to Kay McAvoy and Pauline Swanson presented the Decnie Jeschke Memorial Scholarship to Kathryn Hogue. Above, from left to right, are Pauline, Kathryn, Sharon and Kay. Congratulations to these young women and we wish them well on their journey utilizing the fine arts!

 

Below is a group photo of members from late 2021. It is a pleasure to work with these artists and call them friends. Salute!