Dear Friends,
Big news!!! We are buying a building!
We are over the moon with excitement about owning our own building, and all the opportunities that will bring. Of course, it will bring challenges as well, but we have been planning for this for years and feel ready for the challenge! Read more about it below.
2020 has been a year of challenges for all of us, and everyone has done the best we could. While the holidays this year will be different from any others we remember, we know this pandemic will not last forever, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
In the meanwhile, since the Center has to be closed to the public for the time being, what more perfect time than this to move into a new building, and start to renovate it for galleries, studios and performance space?
We wish each of you a loving and meaningful holiday season.
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A word from Jay Dickerson, President of the Board of Directors |
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This was a big month for the Galena Center for the Arts. The board agreed to the purchase of the Illinois Bank & Trust Building at Gear Street. This gives us a permanent home, a place to set down roots and help artists showcase their work in Galena. |
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Joe Mattingley, Carole Sullivan, and Jay Dickerson, behind the masks.
(photo compliments of the Galena Gazette)
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In the coming months, you'll hear more specifics about how it's coming together. We'll be working with the United Churches of Galena Food Pantry to ensure a smooth transition, which will help them complete their mission.
As for our mission: we are some time away from being able to hold in-person events. When we do, it'll be a relief, and a chance to do live theater for a present audience. A chance to gather and observe and discuss works of art together. A chance to communicate in person. A chance to sing, and to be heard.
I, for one, look forward to a strong future for the Galena Center for the Arts.
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Become a Member
Did you know you can become a member online?
Click HERE for information about our membership program.
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Please Donate
Please help us to advance our mission to
elevate and celebrate regional arts and artists.
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To donate online click on This Link, or send your check to:
The Galena Center for the Arts, 219 Summit Street, Galena, IL 61036.
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New Rules for
Charitable Contributions!
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We greatly appreciate your support of the Center for the Arts as we navigate these extraordinarily challenging times. As 2020 draws to a close, and as you consider your year-end charitable contributions, we want to make sure you're aware of several time-sensitive tax benefits:
Did you know? This year, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides for increased tax-deductibility of charitable contributions. If you take the standard deduction, you may now deduct up to $300 ($600 for couples) in charitable cash contributions to qualified charities. And if you itemize, you may deduct 100% of your gifts, up from 60% previously. These benefits expire on December 31, 2020, so make your gift now! (Consult your tax professional or follow this link to irs.gov for further details.)
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Our galleries will reopen when it’s safe
for our patrons, artists, and staff.
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A holiday play!
The ReGifters
by Robert Lynn
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Join us for a holiday play reading, our first since we closed for the pandemic. When a couple "regifts" a not-so-great Christmas present, then finds out it's worth a fortune, they will stop at nothing to get it back. But they're not the only ones who rewrapped it… In the mad pursuit to reclaim the gift, everyone who gave it away learns about friendship, real wealth, and the value of a gift truly given. Featured in this online comedy will be Megan Gloss, Keith Ahlvin, Brian and Lisa Schoenrock, Ben and Meggie Jenkins, Tracy Jenkins, and Jill and Joe Klinebriel, with music by David Resnick. |
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This online comedy reading will be available first on Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 7 pm, and will be available to watch for two weeks. To view it on one device will cost $10 plus handling charges. We will send you the link to purchase tickets through Booktix by Dec. 10.
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This play reading is sponsored by Illinois Bank & Trust. |
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Finding Beauty
A Virtual Exhibit
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In these extraordinary times we can still find beauty in the world. This exhibit has proven that, with the talents of twenty-eight artists in photographs, paintings, sculptures, jewelry, poetry and fiber art.
You can view the virtual exhibit on our website, read statements about each piece, and learn a bit more about the amazing artists who have shared their work. Click on the image to the right.
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For this exhibit, you can order print copies of Finding Beauty. It’s in the form of a magazine in full color with 56 pages. If you would like to order a copy please email Patricia for details. $22 includes the magazine and shipping to you.
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As a bonus to the exhibit, Bob Rivoire has gathered many of his beautiful photographs in a slideshow. Please spend a few minutes to see the beauty in the landscapes you may have missed in passing.
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Other flip books on our website:
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Bob Rivoire is again sharing some of his amazing photos. This time the theme is winter. Are you ready? Yes, there is snow involved. Get a cup of coffee or tea and a cozy afghan and curl up next to your computer to enjoy
this slideshow, accompanied by delightful music.
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Cookbooks for the Holidays |
Are you looking for a local gift that celebrates arts and artisanal cooks? We have some great recipes from all the local folk who donated appetizers and sweets to our many gallery openings and events. We are so sad we are not able to do that right now, but you can make them at home to celebrate the holidays, or give the cookbook to your friends and family.
If you would like to order Feeding the Arts Cookbook, email Patricia. It is $22.75, which includes tax and shipping to you. Or, the new bookstore, Galena Book and Paper at 305 S. Main, also has our cookbook for sale. The store is open every day from 10:30am – 5:30pm.
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Covid 19 Galena,
The Story in Song DVD
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Looking for a unique gift? We have had such good response to the Covid 19 Galena, The Story in Song concert (over 1,000 views so far on YouTube) that we have made a DVD of it, which includes a booklet with the lyrics to all the songs. These new original songs created by 18 regional songwriters reflect their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The price is only $14, which includes tax, shipping and handling. You can order copies online by clicking here: Covid-19 Galena, The Story in Song. |
Or, copies are available at the Galena Historical Museum gift shop. |
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Artists and Artisans of the
Driftless Region 2020
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This is a newly published photo book that celebrates thirty-six artists from Illinois and Wisconsin, many of whom have exhibited at Galena Center for the Arts. Michelle Dieter, also an exhibitor at the Center, is the author and photographer, who interviewed and created images of these artists working in their studios and photos of their artwork. She introduces us to each of these artists and their many talents. The book is available from Michelle at her son’s business, Big Bill’s Sandwich Shop in Galena. |
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All River Road Talent hosts a monthly art drive the first weekend of each month. All River Road Talent is a synergy of artists building a cultural and visitor awareness of artistic talent in the Galena region of Northwest Illinois. The next ARRT tour is December 4 - 6. |
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Special Thanks to Dennis Waltman |
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Dennis has gone far and above in his dedication to the Center this year. With our increased virtual creations we needed lots of special emails to announce the YouTube events. Dennis didn’t blink an eye, and always got them out right on time. He does an amazing job with these newsletters every month, too. If we ask for something unusual, he researches it, and figures out how to make it happen. It can’t be an easy job with four women telling him what to do. So, a great big hearty Thank You! and virtual hugs for a job well done. |
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- Keith Ahlvin
- Jim Baranski
- Elizabeth Boggess
- John Cox
- Larissa Distler
- Jean Dregne
- Megan Gloss
- Bob Hammer
- Richard Hess
- Ben Jenkins
- Maggie Jenkins
- Tracy Jenkins
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- Jill Klinebriel
- Joe Klinebriel
- Patricia Lehnhardt
- Joe Mattingley
- David Resnick
- Bob Rivoire
- Brian Schoenrock
- Lisa Schoenrock
- Brittani Stephenson
- Heather Swan
- Dennis Waltman
- Lenny Wayne
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Clean, Sturdy Cardboard Boxes — Please email Carole if you have boxes to donate for our upcoming move, so that we can begin packing our library books, office files, and other equipment and supplies.
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Support us with AmazonSmile Foundation Donations |
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We invite you to show your support for the Center when shopping on Amazon. We are now established as a charitable organization for contributions via the AmazonSmile Foundation. The Foundation will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to us whenever you designate the Center as the charitable organization of your choice.
Here’s how to support the Center:
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Visit smile.amazon.com (you need to follow this step each time you designate donations).
- Log in with your regular Amazon account information.
- Select “Galena Center For The Arts Inc” as your charitable organization choice.
- Begin shopping.
Thank you for your support! We truly appreciate your thinking of us when shopping with Amazon!
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Become a Member
Did you know you can become a member online?
Click HERE for information about our membership program.
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Please Donate
Please help us to advance our mission to
elevate and celebrate regional arts and artists.
|
|
To donate online click on This Link, or send your check to:
The Galena Center for the Arts, 219 Summit Street, Galena, IL 61036.
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Please forward our newsletter to your friends and relatives. They can click below to receive their own monthly update. Thanks for sharing our news with others! |
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This program is partially supported by a grant
from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
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This program is supported in part by an award from The Chicago Community Foundation, from the Arts Work Fund – Arts for Illinois Emergency Relief Fund housed at The Chicago Community Trust. |
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This program is funded in part by
the Illinois Humanities.
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This project is supported in part
by an award from
the National Endowment for the Arts.
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This program has been made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. |
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Don't forget to "Like" the Galena Center for the Arts on Facebook
Have a preferred email address? Please let us know.
Thanks so much for your support of the Galena Center for the Arts!
Newsletter produced by Dennis Waltman
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