Designed by Raymond Crawford.
Embroidered by Karen Wilson.
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Dear Friends of the Arts, |
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This month we celebrate the artistry of Jim Post, who I first met in the 1970s. I remember a party at a friend’s barn, where this guy stood up with his guitar and knocked our socks off with a great impromptu performance. There is a song on one of his recordings that has always particularly inspired me. Part of the lyrics include “Ships are safe in the harbor, but is that what ships are for?” It reinforces to me that we have to get out there, take chances, and make this world a better place. Art, in all its forms, helps us empathize with others and inspire communication in subtle ways. We continue to strive to create a welcoming and inspiring Center for the Arts for our region, and plan to invite you there in person early in 2022. |
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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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Progress Report for September |
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We’re moving ahead with the construction project, but sometimes it feels hard to wait for it to be finished! Most of the drywall is now up, and the acoustical insulation is in place in the performance space. Next we need to get the new HVAC system installed. In some cases, materials are hard to get, and have a longer lead time than would have been pre-pandemic, but that’s something we just have to get used to for the time being.
We are considering creating a unique “mirror wall” for the ladies restroom in the new Center. No more “one holers” for our audience! This is just in the design phase, so we still need to determine if we think it will work, and if so, how many mirrors of what sizes will fit to make a really interesting space! If you have a framed mirror, sized 6” by 6“ or bigger (up to 3’ x 3’) that you would like to donate for the wall, please email Carole with a photo of the mirror and its size.
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Performance space acoustical insulation complete. |
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Montgomery/Timmerman crew putting
up drywall in the performance space.
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Virtual Exhibit
The Stuff of Dreams
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Browse through our flip book by clicking this link, and enjoy the collage of photos by Bob Rivoire on YouTube by clicking this link. He has gathered a wonderful variety of dreams in this three minute collection. Beautiful dreams and a few nightmares are represented by thirty-four artists in an array of media and poetry.
What amazing talent is in our region! We are always so grateful that they allow us to exhibit their art.
Much of the work is for sale, so email Patricia, the Gallery Manager, for details on how you can purchase a piece for your collection.
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And enjoy all of our past virtual books at:
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Galena’s official
“Jim Post” Day
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Thursday, October 28
7pm, Turner Hall
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Galena’s “Songwriter Laureate,” the inimitable Jim Post, will be featured in this month’s Songwriters Showcase, in an evening of song and storytelling.
Jim’s accomplishments include twenty-one albums, most of them of original folk texture.
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His one rock and roll album included the international hit, Reach out in the Darkness. In 1986, Jim wrote his first play, Galena Rose: How Whiskey Won the West, which he performed more than fifteen-hundred times, including a performance for the Smithsonian Institution.
As usual for Songwriters Showcase, this concert will be donation only.
For everyone’s safety, masking will be required at this concert.
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Art that Stands Out in its Field |
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Galena knows how to do Halloween! The Center has joined in the fun with our fourth annual event, encouraging artsy scarecrow creations. Here’s a preview of many, and there are more amazing decorations all over town. If you have not yet made one—dig out some old clothes and decorate a frame. There seems to be a party on the lawn at the Center at 971 Gear Street. Some artists have named their scarecrows. See if you can find: The Philosopher, Sadie, Clarence the Artist and his date, Esmeralda, Faith, Plant-based Polly, Dr. Pandecello, or Gertie the Gardener. |
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What are you thankful for? What have you been blessed by, or fortunate to have in your life? Art can be an expression of how you perceive the world, what you identify with, to show your emotions, or the blessings of the world you are given. It may be family and friends, the beautiful environment, the kindness of strangers, a cozy home, or just a hot cup of tea or coffee early in the morning. |
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In this holiday season, our themed virtual exhibit is all about things you are thankful for. Use your favorite form of art to show us. Paintings, sculptures, poetry, in any form or media, are welcome.
Email Patricia, the Gallery Manager, for more information on how to submit your work. The deadline for submissions is October 22. The exhibit will debut in our November newsletter.
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With the physical gallery still shuttered, and construction in our new site, we thought you might want to see what our regional artists are up to. |
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Karen Zehr is a weaver of rugs. She began her craft as a necessity when her mother was no longer physically able to weave and provide rugs for the family. After all of these years, Karen says that weaving still keeps her connected to memories of her mom.
What began as weaving for utilitarian purposes has developed into an artistic challenge to create unique rugs using unwanted, recycled and secondhand bedding.
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The months at home during the pandemic allowed her to find refuge in her weaving and has resulted in an impressive inventory of artistic, colorful rugs. |
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LoveNotes sang for a 65th wedding anniversary celebration at the Highlands Restaurant at the Galena Territory. The plan was to sing outdoors, but it was pouring rain, so we sang, masked, indoors.
(We have now included Singing in the Rain in our repertoire!)
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birthday or special day with music.
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We have always been known for tasty food at our gallery opening receptions, Songwriters Showcase and theatrical events. Now you can purchase a cookbook for many of these great recipes at Galena Book & Paper, 306 S. Main Street in Galena.
We have also featured many of the artists who exhibit in the galleries, with full color covers and divider pages, and line drawings incorporated with the recipes.
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"Cooking Season” is upon us! and they make great holiday gifts for your friends and family to sample a taste of Galena Center for the Arts. |
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Recent Event
at the Center
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Happy people gathered on a beautiful early fall day for our
September Songwriters Showcase, featuring Ben Dunegan.
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As the skies darkened, it was magical. |
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Corporate Spotlight for October |
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We are very appreciative of the many businesses who have become Corporate Members of the Center, and will be featuring them monthly in our newsletter as a way of letting everyone know the many ways they reach out to help their community. |
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The DeSoto House Hotel opened its doors in Galena in 1855 and continues, to this day, to welcome the town’s visitors. We are proud to say that the DeSoto House Hotel was a charter corporate member of the Galena Center for the Arts and has renewed its commitment to our mission each year with their membership and by sponsoring productions and providing catering for many events. We are thankful of their continued support and interest in all that we do.
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- Jim Baranski
- Susan Barg
- Big Bill's
- David Bronson
- City of Galena
- Paul Chase and Mary Weck
- John Cox
- Jay Dickerson
- Jean Dregne
- Elite Plumbing
- Galena Book & Paper
- Galena Farmer’s Market
- Galena Gazette
- Galena Roasters
- Mark Haman
- Barb Hocker
- Jannelle Keeffer
- Kloss Winter Electric
- Patricia Lehnhardt
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- Lord of Love Lutheran Church
- Jean Matthiessen
- Joe Mattingley
- Paul and Nancy McMenamin
- Angela Miller
- Montgomery-Timmerman Construction
- Laura and Wayne Moyer
- Pleasant View 4-H Club
- Prairie Ridge of Galena
- Spotsie's
- Cindy Tegtmeyer
- Dennis Waltman
- Lenny Wayne
- H. B. Wilkinson Title Company
- The Workshop
- Bill Wubben
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Would you like to paint walls at the new Center for the Arts?
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Subscribe on YouTube for Notification of All New
Galena Center for the Arts Video Releases
to the right and click on SUBSCRIBE. To receive notification of new videos, click on the bell icon next to SUBSCRIBED, then click on All.
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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.
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To donate online click on This Link, or send your check to:
The Galena Center for the Arts
971A Gear Street, Galena, Illinois 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 funded in part by a
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
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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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