Time to start planning those scarecrows!
(These were seen on Franklin Street last year.)
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Dear Friends of the Arts, |
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We have been overwhelmed by the response to our annual membership request. Thank you! Not only have there been numerous memberships coming in, but many members have included an extra donation, knowing all that we are trying to do. I would be lying if I said that I haven’t lost sleep worrying about the increased costs for materials for finishing our on-going projects, as well as projecting rising energy costs, etc. I think the additional donations reflect that others are thinking of this as well, and wanting to make sure that the Center for the Arts is on a strong footing as we move forward. Thanks and more thanks.
Change is in the air. Our wonderful Office Manager, Karen Wilson, will be retiring at the end of September, and we are searching for someone to fill her position. We are interviewing candidates, but if you or someone you know would be a perfect fit, please contact me email link for the full job description and details.
Scroll down to see all the events coming up, from jazz by the John Erickson Trio, to our first Golf Outing Fundraiser (the Art of Golf?), Songwriters Showcase, Scarecrows, Volunteer Training, and more. Rehearsals are starting for our October Radio Show, and, of course, our gallery is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 till 4. If you haven’t seen the “Summer Reflections” exhibit, be sure to stop by while it is still up.
We always love to see you!
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Progress Report for August |
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We are working on a new look for our upstairs lobby. A recent focus has been to create our gift shop, which will sell a wide variety of lower price point items, all created by regional artists. We removed one wall, and moved another, and a door and windows, so that the gift shop is easily seen and accessible from the lobby. (It sounds so easy to say “we moved a wall”, but it isn’t so easy to do!) Now we need to do the drywall finishing, painting, ceiling, etc. and then start moving items into the space. Check out the progress the next time you come to the Center. |
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Downstairs, we now have almost all the new doors hung, more walls painted, and the HVAC work is finished. Still need to get the fire alarm system installed before we can put in all the drop ceiling tiles and finish the spaces. Bit by bit, it’s happening! |
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Summer Reflections Exhibit
Through September 25
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Our delightful new exhibit, Summer Reflections, opened on August 5! We have 58 regional artists exhibiting over 100 artworks in our new space, and we continue to welcome enthusiastic patrons from all over the Midwest and beyond. This particular exhibit is quite varied and textural, with everything from a beadwork purse and fairy house to clay horses, dragons and foxes; from beautiful wood-turned vases and glasswork to photography; and from unique rain sticks to sumptuous and colorful oil and acrylic paintings—there’s truly something for everyone! Summer Reflections is open through September 25 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00am-4:00pm), so please do come see us and bring your friends and family, too!
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Summer Reflections opening, August 5
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John Erickson Trio
September 16 and 17
7pm $20
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We are delighted that the John Erickson Trio will be back in Galena, performing at the Center this month. Many have followed this trio year after year, as they performed a Galena concert during the holidays for many years. Now we have a chance to hear what they play when it’s not December! Two dates to choose from. Tickets for general table seating, or for general riser seating may be purchased on our website, by clicking on this link. Reservations are suggested, but tickets for open seats will also be sold at the door for $20.
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This jazz combo has been delighting audiences for over 10 years with its unique arrangements of familiar pop & jazz classics, and its gorgeous original compositions. Not to be missed! |
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Golf Outing Fundraiser
September 29
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Join Galena Center for the Arts for our first Golf Tournament Fundraiser on September 29!
The tournament includes an 18-hole round of golf for your 4-person team, followed by a sit-down dinner in the clubhouse, catered by Poormans Catering.
The fun kicks off at Galena Golf Club with a 12-noon shotgun start. Galena Golf Club is located at 11557 US Highway 20 West in Galena.
We are also seeking hole sponsors and silent auction items. The proceeds from this event go toward finishing our new building.
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To register, please download the registration form here.
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What, you don’t golf?
This is our first golf outing! You know how fun they are, and you’re sad because you don’t golf, but you really want to have fun and help the Center finish its wonderful space. Well, the fund-raising committee of the Center has a wonderful opportunity for you! You can help us out, schmooze with golfers and
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enjoy nature on a gorgeous fall day. How can I do all that, you ask? Volunteer to lend a hand at Galena Golf Club on Thursday, September 29.
We need you to help in two-hour shifts from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The tasks you would get to do include registering golfers, selling “mulligans”, selling raffle tickets, monitoring silent auction items, and running fun, silly games at some of the holes!
If you see yourself and a spouse or friend helping out, please let us know. Call Cathie at 815-777-2469, and we will choose your volunteer activity and your time! Leave a message if she doesn’t answer, and she will return your call.
We hope to hear from you!
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Open Mic
Come and make music!
September 13 - 6:30pm
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Our open mic in August was lots of fun, so we have scheduled a couple more. If you like to make music in company with other musicians, share your work and hear their new work too, feel free to join us. We’ll be upstairs at the Center on September 13 and October 18.
Musicians of all ages are welcome for an evening of musical camaraderie, hosted by Lenny Wayne.
Show off your talents or just sit and listen. There will be a sign-up, and a two-song-per-turn limit.
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Songwriters Showcase
September 15 - 7pm
featuring
Pearl Olson and Lenny Wayne
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Join us at the outdoor stage (weather permitting!) for a beautiful evening of music with Pearl and Lenny, two of our favorite songwriters. |
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Lenny Wayne, originally from the Pacific Northwest, has been in the Driftless Region for about 10 years. He has organized numerous songwriter events in the area, including the Songwriters Showcase at the Galena Center for the Artists, where he has been the host since its inception in 2014. He can be found regularly playing original songs and cover tunes as a solo artist and in several different bands, including his current collaboration with Pearl in Big Medicine. |
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Pearl Olson, aka Cowgirl Pearl, has played music since she was young, and is at home on the mandolin, standup bass fiddle and guitar as well as with vocals and songwriting.
Her experience as a midwife and the mother of five, as well as her years traveling and playing with multiple bands, has given her songwriting and musical expression many flavors. Pearl always offers something new and always gives us a little surprise. Rumor has it she is moving to Hawaii, so be sure to catch her now, while you can.
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Scarecrows!
Art That Stands Out In Its Field
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Historically, scarecrows have typically been dressed in old clothes and placed in open fields to discourage birds. The Galena scarecrows are meant to attract, rather than shoo away, and may include a wide range of materials, from metal to wood to straw, and a range of whimsical and fanciful costumes and poses.
Please join in the fun and have your scarecrow up and ready by September 20. Once our “scary” friends are in place and have returned to our landscape, a map will be shared locating the scarecrows around town, so that you may see how many you can find! If you want to have your home or business on the map, please let Carole know, click here, by September 10. Scarecrows are encouraged to stay up through October 31.
at the Galena Center for the Arts
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Some memorable scarecrows from the past |
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Historical Society’s 28th Annual Cemetery Walk
Special Evening Indoor Performance
September 23
7pm – 9pm
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Performers of the Cemetery Walk will be exploring the rugged lives of early settlers, sharing stories of prosperity and the challenges of intersecting cultures, politics, war and slavery. The Cemetery Walk is one of the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society’s major fundraising events. A team of researchers, actors and supporters put countless
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Ron and Kris Chapman as
Frederick and Alice Stahl
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hours of preparation into each year’s walk to create a remarkable experience. |
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Directors Ronn Toebaas and Jay Dickerson rely heavily on research by local librarians and Historical Society to find the facts behind the people who are portrayed in each walk. |
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Volunteer Training
September 23 - 10am
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Please note the new date of September 23,
not the 10th as advised earlier.
Have you ever wanted to volunteer at the Center, but you aren’t quite sure what is needed, or how to do it? Here’s the chance to get involved. Come to our Volunteer training at 10 am on Friday, September 23. We will describe the various volunteer opportunities, including ushering at music or theatre events, gallery greeters, concession sales, fund-raising, bar-tending, gardening, promotional help, performing, membership on planning committees, and more! Refreshments will be served. Always fun, working together with like-minded people, to support the arts in our community. We look forward to seeing you there.
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In this month’s View from the Studio, you’ll be getting two for one as we are excited to highlight husband-wife artist pair, Jack and Arlene O’Callaghan! Arlene O’Callaghan became fascinated with quilting as a young girl looking at her grandmother’s quilts, although it was “look, but don’t touch,” and those quilts were never used. After high school, Arlene made several quilts, all of which she still has. Then life interfered with further quilting until retirement neared, when Arlene took up an interest in pastels and made a return to quilting. More quilts were added to her collection, including a “paper piecing” wall hanging. Currently, pastels have taken a back seat so that Arlene can focus on some of the UFOs (unfinished objects) in her fabric stash, as well as enjoy an occasional foray into crocheting.
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The move to a bigger studio at the new location presented the chance for husband Jack O’Callaghan to move his leather carving work from home into a shared studio location. Jack had been touring the activities clubs at their snow-bird location in Sun City West, AZ, when he wandered into the Leather Carvers open house while looking for a shortcut to another club. After a short “sales pitch” by a member, he joined up and loved it. For Jack it has become an interesting and creative hobby with a group of like-minded friends—a winning combination! Jack has made a number of cell phone cases, belts, wall art, a purse or two, a miniature saddle, several coasters and a number of other items as he explores his leather carving skills in his Galena Center for the Arts studio. |
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Call for Art
Building Bridges Exhibit
October 7 - December 31
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What does “building bridges” mean to you? To us at the Center, “building bridges” can mean so many things: a kind smile or helping hand builds bridges in the form of human connection; a dear pet or animal can build an emotional bridge to warmth, comfort, and joy; and beautiful vistas both in known and unexplored places often help build bridges to our curiosity and understanding about the complex world around us. |
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We are excited to host our third exhibit, Building Bridges, in our new space, and we hope to include as many regional artists and artforms, including poetry and prose, as possible. This exhibit will last a bit longer than our typical two months, due to upcoming construction work and the holiday season. The Building Bridges Opening Night Reception will be on Friday, October 7, from 5:00 -7:00 pm, and the exhibit will run through December 31, 2022.
Have questions, need more information?
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Radio Show
October 13 - 16
Baskerville
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Get your deerstalker cap on – the play’s afoot! Our fall radio show, Baskerville, is a murderously funny play based upon the Sherlock Holmes mystery The Hound of the Baskervilles. This acclaimed adaptation by Ken Ludwig will play on October 13,14,15, at 7 pm, with a 2 pm matinee on October 16. Plan ahead for an entertaining evening with lots of laughs. Reserved seat tickets will be on sale through our website starting September 13.
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October
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7 - Building Bridges, Art Opening
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13 - 16 - Baskerville, Radio Show
- 18 - Open Mic
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20 - Songwriters Showcase, featuring Jon Troast
November
- 8 - Open Mic
- 17 - Songwriters Showcase
December
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4 - Ladies Must Swing Band, at Turner Hall. Free Concert
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Recent Activities
at the Center
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Our inaugural art class, Capturing Galena in Pen, Ink and Watercolor, in our new classroom at the Center was a great success! Ann Thomas shared her techniques with an eager group, teaching how to use minimal sketching tools to capture the beautiful architecture of Galena.
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The Center looks forward to hosting more classes in the future. Please contact Gallery Manager, Laura Primrose, if you or someone you know are interested in teaching a class or have a subject you’d like to learn more about in a future class at the Center. |
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Perfect weather greeted the Center for the Arts supporters attending the Garden Party at beautiful Linmar Gardens. Many thanks to Hal Martin and Bob Burton for their hospitality, letting us all enjoy their magical space. |
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Musicians Justice Heinold and Luke Tyler, from Northeast Iowa School of Music, provided delightful background music. |
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Incredible gardens, delicious treats, and good company! A beautiful afternoon. |
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High energy and fun music filled our youth concert,
Songs from the Cellar.
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Liliana Asta played the first set. |
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Hayes Noble rocked the second set. |
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Bruce Moon Songwriters Showcase! |
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What a beautiful evening outdoors for
the Bruce Moon Songwriters Showcase!
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Opening music by Lexi Healey. |
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Bruce Moon’s band reached an enthusiastic audience. |
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Lots of laughs and enthusiastic response to “Hello, My Name is …” Improv group. |
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Everyone gets into the act with Improv! |
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Corporate Spotlight
for September
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Bob Felderman Photography
The Grateful Gourmet
Woodbine Bend Golf Course
and Restaurant
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Welcome, New Corporate Members!
We welcome three new Corporate Members this month,
and are so appreciative of their support
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Bob Felderman is an independent photojournalist and commercial photographer based in Iowa. Bob spent four decades globally serving in our nation's military and as a real estate broker locally. Since 2010 he began storytelling through photographs and continued his experiences traveling the globe. He now accepts independent editorial and commercial photography assignments for press, media, magazine publications, and other clients. He generously took 360 degree photos of the new Galena Center for the Arts when we first purchased it. It’s amazingly different now!
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The Grateful Gourmet is an unique specialty food and kitchenware store located in Galena’s historic Main Street district. Over the span of their 25 years in business, their ever-changing wealth of inventory and incredible supply of kitchen and cooking resources has made it a must stop for chefs, bakers, foodies and cocktail enthusiasts. The Grateful Gourmet has collaborated with the Center by selling our “Feeding the Arts” cookbooks, and a special “Artful Awakening” signature coffee created just for the Center. We look forward to working with them on projects in the future.
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Woodbine Bend Golf Course and Restaurant is an 18-hole link style golf course and restaurant, built on scenic rolling farmland, located between Elizabeth and Woodbine. Woodbine Bend, who just celebrated their 20 year anniversary, has a long relationship with the Center. In 2018 they gave a major donation to the Center when they donated half the proceeds from their annual non-profit golf outing to the Center, and have continued their support and interest in our progress.
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- Bryan Ackerman
- Lee Adami
- Reigne Adrian
- Patricia Allen-Stewart
- Jim Asta
- Liliana Asta
- Maria del Carmen Ayala
- Jim Baranski
- Tom and Suzie Bendler
- Marianne Berenz
- Deb Bertucci
- Matt Blaum
- Elizabeth Boggess
- Pat Bull
- Bob Burton
- Jean Carlson
- Matt Carroll
- John Cox
- Dan Dittmar
- Cathy Dorwick
- Gavin Doyle
- Jean Dregne
- Janet Eggleston
- EHMS Mechanical Services
- Elite Plumbing
- Cathie and Al Elsbree
- Tom Erdman
- Tessa Flak
- Marcos Forte
- Avery Fullerton
- Galena Area Chamber of Commerce
- Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society
- Sheila Haman
- Dan Harms
- Mary Carol Harris
- Lexi Healey
- Richard Hess
- Barb Hocker
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- Hoof It
- Terri Jackman
- Al and Sue Jirkovsky
- Kloss-Winter Electric
- Bonnielynn Kreiser
- Kim Kreiser
- Patricia Lehnhardt
- Linmar Gardens
- Lord of Love Lutheran Church
- Jeff Maeder
- Carol Mantey
- Hal Martin
- John Martinson
- Paul and Nancy McMenamin
- Deb, Paul and Jeffrey Mikol
- Montgomery-Timmerman Construction
- P.T. Murphy
- Brett Noble
- Hayes Noble
- Rose Noble
- Paul Pendola
- Riverbend Gallery
- Marion Roberts
- Colin Sanderson
- Alison Schoenrock
- Jim Shopofski
- Denise and Chuck Spielman
- Ann Thomas
- Bill Vincent
- Vincent Earth Moving
- Casey Walters
- Dennis Waltman
- Connie Warnsing
- Lenny Wayne
- Andy Willis
- Sandy Winge
- Greg Wolf
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It’s time to renew your membership!
Did you know you can become a member,
or renew your membership, online?
Click here for information about our
membership program.
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We are thrilled that we now have over 500 members, and are eager to expand our programming so that we can offer something for everyone! We ask for no funding from the City of Galena, but instead count on our local and regional friends to support the important work we do, through memberships and donations. It makes a difference.
The Arts benefit education; the Arts benefit the economy; and the Arts offer a richer life for all of us. Please be generous with your membership and added donations, so that we can complete the construction in our beautiful new venue, and get all programming back on track.
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Time to get involved! We still need greeters for the gallery, and volunteers to help with serving at openings, ushering at music and theatre events, garden maintenance, painting, and more!
If you would like to help out as a greeter, please go to
Signupgenius.com and choose the dates you would like to help. It’s not hard, and it’s so much fun to meet other art lovers, and show off our wonderful new space. For other volunteer opportunities, email Carole.
Thanks so much!
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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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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
971 Gear Street, Galena, Illinois 61036
(815) 402-3111
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To join the Galena Center for the Arts YouTube channel click on this link. When on YouTube click SUBSCRIBE. To receive notification of new videos click on the bell icon next to SUBSCRIBED then click on ALL.
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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 a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. |
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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!
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Newsletter produced by Dennis Waltman |
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