Save the date for the Galesburg Community Arts Center’s annual Bowl-in-a-Bag Business Lunch! Reserve your lunches for Thursday, November 5 from 11am-1pm—including soup, a cookie, and a handmade ceramic bowl!
Additional details TBA soon!
CritZ sessions are friendly, constructive discussions oriented around process + creativity. Bring a piece or two of your original artworks (finished or in-progress) for a group critique. No prior critiquing experience is necessary, and all skill levels are encouraged to join!
Now FREE for anyone to participate! (Please register so we know how many to expect).
Save the date for the Galesburg Community Arts Center’s annual Great Bowls of Soup fundraiser! Join us on Thursday, November 12 from 5-7:30pm for an evening of original, handmade ceramics, delicious soups from local restaurants, and support for the arts!
Additional details TBA
Live Model Session: Portraiture Workshop
SAT, Nov 14, 10am-1pm, $20-$35
Join Ana for a second Portrait in Oil class for additional practice with a live model! Luca will be modeling for us this session, providing the opportunity to practice a unique portrait and explore contrasts and differences from our first model, Diana.
2 ticket types available! Please read the course description carefully.
"The Portrait in Oil" ticket includes all materials — brushes, oil paint, easel, palette, and primed surface to work on. You may register for this class even if you didn't take the first Portrait in Oil class — open to all levels!
This session is also open to artists who would like to work from a live, clothed model, but who will bring their own drawing or painting materials. If this is you, please purchase the "Open Portrait Session - BYO Materials" ticket! With this ticket, you are guaranteed a spot in the class and an easel to work on, but you will be responsible for supplying your own drawing or painting tools, paper or canvas, and anything else you need to complete your piece. This is a good option for those who wish to work independently but who would like access to a live model for practice. Must clean up your own supplies at the end.
Ana will be available to help anyone in the class if assistance or instruction is desired! We will take a short break halfway through.
SAVE THE DATE! GCAC Merry Market 2026 will take place on Saturday, November 21st from 10am-3pm. Free admission. Shop wares by local artists + vendors!
Learn the foundations of wheel throwing in this hands-on beginner class. With personalized, small-group instruction from Chris, you'll get comfortable working on the pottery wheel as you practice centering clay, pulling walls, and shaping basic forms like bowls and cups. No experience is necessary—just bring your curiosity and be ready to get messy! $80 per person (price includes throwing, trimming, firing, and glazing)
REGISTER: https://galesburgarts.networkforgood.com/events/106297-wheel-throwing-with-chris-dokolasa
You will have the opportunity to throw as many pieces as you'd like, but you may only take 2 pieces home. Each additional piece will cost $10. All finished pieces that are not taken home will be donated to Great Bowls of Soup 2027!
PLEASE NOTE:
Dec 2nd, 5-8pm — Throwing
Dec 3rd, 5-7pm — Trimming*
Dec/Jan, TBD — Glazing**
*If you cannot attend the Trimming session, you will be charged $10 for staff to trim.
**We will provide multiple opportunities to glaze.
Using fluid mediums and acrylic paint, Wendy will guide participants through the exciting process of acrylic pour painting! Attendees will create unique abstract works of art with the power of gravity!
REGISTER: https://galesburgarts.networkforgood.com/events/106298-acrylic-pour-painting-with-wendy-dispennette
All materials provided | $25 per person
Galesburg Community Arts Center (349 East Main Street)
CritZ sessions are friendly, constructive discussions oriented around process + creativity. Bring a piece or two of your original artworks (finished or in-progress) for a group critique. No prior critiquing experience is necessary, and all skill levels are encouraged to join!
Now FREE for anyone to participate! (Please register so we know how many to expect).
🦇Halloween Artsploration 🎃
🎨Glow-in-the-Dark Painting
Wednesday, October 28th from 5-6pm
Drop in to create spooky creations in the ArtStart Creative Studio! All ages (K-12) are welcome to participate! All materials provided.
FREE to attend!
SAT, Oct 24
10am-2pm (Break halfway through)
$45/$50
Spend the day with Larry! In this 2-part class, participants will have the opportunity to learn and attempt some of his techniques and approaches, and witness LJD's painting in action!
The morning: Start with an interactive lecture/lab on abstracted drawing and composition.
The afternoon: Then, Larry Jon Davis will demonstrate his painting approach to abstraction.
"With each step in a long artistic career, largely dedicated to painting in oil or acrylic, I've always dealt with an important aesthetic decision: how realistic do I want this piece to be?"
We will take a break halfway through the class! All materials provided.
Needle Felting: Moonlit Raven with Jeanne Clark
THURS, Oct 22
5-8pm
$35 per person
Learn the Beautiful Art of Felting with Jeanne Clark! Follow along with Jeanne to create a stunning fall scene depicting a raven in the moonlight! Class fee includes all materials and instruction.
Homeschool Art Club: Paper Beads
Wednesday, October 21st from 1-2:30pm
This month, students will create beads made from paper, which they can incorporate into jewelry, keychains, or a 3D painting!
$5-$10 or FREE with Kids Pass
On view Oct 9, 2026 - Jan 30, 2027
Free opening reception Friday, October 9, 5-7pm
Jimmie Crown Revisited - On view in the Joanne R. Goudie Permanent Collection Gallery (3rd floor) at the Galesburg Community Arts Center from October 9, 2026 to January 30, 2027.
Please join us for a ✨ FREE opening reception next Friday, October 9 from 5-7pm! This will be a combined reception for all three exhibitions, including Natalie Jackson: Straight, No Chaser in the Mark & Jeannette Kleine Main Gallery (1st floor) and the National Arts in Education Week Student Exhibition in the R.A.I.L. Gallery (2nd floor).
See you there!
On view Oct 9 - Nov 14, 2026
Free opening reception Friday, October 9, 5-7pm. Work by Natalie Jackson, including abstracted digital photographs of jazz musicians, inspired by the improvisational nature of the genre.
The National Arts in Education Week: Galesburg High School Student Exhibition is up through October 31st in our 2nd floor R.A.I.L. gallery, featuring artwork by Davion Burgess, Jayme Jezek-Irle, Ella Turner, Jade Turner, and Lyn Walker. 🌟
Free reception Friday, October 9, 5-7pm.
Many thanks to our 2026 Exhibition Sponsor Brightspeed Fiber Internet (@gobrightspeed).
CritZ sessions are friendly, constructive discussions oriented around process + creativity. Bring a piece or two of your original artworks (finished or in-progress) for a group critique. No prior critiquing experience is necessary, and all skill levels are encouraged to join!
FREE! No cost to participate.
Explore different techniques to create a variety of effects using silicone jewelry molds. Several earring and necklace molds will be provided, including plain shapes and more whimsical designs to satisfy quirky and bold humans! Each participant will complete 2 pieces of their choice: either 2 pairs of earrings, 2 necklaces, or one of each. Some of the materials you can choose from include glitter, pigments, alcohol inks, and dried flowers.
$25 per person
All materials provided. Ages 18+
Get started with basic hand-building techniques and learn to create fun + functional ceramics in this 2-part class!
This class is intended for ages 9-17. All materials included in ticket cost, including bisque firing! (Glazing will be an additional fee to cover second firing.)
Glazing session will be announced closer to the date.
$15 with Kids Pass or $20 per person
Tiny artworks, big creativity! Design your own set of ATCs, using paint, collage, found objects, and more! Share your creations, trade with fellow artists, and start (or grow!) your collection. *Painting Mini Planters will also be an option at this ArtBar, rescheduled from its original August date.
Stop by before or after dinner, or bring your meal along!
Grab a friend, get a drink, and let your inner artist out! 21+
$10 per person
Join us for our Homeschool Art Club! Students have the opportunity to learn techniques and instructions for specific projects—this month, students will create their own Artist Trading Cards! We are here to provide arts education for the homeschool community and will supply all materials and directions. Bring your family and get ready to get creative at the Arts Center!
$5-$10 or FREE with Kids Pass
PINCH, COIL, SLAB! Whether you're brand new to clay or looking to strengthen your skills, this class is the perfect introduction to handbuilding. Spend the day exploring the three foundational techniques with Chris Dokolasa and create one ceramic piece using each method.
Then, finish your designs with colorful glazes!
Separate glazing sessions will be held at a later date, for an additional fee.
*Must be 18+
$40, plus $25 glazing fee
Grab your ticket for GCAC's annual Paint Crawl on Thursday, September 10th from 6-9pm! 🎨 This year, crawlers will tackle Monet's famous impressionist lily pond as they create their own version of "The Japanese Footbridge" (1899), honoring Claude Monet 100 years after his death in 1926.
🔸 COST | $35 for GCAC Members, or $40 for Non-members
🔸 REGISTER HERE 👉 https://galesburgarts.networkforgood.com/events/103299-paint-crawl-monet-s-the-japanese-footbridge
Full list of participating venues + food/drink specials coming soon! 🪷
$30 for GCAC Members / $35 for Nonmembers
Join Ana to learn the fundamentals of portraiture in oil paint while working from a live model. This class is suitable for all skill levels — some prior oil painting experience helpful, though not required. All necessary materials will be provided (but you are welcome to bring your own paints and brushes if desired!).
Ana will cover the fundamentals of mapping out your portrait and the basic anatomy of the head, establishing your palette, and building form starting from large, abstract masses and slowly integrating detail. The long open working time of oil paint will be used to our advantage to look slowly and carefully as we paint from direct observation of a live model. We will take a short break halfway through the class!
CritZ sessions are friendly, constructive discussions oriented around process + creativity. Bring a piece or two of your original artworks (finished or in-progress) for a group critique. No prior critiquing experience is necessary, and all skill levels are encouraged to join!
FREE! No cost to participate.
This summer, the Arts Center is hosting a series of demonstrations, or masterclasses, where participants can watch local artists' processes and techniques in real time! Observe, ask questions, get inspired, and apply what you've learned independently. This is a special opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look — no hands-on participation necessary. All members of the community are encouraged to sign up!
Tina Browder - Kitchen Lithography | Sat, August 8, 10am—12pm
Discover the magic of kitchen lithography as Tina demonstrates how everyday materials, like aluminum foil and cola, can be used to create stunning lithographic prints!
Eboni Bellott - Weaving on the Loom | Sat, August 15, 10am—12:30pm
Learn the fundamentals of loom preparation and weaving as Eboni demonstrates each step of the process in real time, sharing the techniques, tools, and traditions behind the craft.
Jeanne Clark - Nuno Felting | Thu, August 27, 5:30—7:30pm
Watch wool and silk become one as Jeanne demonstrates the art of nuno felting, transforming natural fibers into beautiful wearable art!
Larry Jon Davis - Abstract Oil Painting | TBA - Stay Tuned!
See the world through an abstract lens as Larry demonstrates how oil paint can transform observations from life into expressions of emotion and perspective.
Join us for free kids’ art activities at Cooke Park (corner of South Henderson Street and West Second Street) this summer!
Dates are July 1st, 8th, 10th, 15th, 22nd, and 31st from 10am-12pm each day
FREE! All materials + instruction provided by the Galesburg Community Arts Center.
Join us for free kids’ art activities at Cooke Park (corner of South Henderson Street and West Second Street) this summer!
Dates are July 8th, 10th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, and 31st from 10am-12pm each day
FREE! All materials + instruction provided by the Galesburg Community Arts Center.
Play with tempera paint! Using fun textured tools, brushes, and even your fingers, create vibrant, expressive paintings without restraints.
Let's get messy!
$5 per child, or FREE with Kids Pass
