Stop by the Imagination Station when you visit the arts center this December! Kiddos are welcome to complete a FREE kids drop-in art activity using the provided supplies anytime during our open hours in December.
Get creative with us as we ramp up to KIDS’ ART MONTH in January 2026!
Save the date for KIDS' MONTH in January 2026! This year's theme will be ART IRL (In Real Life): Artists in the World Around Us.
FREE art sessions for children in K-8th grade!
Every WED. (4-6pm) and SAT. (10am-12pm) in January 2026
Galesburg Community Arts Center (349 East Main Street)
Sessions kick off Wednesday, January 7th at 4pm! See you there
Save the date for KIDS' MONTH in January 2026! This year's theme will be ART IRL (In Real Life): Artists in the World Around Us.
FREE art sessions for children in K-8th grade!
Every WED. (4-6pm) and SAT. (10am-12pm) in January 2026
Galesburg Community Arts Center (349 East Main Street)
Sessions kick off Wednesday, January 7th at 4pm! See you there
Save the date for KIDS' MONTH in January 2026! This year's theme will be ART IRL (In Real Life): Artists in the World Around Us.
FREE art sessions for children in K-8th grade!
Every WED. (4-6pm) and SAT. (10am-12pm) in January 2026
Galesburg Community Arts Center (349 East Main Street)
Sessions kick off Wednesday, January 7th at 4pm! See you there
We are very excited to announce that the prospectus + application for GALEX 59 is now LIVE! https://www.galesburgarts.org/galex
GALEX is the combination of the words Galesburg and Exhibition. What began as a regional exhibition has grown into a national competition/exhibition celebrating its 59th year! Open to artists working in all media, this year's juror, RUTH LANTZ, will award over $2,500 in prizes choosing over 70+ works for the exhibition.
🚨 DEADLINE to APPLY: January 17, 2026 at 11:59pm (Central)
✨ OUR JUROR: Ruth Lantz holds an MFA in Visual Studies from Pacific Northwest College of Art and a BFA in Studio Arts from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, notably at ARC Gallery, Northern Illinois University, Governors State University, Portland International Airport, and Russo Lee Gallery. She has been included in regional biennials at the Evansville Museum, the Freeport Art Museum, and the Rockford Art Museum. Her work bridges the visual language of 19th-century landscape painting with the digital environments of contemporary life.
All applications must be submitted through CaFÉ.
https://artist.callforentry.org/festivals_unique_info.php?ID=16448
Save the date for KIDS' MONTH in January 2026! This year's theme will be ART IRL (In Real Life): Artists in the World Around Us.
FREE art sessions for children in K-8th grade!
Every WED. (4-6pm) and SAT. (10am-12pm) in January 2026
Galesburg Community Arts Center (349 East Main Street)
Sessions kick off Wednesday, January 7th at 4pm! See you there
Save the date for KIDS' MONTH in January 2026! This year's theme will be ART IRL (In Real Life): Artists in the World Around Us.
FREE art sessions for children in K-8th grade!
Every WED. (4-6pm) and SAT. (10am-12pm) in January 2026
Galesburg Community Arts Center (349 East Main Street)
Sessions kick off Wednesday, January 7th at 4pm! See you there
Save the date for KIDS' MONTH in January 2026! This year's theme will be ART IRL (In Real Life): Artists in the World Around Us.
FREE art sessions for children in K-8th grade!
Every WED. (4-6pm) and SAT. (10am-12pm) in January 2026
Galesburg Community Arts Center (349 East Main Street)
Sessions kick off Wednesday, January 7th at 4pm! See you there
Save the date for KIDS' MONTH in January 2026! This year's theme will be ART IRL (In Real Life): Artists in the World Around Us.
FREE art sessions for children in K-8th grade!
Every WED. (4-6pm) and SAT. (10am-12pm) in January 2026
Galesburg Community Arts Center (349 East Main Street)
Sessions kick off Wednesday, January 7th at 4pm! See you there
GALEX is the combination of the words Galesburg and Exhibition. What began as a regional exhibition has grown into a national competition/exhibition celebrating its 59th year. Open to artists working in all mediums, this year's juror, Ruth Lantz, will award over $2,500 in prizes choosing over 70+ works for the exhibition.
On view Feb 27 - Apr 11, 2026 in the first floor galleries.
Opening reception Friday, February 27 from 5-8pm.
Stop by the Imagination Station when you visit the arts center this December! Kiddos are welcome to complete a FREE kids drop-in art activity using the provided supplies anytime during our open hours in December.
Get creative with us as we ramp up to KIDS’ ART MONTH in January 2026!
Sip on a festive beverage while creating unique industrial ornaments! Join us after breakfast, or feel free to bring your brunch with you.
Grab a friend, get a drink, and let your inner artist out! 21+
$10 per person
Follow along with Jeanne to create a beautiful luminary of your own! Wet felting uses water, soap, wool fibers, and friction.
Class fee includes all materials and instruction. $25 per person.
Stop by the Imagination Station when you visit the arts center this December! Kiddos are welcome to complete a FREE kids drop-in art activity using the provided supplies anytime during our open hours in December.
Get creative with us as we ramp up to KIDS’ ART MONTH in January 2026!
2025 Merry Market
Saturday, November 22 from 10 AM - 4 PM
Galesburg Community Arts Center
349 East Main Street, Galesburg, IL
Free admission
Join us for our upcoming MERRY MARKET on Saturday, November 22, 2025! Browse original handcrafted artwork by over 20+ regional artists spread across all three floors of the Arts Center. Sip on festive libations from our cash bar, and shop the day away! Support small business & your local makers.
J. Neal Botanical Papers (paper, cards, ornaments)
BK Pullen (framed & matted paintings and prints)
Mary Hildebrand (oil paintings, cards, prints)
Jeanne Clark (felted wool, winter and Christmas decor)
Becky Peterson (papier-mache, holiday items)
Lone Wolf MGM Designs (jewelry & pottery)
Stacey Miller Art (watercolor)
Art by Aniteb (paintings, prints, stationary)
Cyn Elizabeth Studios (stained glass, sea glass art, silversmithing, jewelry, and more)
My Art Creations (jewelry bead designs)
June 13 Pottery (pottery: mugs, bowls, plates, ornaments)
Cerezas (Art by Sheri Lozano)
Jubilation Ceramics (functional ceramics: mugs, bowls, vases)
Betsy Zmuda-Swanson (handmade journals, landscape paintings, oil and acrylic)
Art by Jennifer Jayne (paintings, floral & landscape)
Cheeta Moon Designs (handcrafted jewelry, silver & bronze)
Fox Art (paintings, fused glass, painted feathers)
Off Center Art (jewelry & cards)
SmithGirl Handmade (journals & bowls made of magazines)
Sage Lundquist Art (prints, cards, stickers, buttons, tea towels, leather)
Etcetera - Custom Designs (jewelry, wire-wrapped)
M&R Doubet Farms (sublimation pieces, cups, keychains, bookmarks, phone cases, skincare + soaps)
Baskets & More (Woven goods, baskets, vases, jewelry)
Thank you to Brightspeed Fiber for sponsoring this event.
Join us for our Homeschool Art Club! Students have the opportunity to learn techniques and instructions for specific projects—this month students will learn the art of hand-lettering! 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!
This year, we invite you to celebrate 17 years of GBOS on all 3 floors of the Arts Center! Start the night off by exploring the building to select your favorite handmade bowl, fill up on a flight of soups, enjoy music, check out the exSOUPbition, participate in the silent auction, and more!
$65 - Early Access - VIB Dinner for 1 Person
Includes first dibs at those Very Important Bowls, a 5-Soup Flight + Bread, enjoy cocktails with Chris — plus, charcuterie, dessert, music, an ExSOUPbition, silent auction, and more! Doors open at 4:30pm.
$50 - VIB Dinner for 1 Person
Includes a Very Important Bowl of your choice, a 5-Soup Flight + Bread, enjoy cocktails with Chris — plus, charcuterie, dessert, music, an ExSOUPbition, silent auction, and more! Doors open at 5pm.
Stay tuned for more details about the evening, plus ticket pickup at GCAC.
Learn the foundations of wheel throwing in this hands-on beginner class. With personalized, small-group instruction from Janis, 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!
You will have the opportunity to throw as many pieces as you'd like, but you may only take 1 piece home. Each additional piece costs $10. All finished pieces that are not taken home will be donated to Great Bowls of Soup 2026!
PLEASE NOTE:
November 5th, 5-8pm — Throwing
November 6th, 5-7pm — Trimming*
TBD — Glazing**
*If you cannot attend the Trimming session, you will be charged $10 for staff to trim.
**We will provide more than 1 opportunity to glaze.
Enjoy a beverage while creating magnificent mini boxes covered in brilliant, crackled eggshells! Join us after breakfast, or feel free to bring your brunch with you.
Grab a friend, get a drink, and let your inner artist out! 21+
Save the Date! Join us for a night of SPOOKY music & art trivia on Saturday, October 25th at the Galesburg Community Arts Center. Doors open at 5pm, and trivia starts at 6pm. Food truck from Smokin’ Willies BBQ.
Sat, Oct 18 & 25 from 10am-12pm
$25 GCAC Members / $30 Non-Members
This course is required for independent usage of the Printmaking Studio during Open Studio hours.
Order your business team (3+ people) lunches featuring soup, cookie, bread, and a handmade bowl! Orders due by October 20 for delivery between 11am-1pm on Friday, October 24, 2025.
Join us for our Homeschool Art Club! Students have the opportunity to learn techniques and instructions for specific projects—this month we'll be making Tunnel Books! 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!
Drop in to paint a large-scale community puzzle! The final product will be on display in the brand-new Imagination Station.
All ages welcome! FREE
Sat, Oct 18 & 25 from 10am-12pm
$25 GCAC Members / $30 Non-Members
This course is required for independent usage of the Printmaking Studio during Open Studio hours.
Sessions run October 16 - December 18, twice monthly on Thursdays, from 2-4:30pm at the Galesburg Community Arts Center.
Register for individual sessions ($35/each) OR bundle all 6 sessions for $180! Limit 12 participants per session. Bring a journal with you!
Using wire and mixed media, students will learn about form and proportion in this fun, technique-building class!
Recommended for ages 10+
$10 per child
Drop in to paint a large-scale community puzzle! The final product will be on display in the brand-new Imagination Station.
All ages welcome! $5 per child.
Collagraph plates create richly textured prints by layering—and even cutting into—materials like fabric, string, cardboard, and found objects. Explore how various surfaces hold ink to produce bold, dynamic images. This hands-on process is approachable for all skill levels and encourages playful experimentation with texture, composition, and printing techniques.
Thurs. Oct 9 from 10am-12pm
FREE for area seniors (62+). Gather with friends—or make new ones—at the Arts Center for studio fun!
Family members (non-seniors) can pay a $5 fee to attend.
Join us for a very SPOOKY ArtBar this October! Enjoy creating linocuts and sipping on Bloody Marys (…and mimosas!) on Saturday, October 4th from 10am-12pm. $10 per person. Galesburg Community Arts Center.
Participants are also welcome to drop-in the morning of, while supplies last!
Join us for a FREE opening reception on Friday, October 3 from 5-7pm to celebrate Jenny Chi’s exhibition Renaissance Atlas. On view October 3 - November 15, 2025.
National Arts in Education Week Exhibition, featuring the artwork of Galesburg High School students Vivian Aldus, Mariah Burns, Audrey Green, Vainqueur Mulata, and Jayden Nguyen. On view at the Galesburg Community Arts Center September 26 - October 25, 2025.
Join us for a FREE opening reception on Friday, October 3 at 4pm.
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!
($5 to participate, free with student ID)
You are invited to submit your original art for an exhibition and prizes, at WALNUT GROVE FARM during the Scenic Drive, the first two weekends in October (10/4-10/5, 10/11-10/12).
• All 2-dimensional original artwork accepted, such as paint, watercolors, collage, photography, etc. NO coloring pages, all work must be original.
• 12 x 16 maximum size, ready to mount. A label must be attached to the back of the art work.
• All entries must be dropped off to the Galesburg Community Arts Center, 349 E. Main St. by Saturday, September 27 by 3pm. All work must be picked up from Walnut Grove Farm on Sunday, October 12 between 1 and 5 pm. Artwork not picked up at that time will not be kept.
There is no participation fee — It’s FREE! Only one entry per student. Each contestant will be eligible for a cash prize in their age group AND each contestant can choose from the Art Supply Grab Bag when they pick up their work October 12.
Join us for an exciting night of paint, community, and Salvador Dali! Part Paint-by-Numbers and part Pub Crawl... It's Paint Crawl with GCAC!
CANVAS PICK-UP LOCATION: Galesburg Community Arts Center. Start here to receive your canvas and instructions for the evening, then begin your crawl!
Participating venues include:
- Budde's (425 E. Main)
- Cornucopia (176 S. Seminary)
- Reserve Artisan Ales (185 S. Kellogg)
- Fisk Bier & Wine (240 E. Simmons)
- Opies (158 N. Broad)
- Galesburg Community Arts Center (349 E. Main)
FOOD + DRINK SPECIALS TBA
Buddes: $5.00 Pizza by the slice & $6.00 PBR pitchers
Cornucopia: Personal charcuterie (vegan available!) + both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink specials
Fisk Bier & Wine: Oktoberfest Board (special bratwurst, German potato salad, horseradish sauce, sauerkraut, crostini) plus at least 2 Oktoberfest Biers on tap!
Opie’s: Brie dish with homemade bacon jam + crackers; Sweet Chili Lime Spritz Cocktail
Get Centered: Intro to Wheel Throwing with Chris Dokolasa
✨ September 17 (5-8pm) + September 18 (5-6pm), 2025
👉 Register: https://galesburgarts.networkforgood.com/events/89755-wheel-throwing-with-chris-dokolasa
Please note, the ticket price is ALL-INCLUSIVE (throwing session, trimming session, and glazing session all factored into the price)!
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!
You will have the opportunity to throw as many pieces as you'd like, but you may only take one (1) piece home. (Additional pieces may be taken home for a $10 add-on fee.) All finished pieces that not taken home will be donated to Great-Great-GREAT Bowls of Soup fundraiser!
Let's get messy! 💫
Our first mid-week Senior Studios! We'll see you on Thursday, September 18th from 10am until noon. Let's Get Messy!
FREE for area seniors (62+). Gather with friends—or make new ones—at the Arts Center for studio fun!
Family members (non-seniors) can pay a $5 fee to attend.
Please note: Senior deposits are no longer required. Please let us know if you can no longer attend, so that your spot may be given to someone else.
Get Centered: Intro to Wheel Throwing with Chris Dokolasa
✨ September 17 (5-8pm) + September 18 (5-6pm), 2025
👉 Register: https://galesburgarts.networkforgood.com/events/89755-wheel-throwing-with-chris-dokolasa
Please note, the ticket price is ALL-INCLUSIVE (throwing session, trimming session, and glazing session all factored into the price)!
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!
You will have the opportunity to throw as many pieces as you'd like, but you may only take one (1) piece home. (Additional pieces may be taken home for a $10 add-on fee.) All finished pieces that not taken home will be donated to Great-Great-GREAT Bowls of Soup fundraiser!
Let's get messy! 💫
Join us for our Homeschool Art Club! Students have the opportunity to learn techniques and instructions for specific projects—this month we'll be learning about Shibori! 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!
