#thinkbigworkbigbebig

It all started…

in 1923 under the leadership of arts patron Mr. George Dole. The Galesburg Civic Art League was formed as the Galesburg Chapter for the American Federation of the Arts. For the next three decades the League promoted the sale of art, presented free exhibits and promoted art activities. The first piece in our permanent collection was acquired in 1923. The Art League had no permanent home, so they met in vacant storefronts, at the public library and at the Illinois Power building.

In 1946, the community lounge of the YMCA became the League’s first permanent home. By 1965, the community lounge was no longer available because of expansion plans for the YMCA. A new home was needed. This became a transition point in the history of the Art League. It was decided that owning a building was appropriate and necessary so that exhibits and activities could be held. At the same time, the group decided to open its membership to anyone, no longer being “by invitation only”. The building at 114 East Main Street was found, purchased and remodeled, and the organization began using the Galesburg Civic Art Center as its public name. All members of the community were invited to join and the business community became very involved. In 1968, the first part-time staff member was hired.

Since 1965 the Art Center has hosted monthly exhibits, held classes and participated in outreach activities. Yearly, the Art Center hosts the GALEX Exhibition and Competition, one of the oldest art competitions in the country, which attracts artists from coast to coast. Another annual show is the Members and Friends Exhibition which is open to anyone within a 50-mile radius of the Art Center. The Art Center also hosts an annual art fair held each summer. It features over 50 artists, activities for kids, food and music. The Galesburg Civic Art Center holds a permanent collection of nearly 700 works. Each year we add to the collection with a work purchased from the GALEX exhibition. The collection represents Galesburg’s artistic history with work from local artists collected since the organization’s founding, as well as from artists who have exhibited or stayed in the community.

In 2003, the Art Center added the Studios Midwest Residency Program to its annual program schedule. At the time, the residency program was in its 18th year of bringing visual artists, both national and international, to Galesburg. In 2004, the Art Center took additional steps toward future growth and development by purchasing the building adjacent to the 114 E. Main St. structure. In the fall of 2009, the Art Center’s gift shop, which shows and sells works by over 100 local artists, was moved to the storefront in that adjacent building. The move also allowed for an expansion of gallery space giving the Art Center the ability to showcase more work. In 2011, the Blick Gallery was completed. The Blick Gallery is located directly behind the Art Center’s gift shop. It is designed to be a less formal gallery and workshop space.

And now…

we embark on a new adventure! Mark and Jeannette Kleine have generously donated the Odd Fellows Building at 349 E. Main Street to the Art Center so that we may expand and grow in ways we have always dreamed of.

“Planning for a collaborative arts space began in 2018, and has been a deliberate and measured process" says GCAC Executive Director, Tuesday Cetin.  “We have explored multiple partnerships, potential locations, and programming that would engage artists, our community and visitors to our area, this exploration included extensive work with The Galesburg Community Foundation and independent consultants."  As a result of our efforts the newly designed space will include art galleries, a regional arts innovation lab (R.A.I.L.), artist studios, classrooms, a children’s interactive area, expanded retail space, a place for culinary experiences and events, and a dedicated curative space for the Art Center's permanent and extensive art collection." 

The Antiques Mall has moved to 140 S. Prairie St., and we are now able to continue the renovations that began in August! We will be closed February 1 - mid-March, holding previously scheduled classes offsite. We hope to resume a schedule of workshops and art gatherings in mid-March, while other portions of the Odd Fellows building are attended to.   

As we renovate to not only pay homage to a centerpiece of our downtown, we look forward to a new iteration of the Arts Center into the Galesburg Community Arts Center, and we invite you to join us in our new adventure #thinkbigworkbigbebig