Quad City Arts presents the 44th-annual High School Art Invitational at Quad City Arts Gallery in Rock Island, through April 29, 2021. The exhibition is free and open to the public. The gallery (1715 2nd Ave., Rock Island) will be open extended hours — until 8 p.m. — on April 29th.  A virtual award presentation is live on Quad City Arts Facebook page , along with an online gallery where all of the entries can be viewed at www.quadcityarts.com/hs-invitational.html, This exhibition features exemplary works of art selected by each high school art teacher in the region. On average, 16 schools,... Read More

While last year’s Quad City Arts Chalk Art Fest was virtual, the fifth-annual event will be back live and in person June 26-27, at Schwiebert Riverfront Park, in downtown Rock Island, directly across the street from Quad City Arts headquarters and gallery. Last year’s event was spread out over two weeks in the second half of August, where 100 artists chalked up their driveways, porches and sidewalks, and the first-place winner was from southern California. Inspiring and engaging for people of all ages, this free, two-day street painting festival in June will bring together hundreds of local... Read More

Get an in-depth look at the latest traveling exhibit at the Figge Museum tonight! You can attend a virtual talk at 6:30 p.m. by American artist Ann Gale, who is featured in the traveling exhibit “For America,” through May 16. Gale is known for her complex and expressive oil paintings of individuals. Gale earned her BFA from Rhode Island College and her MFA from Yale University. She is a Professor of Fine Arts at the University of Washington, Seattle. Gale is an American figurative painter based in Seattle, Wash. Gale received her BFA from the Rhode Island College and her MFA from Yale University.... Read More

We all lead hectic lives. We’ve got a lot going on. Sometimes we don’t have the time to look through the various lists and calendars and such to see what’s happening this weekend. Luckily, we’ve got WEEKEND IN 2 MINUTES! Every Thursday, our podcast offers a quick and fun look around the pop cultural landscape in the Quad-Cities to let you know what’s happening — what bands are out playing, what events are going on, etc. It’s a fast rundown of some of the cool stuff going on in our community, and of course it’s always free for you to listen to here... Read More

The Figge Café, featuring the culinary skills of Quad-City native Chef Jason Stewart, will reopen to the public on Thursday, April 22. It’s inside the Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St., Davenport. Stewart, who is also known as “Chef Stu” and owner of Zeke’s Island Café in Bettendorf, will be introducing a completely updated menu that will launch in conjunction with the Café’s reopening. Items include a variety of sandwiches — including the Rustic Burger, that is ground fresh and hand pressed daily, vegetable cheddar chowder soup, loaded Caesar and B.L.T. salads with homemade salad... Read More

Western Illinois University senior Art major Andrea Kliffmiller, of Rushville, IL, will have her solo Bachelor of Fine Arts graduation exhibition, “Bound,” on display Tuesday, April 20-Friday, April 30 at the University Art Gallery. Kliffmiller is also the recipient of the 2021 Mavigliano/Brabec Senior Art Prize through the WIU Department of Art and Design. The exhibit is open free to the public. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-noon; 1-4 p.m. and Saturday 1-4 p.m. The gallery is closed on University holidays. For more information about the Gallery, visit wiu.edu/artgallery.  Read More

It’s Sunday, and QuadCities.com proudly presents Fun10, a list of the top 10 things to do in the Quad Cities this week, and every week! Every Sunday, we drop a new Fun10, to give you a head start on your week and a heads up on what’s going on over the coming seven days. Check out FUN10 every Sunday for the details on ten awesome events happening around town. It’s a cool read, and a great way to get started planning your entertainment for the week. FUN10 — ten ways for you to have fun in the Quad-Cities, this week and every week, running every Sunday, only on your site for fun, free, local... Read More

To honor and celebrate Quad Citizens who have stepped up to support the community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the Figge Art Museum is offering free admission to all essential workers this week through Saturday. “Quite simply, we would not have gotten through the past year without the heroic efforts of our community’s essential workers — from medical personnel to teachers to grocery store workers. Day in and day out, these Quad Citizens have consistently made sacrifices for our region,” said Figge Executive Director and CEO Michelle Hargrave. “Their efforts are to be commended... Read More

“Life is so strange when you don’t know How can you tell where you’re going to You can’t be sure of any situation Something could change and then you won’t know…” And who knows, that something could be you get to be treated to a fun, awesome video every Monday on QuadCities.com as part of The Video You Deserve? It’s our weekly trek through the fun, funny, odd and strange world of music videos to perk up the beginning of your week. Today’s video will be of particular interest to any fans of Lady Gaga, because the good Lady undoubtedly was massively... Read More

Saturday in the Arts is a weekly feature covering a trend, subject, event or personality of local interest. It runs every Saturday morning on your site for the best entertainment and arts coverage in the area, QuadCities.com! The Covid-19 pandemic not only drove many people crazy, but it’s driven them more than ever outdoors – for comfort, relaxation, exercise and simple enjoyment of the natural world. The beautiful, restorative calm of the Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th Ave., Rock Island, has been perfectly positioned to welcome those weary pandemic warriors. And with a new executive... Read More