In its’ 8th year, Quad Cities Chalk Art Fest will take place June 22-23, 2024 at Schwiebert Riverfront Park in downtown Rock Island, IL. The festival starts at 10 a.m. both days and goes till 7pm on Saturday and 5pm on Sunday. This FREE, live outdoor arts festival brings together hundreds of artists that spend hours transforming the cement pavement at Schwiebert Park into a museum of chalk art, while competing for cash prizes. Visitors strolling by can see the wonderful works of art as they come to life, vote for their favorite and even do some chalk art of their own, by taking part in the community... Read More

Congratulations to RIHS student Riley Jones, whose piece “Black Pride” was selected as the winner for the Congressional Art Competition! Riley’s artwork will be on display in the U.S. Capitol! Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announced the winner and runners-up of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. The public got to vote for their favorite submission. The first-place winner this year is Riley Jones from Rock Island High School, whose submission “Black Pride” will be displayed in the United States Capitol! The Congressional Art Competition... Read More

Art-Mageddon Kicks off the holiday season with an array of local artists and crafters gathered at the Freight House Farmers Market (421 W River Dr. Davenport) this Saturday Nov 7 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Shop local and get started with your holiday gift-giving in an outdoor and safe environment! From custom wood signs, and wooden toys, woven baskets, and handmade jewelry. Food truck, baked goods, wine, and beer onsite! For more information, please visit https://www.freighthousefarmersmarket.com/. For more fun things to do in the Quad Cities this week, check out the latest issue of FUN10QC.  Read More

Make your way to the beautiful LeClaire for Cody Road Artoberfest, this Saturday Oct 10 and Sunday Oct 11 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. This 2-day arts and craft event will be held at the LeClaire Civic Center, located at 127 S Cody Rd. LeClaire. Local artists and crafters will be displaying their talent and selling items. Perfect opportunity to get your fall craft items and presents for Christmas. There will also be fine gifts for purchase. Join local artists and crafters for a socially distanced shopping spree! Travel a one-way journey through booths of local artisans and small businesses selling their... Read More

Welcome to the QuadCities.com Virtual Art Gallery! In this feature, we’re spotlighting area artists and their work. Every Tuesday we’ll feature a new local artist. It’s free and our way of showcasing awesome area artists and allowing them to include a link to their own online gallery or patreon! If you’d like to be included in the gallery, just send your bio, a headshot pic of yourself and up to a half-dozen .jpgs of your art to Sean@QuadCities.com. We look forward to adding YOU to the gallery!   Our artist this week is Jon Burns, one of my favorites on the local scene; in fact... Read More

Six public sculptures in Bettendorf and four in Rock Island are in the process of being replaced with new ones. Each city has elected to keep one sculpture from last years’ selection for another year. Quad City Arts has facilitated the leasing and installation of public sculpture in the Quad Cities since 2002. The City of Rock Island has participated in the program, yearly, since 2007 and Bettendorf, since 2008. All of the sculptures are for sale and can be purchased by individuals, businesses or the city for permanent installation after June of the following year. In Bettendorf, look for “Uncle... Read More

As we all continue to Shelter in Place and practice safe Social Distancing, we are finding that turning away from the news and focusing on uplifting and hopeful messages provided by artists and musicians and the treasures they create, are quite beneficial. Local musician Lewis Knudsen is one of the many Quad Citians dedicated to bringing the community positive entertainment through these times. Lewis, however, may be taking local live concerts to the next level for other artists. Lewis Knudsen is currently (right now!) performing a 12-hour live concert on Facebook! You can find his live stream... Read More

Join a variety of local artists and makers this Sunday, September 10th  for the fourth monthly installment of the 2017 Rock Island Artists‘ Market. Over 20 vendors selling art, hand-crafted goods and more will be set up in the parking lot of Skeleton Key Art and Antiques at 520 18th Street, Rock Island. Live music will be provided by Roger Carlson & Friends. The market takes place on the second Sunday of each month, June through October, from 12-4 pm. The Rock Island Artists’ Market was formed through a partnership of the Rock Island Arts Advisory Committee and Skeleton Key Art and Antiques. The... Read More