Some awesome artworks will be filling downtown Rock Island this weekend! Quad City Arts is pleased to present the 5th annual Chalk Art Fest, live and in-person June 26-27!  While last year’s event went virtual with artists chalking up their driveways, porches and sidewalks, we are thrilled to host this year’s event in the beautiful setting of Schwiebert Riverfront Park, in downtown Rock Island, directly across the street from Quad City Arts headquarters and gallery. Inspiring and engaging for people of all ages, this free, two-day street painting festival brings together hundreds of local... Read More

EXCLUSIVE: The new four-story TBK Bank building in downtown Bettendorf already cuts a stylish figure inside and outside. Breathtaking and colorful locally-produced art on the second and third floors add a complementary cherry to the stunning architectural sundae. TBK Bank, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Triumph Bancorp, Inc., has relocated its Midwest division headquarters to 1521 Grant Street, opening for business Monday, June 21. The lucky 102 employees who work there get to see new 27-foot-long murals (coordinated through the Quad City Arts Metro Arts program) right off the elevator on the middle... Read More

Quad City Arts on Tuesday announced the full schedule of events for Chalk Art Fest in Schwiebert Park, downtown Rock Island, June 26-27. SATURDAY, JUNE 26 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — Chalk art competition  Live Music Lineup: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Live DJ Mark Manuel, Alt 104.5/Kiss FM 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Chrash 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. — The Textures 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. – Doug Brundies Big Acoustic Show SUNDAY, JUNE 27  10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Chalk art competition  Live Music Lineup: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Mo&Co 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. — QC Rock Academy 3:30 p.m. – AWARDS CEREMONY 4 p.m.... Read More

Looking for some colorful and vibrant artworks to brighten up your life? Quad City Arts is pleased to present the 5th annual Chalk Art Fest, live and in-person June 26-27!  While last year’s event went virtual with artists chalking up their driveways, porches and sidewalks, we are thrilled to host this year’s event in the beautiful setting of Schwiebert Riverfront Park, in downtown Rock Island, directly across the street from Quad City Arts headquarters and gallery. Inspiring and engaging for people of all ages, this free, two-day street painting festival brings together hundreds of local... Read More

For a blissful few hours on a sun-kissed Tuesday in downtown Davenport, there was finally no coronavirus, no social distancing, no masks, no worries. There was a heavenly sense of normalcy outside River Music Experience at 2nd and Main streets, as the Quad Cities Cultural Trust (QCCT) presented a free four-hour festival – “Paint the Town” – as it celebrated exceeding its ambitious fundraising goal with its six funded partners. Representatives from those invaluable nonprofit groups – RME, Quad City Botanical Center, Quad City Symphony Orchestra, the Figge Art Museum, Putnam Museum &... Read More

Tim Schiffer, former executive director of the Figge Art Museum (2012-2019), will show 15 of his new paintings at Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy, 2967 State St., Bettendorf. The exhibit – “Paintings Within Paintings” – will be on display May 28th through July 28th. An opening reception with the artist (who recently moved to Tucson, Ariz.) will be held Friday, June 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. “Tim Schiffer has been a moving force in the arts here in our area,” says Pat Bereskin, gallery owner, artist and art teacher. “As past director of the Figge, during his tenure, he made great... Read More

Moline-based Living Proof Exhibit hosts Creative Sessions each month with a variety of community partners at various locations in the region and has one coming up in Muscatine, for the first time in a long time. To date, Living Proof Exhibit has provided free Creative Sessions to more than 2,400 participants in the Quad-Cities and Muscatine. The art sessions are free of charge and open to anyone impacted by cancer of any artistic skill level. Two upcoming sessions are: Acrylic Painting, with instructor Gina Kirschbaum, Tuesday, June 8, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Quad City Botanical Center, 2525 4th,... Read More

The Rock Island Artists’ Market has announced it will be hosting two events for the 2021 season. Join local artists, makers, and growers on Sunday, June 27th and August 29th from 12 to 5 pm in the parking lot of Skeleton Key Art and Antiques, 520 18th Street, Rock Island, IL. This outdoor event is free to the public, and family friendly. Applications are now being accepted for vendors. Interested artists can find more information and the application form under the “Rock Island Artists’ Market” tab on Skeleton Key’s website, www.skeletonkeyqc.com, or in person during regular store hours.... 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

Artists in Conversation is a weekly column running Wednesdays on QuadCities.com. It features a conversation with a local creator going into their artistic process, projects and more. Get to know your local arts scene and local creators better on QuadCities.com with Artists In Conversation! If you’re a local creator and would like to be featured, please email us at Sean@QuadCities.com or Tristan@QuadCities.com! THIS WEEK: Tristan Tapscott and Savannah Bay Strandin, talking about The Mockingbird on Main. The Mockingbird on Main burst onto the scene earlier this month with NEW BEGINNINGS,  a... Read More