FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Beloit, Wisconsin – Beloit Art Center to feature area high schools in April.
 
The Beloit Art Center is pleased to present the 16th Annual High Schools Art Exhibit.  A First Friday Gallery Reception will be held on April 4th from 5 – 7 p.m.   Students, parents, teachers, and administrators, as well as the public are encouraged to attend to see the collective talent of the young artists in Beloit.  Participating schools are Beloit Turner, Beloit Memorial, Rock County Christian, and The Lincoln Academy.  The exhibit highlights artwork ranging from painting, digital art, mixed media, pottery, sculpture, and stained glass.  Several pieces will be selected to represent Beloit in the Association of Wisconsin Artists (AWA) Statewide Teen WRAP program. The work chosen will be exhibited and published at the Pyle Center on the UW Madison campus this August. Thank you to our April show sponsor, Corporate Contractors Inc. (CCI), for their generous support of this exhibit and the youth in Beloit. The exhibit will be open through April 24th.

            Looking for more art in the community? Be sure to stop by the Beloit Public Library to view featured art by Cindy Vondran, and Bagels & More to view featured art by Marek Kossiba. Member Artists Pierre Charles and Colleen Roberts will have their works displayed at the Beloit Art Center.

            Calling all past Beloit Art Center (and BFAI) artists! 2025 marks a milestone - our 25th anniversary - and we’re celebrating in a big way! As part of this special year, we are hosting a Juried Anniversary Exhibition to showcase the incredible artists who have been part of the journey. Exhibition dates are June 6 through July 24. The opening reception will be June 6, 2025. The entry fee for up to two pieces is $25. The deadline for submissions has been extended through April 7, 2025. Artists selected for this exhibit can also opt in for an Encore Exhibit at our sister center, Blue Moon Gallery in Grayslake, IL, in August.

The Beloit Art Center will also be offering several classes and workshops in April.
 
Beginner Throwing on the Potter’s Wheel six week class Tuesdays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. April 15th to May 20th. Students new to wheel throwing or wanting to brush up on their skills will begin to explore the world of throwing on the potter’s wheel in this introductory class. Starting with cups and goblets, students will also develop the skills to throw during this class. The cost is $140 and glaze and clay will be provided. Students will need to provide their own tools, apron, and hand towel. Class size is limited to six students ages 17 and older.

Hand Building Pottery Class six week class Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. April 17th to May 22nd. Students will explore the world of handbuilding with clay by examining fundamental techniques including pinch, coil, and slab. Students will learn glazing methods needed to finish their unique pots. All skill levels are welcome. The cost is $165 and clay and glaze will be provided. Students will need to provide their own tools, apron, and hand towel. Class size is limited to eight students ages 17 and older.

Qigong for Fall Prevention in the Art Gallery on Mondays and Wednesday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. starting on May 5th. Taught by certified instructor Nancy Mayhew, Qigong improves muscle tone, flexibility and balance. The cost is $50 for a 6-visit punch card or $10 per drop-in.
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Gallery hours are Monday from 10am - 2pm; Tuesday - Friday from 10am - 5pm and Saturday from 10am - 2pm.  The gallery is free and open to the public. For more information about Beloit Art Center visit: www.beloitartcenter.com

 
​78 pieces of art will be exhibited during the month of March at the Beloit Art Center's 14th annual
juried photography contest. On Friday, March 7, the Center will host a First Friday Gallery Reception from
5-7pm, with an awards ceremony beginning at 6pm. This month’s exhibit is sponsored by
Nowlan Personal Injury Law.

Amateur photographers from the region submitted images to be reviewed by a group of three jurors.
Each individual reviews the digital entries and gives them a score based on composition, creativity and
subject matter, and technical merit. The three scores are then tallied, determining the images that are
accepted into the exhibit. The final in-person juror critique occurs after the images are delivered to the
gallery. The results are kept under wraps until the night of the reception, at which time the top ten awards are
presented, with the first-place award winner receiving $150, second place $100 and third place $50. A theme
for next year’s exhibit will also be announced. The exhibit will be open for viewing from
March 7 through March 27.

Looking for more art in the community? Be sure to stop by the Beloit Public Library to view
featured art by Joanna Kutter, Bagels and More to view featured art by Danny Burks, and Beloit Art Center
Members Gallery to view featured art by Colleen Roberts, Pierre Charles, and Pam Pier.

Calling all past Beloit Art Center (and BFAI) artists! 2025 marks a milestone - our 25th anniversary
- and we’re celebrating in a big way! As part of this special year, we are hosting a Juried Anniversary
Exhibition to showcase the incredible artists who have been part of the journey. Exhibition dates are June 6 
​through July 24. The opening reception will be June 6, 2025. The entry fee for up to two pieces is $25 and
submissions are due by March 31, 2025. Artists selected for this exhibit can also opt in for an Encore Exhibit
at our sister center, Blue Moon Gallery in Grayslake, IL, in August.

Discover the Joy of Watercolor Journaling in Nature and Travel with Lynette Redner on March 13
and March 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. Redner will guide participants on how to capture experiences and
surroundings in fun, creative ways. You will learn watercolor and ink techniques, tips for drawing and
documenting your experiences, and inspiration from Redner’s personal travel journals. Please visit
beloitartcenter.com for a full list of needed supplies. The cost of this course is $50.

Free Chip Carving Demo with Bud Cunningham on Saturday March 15 at 11 a.m. Get a close look
into the world of chip carving with Cunningham, a local artist who has mastered the craft. Explore his tools,
see his process, and join a Q and A.

Beginner Crochet with Sydney Rae, Mondays March 17, 24, and 31 from 6 to 8 p.m. Join Rae for a
three-part crochet series to build your skills step by step. Sessions include Foundations and Floral Project,
Reading Patterns and Granny Squares, and Advanced Techniques - Cable Stitching. The cost of this class is
$130 and includes all supplies.

Intro to Digital Photography four week class Mondays from March 24, April 21, May 19, and June
16 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This course is for people who have any type of digital camera and want to go
beyond using automatic settings. Participants will learn how to control shutter speed, aperture, and ISO,
understand how the camera measures light in a scene, and explore different focusing techniques to achieve
optimal results. The cost for this class is $80.

Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Ave. and is free and open to the public. Gallery and gift
shop hours are Monday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. For
more information visit www.beloitartcenter.com.

Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce the February exhibits which will open with a First Friday
Gallery Reception on February 7 from 5-7pm. A gallery talk featuring the artists will be held at 6 pm. Both
exhibits will be open through February 27.
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In the Sveum Gallery, the artwork of Kathy Piccione will be on display. Born in Beloit, Kathy’s
early passion for realism was inspired by artists like James Barma and John Waterhouse. A self-taught artist,
she began with black and white mediums before moving into colors with acrylics and oils. She expanded her
work to include faux finishing, murals, interior design, and iron furniture. “My work centers on Native
American culture, wildlife, and my Chippewa ancestry.” Thank you to LifeCirle for sponsoring the Sveum
Gallery artist.

In the Bell Gallery, the artwork of local artist Katura Bell will be on display. Bell, a mixed medium
artist, explores many different materials and concepts. “Art was my favorite subject in school along with
science, so you will see a lot of nature and life force ideologies throughout my work.” Thank you to 5BAR
for sponsoring the Sveum Gallery artist.

Looking for more art in the area? Be sure to stop by the Beloit Public Library to view artwork by
Joanna Kutter, Bagels and More to view artwork by Danny Burks, and the Beloit Art Center Members
Gallery to view artwork by Pierre Charles, Pam Pier, and Colleen Roberts.

Looking for art classes? Discover the joy of creative journaling with watercolor! In this class,
Lynette Redner will guide you on how to capture your experiences and surroundings in a fun, creative way.
Students will learn watercolor and ink techniques, and tips for drawing, sketchbook drawing, painting,
writing, and collaging. Class will be held on Thursday, March 13 and 20 from 10 a.m. to noon. The cost to participate is $50 and students will need to provide their own materials.

Are you just getting started with digital photography? Or are you frustrated with your experience
with your digital camera? The Introduction to Digital Photography course is for people who have any type of
digital camera and want to go beyond using automatic settings. Participants will learn how to control shutter
speed, aperture, and ISO, understand how the camera measures light in a scene, and explore different
focusing techniques. This class will be held on Mondays, February 24, March 24, April 21, and May 19. The
cost to participate is $80 and students will need to bring their own camera and camera manual.

The Beloit Art Center Photography Club meets the 4th Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. to
discuss photography topics and techniques. The annual cost to participate is $85 or $10 to drop in. The BAC
Open Studio Group meets every Thursday at 5:30 to work on projects and talk art. A studio leader is
available to help with tips and techniques. The drop in cost is $7 and all mediums and skill levels are
welcome.

Check out beloitartcenter.com to watch for details about our upcoming pottery classes scheduled to
start at the week of February 24. Information and registration for all the classes is available at
www.beloitartcenter.com/classes.

Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Ave. in downtown Beloit. The gallery is free and open
to the public. Gallery and gift shop hours are Monday 10 am – 2 pm, Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm and
Saturday 10 am – 2 pm.

        Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce the January exhibits which will open with a First Friday Gallery Reception on January 3rd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A gallery talk featuring the artists will be held at 6:00 p.m. Exhibits will be open through January 30th. Both the winner and the People’s Choice award for the 2025 mural project will also be announced at the First Friday reception.

      In the Sveum Gallery, we welcome artists Alice Blue and Connie Fry. Alice Blue’s paintings often show her love of water and its movements; its many moods and reflections. She paints plein air when the weather permits as well as in her studio. Many of her paintings reflect a connection to the destinations she
has traveled to around the world. Her preferred mediums are acrylic and oil using a palette knife and/or brushes. As an artist, Connie Fry is inspired by the natural beauty in the world around her. She enjoys painting landscapes but animals are her passion. Her favorite mediums are acrylic, oil and pastel. When painting she strives to capture the emotions and spiritual connection to the subject. Her landscapes bring a sense of peace to the viewer. Thank you to Christofferson Moving and Storage for sponsoring the Sveum Gallery artists.

      In the Bell Gallery, we welcome Leslie Crowhurst. A graduate of Northern Illinois Fine Art Department, Crowhurst’s artwork features the magnificent shapes and splendid colors of glorious flowers. “My camera has captured endless photographs of flowers where some manifest from the camera to canvas. Beautiful floral colors spill onto my palette with great anticipation.” Thank you to Christofferson Moving and Storage for sponsoring the Bell Gallery artist.

      Looking for more art in the community? Be sure to stop by the Beloit Public Library to view art by Joanne Kutter and Bagels and More to view art by Danny Burks. Both displays will be available through the
end of March. The last chance to view art by Billy Bishop in the Beloit Art Center Members Gallery is January 7th and new artists will be featured starting in February.

       Coffee 101: Seed to Cup Course is the perfect way to stay warm on a snowy January morning.  Discover the world of coffee presented for FREE by Snowdrift Coffee Roasters, located in Roscoe, Illinois.  Learn about coffee’s journey from farm to cup, including growing, roasting, and brewing techniques. Experience a slideshow, taste freshly roasted brewed coffee, and get answers to your questions during the open Q and A. This class will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 18th.

     Beyond Paint and Sip is the perfect class for those looking to expand their acrylic painting skills beyond basic paint-and-sip classes. Learn key techniques like proportion, perspective, shading, and more to create unique meaningful artwork. Students will need to supply their own brushes, palette paper, paint, and
towels or paper towels. This four week class will be held Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. from January 21st through February 25th. The cost to participate is $125.

      Call for Photographers: The 14th Annual Juried Photography Exhibition will be held March 7th through the 27th. Submit your best photographs in any style or subject matter. There are no theme restrictions. Submissions are due by 2:00 p.m. on January 26th and the entry fee is $35 for BAC members
and $40 for non-members.

     The Beloit Art Center Photography Club meets the 4th Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. to discuss photography topics and techniques. The annual cost to participate is $85 or $10 to drop in.

      Beloit Art Center was recently awarded an Ecolab Foundation Grant in the amount of $1800. Funding from the grant will be used for Summer Art Education for Young People in 2025. Beloit Art Center is grateful for Ecolab’s support of the arts. Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Ave. in downtown Beloit. The gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery and gift shop hours are Monday 10 am – 2 pm, Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm and Saturday 10 am – 2 pm.

Beloit Art Center announces December Gallery Exhibits 

               Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce the December exhibits which will open with a First Friday Gallery Reception on Friday December 6 from 5-9 p.m. (extended hours for Holidazzle!)  A gallery talk featuring the artists will be held at 6 pm.  Both exhibits will be open through December 26, 2024.
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            In the Sveum Gallery, artwork by Barb Matthews will be featured. Matthews’ art is a celebration of color, rich and vibrant, glorious pigments.  I feel a need to constantly invent and search for new ways to see the world around me.   Composition, shape, value, color, and her own passion for a subject leads Matthews through the painting process.” My art journey has led me to so many wonderful destinations and introduced me to great and inspiring artists. My art is a never-ending journey that gives my life so much joy!” 

              In the Bell Gallery, artwork by David Ruhe will be featured. With a style described as “realism with a magical touch, Ruhe loves to capture wildlife in intimate, poetic moments usually unseen by human eyes. His landscapes are designed to transport the viewer to another world, inviting them to explore the story within their surroundings.   I love to capture wildlife in intimate, poetic moments usually unseen by human eyes. My landscapes are designed to transport the viewer to another world, inviting them to explore the story within their surroundings. “ Fine art is more than just a painting on the wall…There is a story behind every image, and behind the story lies an even larger tale of the artist.” 

            Thank you to the Hendricks Family Foundation and the Green Bay Packers Foundation for their generous donations to the Beloit Art Center. Your grants will help us make important improvements to our building, ensuring a better space for creativity, community events, and future growth. We are deeply grateful for your support!

        Looking for more art in the community? Be sure to visit the Beloit Public Library to view featured art by Woody Olsen,,and Bagels and More to view featured art by Mariclare Sheil. Both artists will have their artwork displayed through the end of December. Mural project artists will also have their submissions displayed in the Members Gallery at the Beloit Art Center through the end of February, 2025.

         A Holiday Ceramic Gnome class will be held Wednesday, December 11, from 10 a.m. to noon. Students will make their sculptural pot by hand and paint them with colorful underglazes in class. After the pots dry, the instructor will fire and clear glaze the students’ work. Finished work will be available to participants before Christmas. The cost is $45. Please visit beloitartcenter.com to register. 
Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Ave. in downtown Beloit.  The gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery and gift shop hours are Monday 10 am – 2 pm, Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm and Saturday 10 am – 2 pm. 

Beloit Art Center is pleased to announce the November exhibits which will open with a First Friday Gallery Reception on November 1st from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m..  A gallery talk featuring the artists will be held at 6:00 p.m..  Both exhibits will be open through November 28th. 

In the Sveum Gallery, the Wisconsin Visual Arts group will have artwork on display. Wisconsin Visual Artists began in the year 1900 as the first professional association of artists in Wisconsin, and has continued for 124 years as an educational, supportive, and connective force for artists within the state. WVA offers a community and a support system to artists at any stage in their career. Because the organization is run by artists for artists, they are dedicated to the well- being and fair treatment of Wisconsin artists through the forging of creative partnerships, exhibition opportunities, monthly meetings, publications, programming, arts advocacy, and more. The South Central Chapter of WVA covers a broad portion of Wisconsin, from the Madison area, east to Watertown, south to Beloit, west to the Mississippi River and as far north as Eau Claire.

In the Bell Gallery, Connie Gardiner’s artwork will be on display. A self taught artist, Gardiner points to her first show at Beloit Art Center in 2022 as the start of her growth and introduction to the art world. Her new collection of work understands color depth and dimensions of light and shadow by capturing what you don't see and focusing on what you do see. Recently retired, she looks forward to learning new techniques and developing her teaching, to bring the joy of being an artist to everyone.

Looking for more art in the community? Be sure to stop by the Beloit Public Library to view featured art by Woody Olsen, and Bagels and More to view featured art by Mariclare Sheil. Select member artists will also have their works displayed in the Members Gallery at the Beloit Art Center.

A Resin Christmas Tree Workshop with Brenda Thompson will be held on Saturday November 9th at 11:00 a.m. Join Brenda as she takes you step-by-step through the process of creating your own unique Christmas tree on canvas using rushed glass and resin. The cost is $55 and all materials and embellishments are included. Please note that due to curing time, projects will need to be picked up the following week.

Looking to connect with other area artists? The Open Studio Art Group meets weekly on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. to work on projects and talk art. A studio leader is available to help with tips and techniques. All mediums and skill levels are welcome.  Drop-in enrollment is $7 per session.

The Beloit Art Center Photography Club meets the second Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. to discuss photography topics and techniques. The club is for enthusiasts of all skill levels. Drop-in enrollment is $10 per session or $85 for an annual membership.

Congratulations to the 2024 WRAP (Wisconsin Regional Artists Program) Winners:  Kimberly Muller, Cora Hutchison, Tom Gage, Pam Veitenheimer, Tom Lieder, Barbara Mathews, Sue Herring, Norm Starks, Darcy Holmes, Katura Bell, Paul Lesch.

Beloit Art Center is located at 520 E. Grand Ave. in downtown Beloit.  The gallery is free and open to the public. Gallery and gift shop hours are Monday 10 am – 2 pm, Tuesday – Friday 10 am – 5 pm and Saturday 10 am – 2 pm.