We have big plans to establish an arts center in Geneva by acquiring/renting a space in downtown Geneva. As stated in our Business Plan, we intend to start out with enough space to host small events, workshops, classes, and demonstrations. It will be called the Geneva Center for the Arts. We hope you consider joining GFA/GCA to help make a place for the arts in Geneva. Membership information will be published in the near future.
The Greater Geneva Art Guild is now under the wing of the Geneva Foundation for the Arts. When things get back to normal and we can safely gather, we’ll be ready. We plan to continue our tradition of bringing local artists together to learn, to encourage, to exhibit, and to socialize. Beginning this summer, likely June 2021, we’ll be offering memberships with a modest fee, which will help offset the expense of administration and overhead. Event fees will be additional.
Here are some of the activities and events we’re planning…
Art Under Glass (tentatively planned for March or April) – Local artists will be displaying their work in downtown Geneva storefronts. A list of locations will be provided.
Fox River Art Ramble: planned to be on June 5 & 6, 2021. The event is hosted by the Fox River Arts group and includes more than 40 participating artists and art groups. This self-guided tour will take people through the Fox River Valley on a journey of the arts. Local artists will be showcasing their work which will be for sale as well. The event is free and will feature water colors, oils, acrylics, stained glass, ink, colored pencil and jewelry in all styles. Artists will be doing demonstrations and along with live music. Light refreshments will be served and a few other surprises will be on tap for the day.
Monthly meetings, demonstrations, workshops, and classes at the Geneva Center for the Arts (to be announced – more to come).
Writing Contest – Geneva’s Cultural Arts Commission is encouraging people to write stories and submit one for a chance to win a Chamber of Commerce gift certificate. This contest is open to adults as well as students in middle school and high school. The contest theme is “Geneva in the year 2020 or 2021.” It can be family-friendly fiction or nonfiction with a maximum of 1,200 words.
Writers can submit entries through 5 p.m. Monday, March 1, on the city website or mail a typed hard copy to: City of Geneva, Cultural Arts Commission, 22 S. First St., Geneva, IL 60134. The Cultural Arts Commission will review submissions, and a panel of local literary experts will choose the winners in late April. The contest is limited to the first 150 entries.
The winning stories in each age category will be published on the city’s website and through social media. Send questions to Cate Tracy at culturalarts@geneva.il.us.
