Locality Biennial Opens July 5

Artspace 304 presents Locality Biennial exhibition on view July 5 – August 11. In celebration of the rich and diverse talent in Southern Illinois, Locality aims to highlight our region’s artists and craftspeople. The exhibition will showcase artwork with diversity and uniqueness in style, technique, and concepts. Join us for the reception Friday, July 7 from 5 – 7 pm.

We have 48 artists from the region participating, including: Alma Petry, Andi Bloom, Andrew Beyke, Antonio Martinez, Cate Roberts, Carolyn Ferdinand, Deborah Brees, Eldon Benz, Emily Yates, Eyde Arndell, Fern Logan, Haleigh Givens, Harris Deller, Heather M. O’Brien-Takahashi, Janet G Bixler, Joe Allen, Jodi Ruffner, John O’Connell, Jonathan Krimsier, Joshua Emery, Kait Steward, Karen Fiorino, Katherine Suopys, Kay M. Pick Zivkovich, Kayleigh Doyle, Kim Noffke, Kristin Jones, Lisa Lennox, Lisa Tolnai, Madeline Steimle, Marcus Renninger, Marcuss Hall, Marta Ketter, Marty Merrill, Meagan Majors, Nate Kisat, Nathan Grant Bernacet, Nikolas Szczepanik, Rachel Malcolm Ensor, Robert A Ketchens, Suzanne Asaturian, Sydney Cook, Timothy Thomas, Travis Janssen, Tyler Horn, Val Fry, William Underwood, Zac Nelson

Also on view during the Locality Biennial is the showcase of Our World, Many Lenses, a middle school after-school art program. Sponsored by the Foreground Rural Initiative grant from Illinois Humanities Council, Our World, Many Lenses emphasizes self-expression, storytelling, and embracing diverse perspectives through narrative drawing and painting activities.

Three groups participated: Coben Middle School (displayed in March at Artspace 304), the Boys & Girls' Club of Carbondale Middle School, and the Anna Arts Center of the Shawnee Hills Art Council. This exhibition showcases the work from the Boys & Girls' Club plus the Anna Arts Center.

Exhibition Closing Soon at The Corridor Gallery

Long-time local artist, Nila Tanner's exhibition Impressions of Southern Illinois is on view now at The Corridor Gallery. The last day to view the exhibition is Friday, July 14. The Corridor Gallery is located in the Carbondale Civic Center.  

A Stage Adaptation by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie. Music by Tom Snow. Lyrics by Dean Pitchford. Based on the Original Screenplay by Dean Pitchford. Additional Music by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman.

The All Southern High School Theater Project presents Footloose, co-produced by Artspace 304 and SIUC's McLeod Summer Playhouse.

Tickets are available now for shows at McLeod Theater August 3-6. Thursday, Friday and Saturday showtime is 7:30 pm, and Sunday's matinee is at 2 pm. Last year's performances of Grease were near sell-outs. Reserve your seats soon! 

To the rockin’ rhythm of its Oscar and Tony-nominated Top 40 score, and with dynamic new songs, Footloose celebrates the wisdom of listening to young people while guiding them with a warm heart and open mind. Appropriate for the whole family, the heartfelt story that emerges pits a father longing for the son he lost against a young man aching for the father who walked out on him.

ASHSTP has been an Artspace 304 project for almost 30 years. It is funded by Illinois Arts Council Agency, National Endowment for the Arts, The Neil and Mary Ellen Dillard Fund, Garwin Family Foundation, StraightUp Solar, and the generous donors to our first annual Rising Star campaign. 

Eurma Hayes Mural

Artspace 304 proudly announces the completion of the first mural of the summer, funded through Welcome, Carbondale! Mural artist Maddie Dieters has completed the mural at the Eurma Hayes Center on W Willow St – a stunning portrait and homage to the founder.

Maddie Dieters (Marion, IL) has completed numerous murals in the Southern Illinois area. She creates public art in hopes of empowering people to appreciate and participate in creating art.

Welcome, Carbondale! is an initiative of the Southern Illinois Mural Project (SIMP), an Artspace 304 program, in collaboration with the City of Carbondale, SIUC, local businesses, and private donors.

SAF 2023 Mural 

This mural titled Black Female Leaders - A Painted History honors the accomplishments of African American female leaders. Funded by the Southern Arts Fund, the mural is located on the exterior wall of the African American Museum in Mounds, IL and was completed by artist Robert A. Ketchens, of O'Fallon, IL. There is a mural unveiling July 29 at 10 am at the Mounds African American Museum located at 216 Front Street, Mounds, IL  62964.