Events & Exhibitions Calendar
Take in the arts in Southern Illinois
Exhibitions, performances, creative activities, workshops, creative talks, artist opportunities, and more.
We work to give everyone the opportunity to discover and enjoy the arts, right here in our communities. All Artspace Southern Illinois events and exhibits are FREE and open to the public. PLEASE NOTE: we host events in partnership with outside organizations and individuals or on their behalf—these events and exhibits may have a fee; please see events below for details.
Your support helps us continue to offer free events and supports local artists in continuing their work. Ways to Support Our Work >
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Exhibition | The Heroic Self
Experience an exploration of an interplay between order and chaos, discovering meaning that is not fixed but revealed as the hidden gradually comes into view, and an interpretation of The Heroic Self from three unique artists. A mixed-media show using steel, glass, wax, and oil on canvas.
A Visual Exploration | Featuring Three Female Artists
This collection at our 304 Cultural Arts Center is an exploration of varied themes through unique and fascinating use of structure, texture, and materials.
Featured Artists
Cybil Johnson
Southern Illinois artist Cybil Johnson works in welded steel, building her sculptures from repeated triangular units through steady, hands‑on construction. Cutting, welding, and assembling each section allows the forms to grow naturally, giving the work its structure and character. She sees her sculptures as a meeting point between order and disruption. Patterns form through repetition, while angled connections and open spaces introduce movement and unpredictability.
When you view her work, it draws you into the details—the rhythm of the triangles, the tension in the lines, and the way the steel opens and closes from different angles. The sculptures invite you to notice how structure and change can exist together in both the material and your own experience.
NC Qin
NC Qin, from Sydney, Australia, works in cast glass. Unlike blown or lamp-worked glass, forms of glass work that many are more familiar with, cast glass is slow, demanding, and deeply hands‑on, involving long cycles of molding, firing, cooling, and finishing. Qin uses this process to create pieces that hold depth, color, and quiet detail within the glass itself. She believes cast glass offers a different way of looking. Light moves through the material in layers, revealing textures and shifts that aren’t visible at first glance.
Visitors will have the chance to see this unique form of sculpture up close, including both intimate small‑scale pieces and larger sculptural works—each one shaped through patience, precision, and a deep connection to the material. It’s a rare opportunity to experience a style of sculpture not often seen, and one that rewards close, thoughtful viewing.
Brooke Yandle
Southern Illinois artist Brooke Yandle begins her painting process by writing in her journal, sketching out ideas, emotions, and fictional characters inspired by everyday life, films, and anime. These characters become symbols—stand‑ins for feelings like freedom, escape, or tension—guiding the mood and direction of each piece. Working in oil paint, she builds her images slowly, layering color and expression until the figures feel alive on the canvas. Her background in design shapes the way she composes each scene, focusing on storytelling and emotional clarity.
This exhibition is a chance to see a unique blend of personal mythology and contemporary influences, with both intimate small works and larger pieces that pull you into the world she creates. It’s an inviting, expressive style of figurative painting that rewards close looking and offers something different from what visitors may be used to seeing.
Reception
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois—304 Cultural Arts Center
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: Noon - 2:00 pm
Refreshments provided
Exhibition | Bring May Flowers—Shannon S. Green Southern Illinois Artist
An exuberant celebration of Spring, this exhibition is inspired by the region’s flora and the beauty found in the artist personal garden. It brings together an interplay of bold, bursting color and thoughtful, contemplative beauty—inviting viewers to experience both the energy and the stillness found in nature.
Featuring Intimate Studies to Statement Pieces
This collection at our On the Strip Gallery and Shop features more than 30 acrylic floral paintings, ranging from intimate 10” x 10” studies to bold 48” x 48” statement pieces.
Noticing the Details
A Southern Illinois artist, Green's work is influenced by her many experiences, both as an artist and in various roles, including as an early childhood educator, advocate, and systems consultant. Throughout her career, she has created art within her community—alongside young children and families. With a wide-ranging creative practice, she has worked in acrylics, fiber, collage, ink, watercolor, and even puppetry.
Having lived in Southern Illinois for more than 25 years, she has nurtured a deep appreciation for the natural world and the region's beauty. She began painting flowers while practicing observational drawing techniques and studying the lines, shapes, and colors of nature, while working with children as an early childhood educator.
Her artwork is a way to share how she experiences the world—hoping to inspire others to approach their surroundings with a childlike sense of love, curiosity, and creativity—one where small details of the natural world come forward and ask to be noticed.
Exhibition On View
April 24 - May 30
Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip
Reception
Friday, May 1
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Refreshments at our Coffee & Tea bar
Artspace Southern Illinois — Humanities Community Sessions | Opportunities to Engage with Creativity, Culture, and Ideas—Exploring What It Is to Be Human
Our Humanities Community Sessions bring meaningful experiences to people throughout our region, creating opportunities to engage with creativity, culture, ideas, and more as we explore what it is to be human.
Join us for creative programs, informative presentations, and interactive activities.
All events are FREE and open to the public — no registration required
Building community through shared experiences
Learning and exploring across cultures and ideas
Connecting through conversation and time together
Getting creative and trying new things
Events List
Smartphone Photography & Videography Skills Workshop — Artists & Small Business
May 30, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois — 304 Cultural Arts Center, 304 W. Walnut St., Carbondale, IL
The Influence of Migration and the Question of Slavery on the Formation of the State of Illinois
June 6, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Shawnee Hills Arts Council, 125 W Davie St., Anna, IL
Inside Baseball – Southern Illinois’ Connection to the Legacy of the National Negro Baseball League | Honoring Juneteenth
June 13, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois — 304 Cultural Arts Center, 304 W. Walnut St., Carbondale, IL
Stories of African American Resilience Under the Illinois Black Codes | Featuring Dr. Caroline Kisiel, Associate Professor at DePaul University and Illinois Humanities Road Scholar
Details to come
June 27, 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: Marion Carnegie Library, 206 S. Market St., Marion, IL
The 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence — How We Remember
Aug 1, 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Herrin City Library, 120 N. 13th St., Herrin, IL
How Southern Illinois Is Becoming a News Desert and Why It Matters
Aug 15, 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois — On the Strip, 607 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL
Call for Auditions Musical Theater Immersive | Southern Illinois Theater Program—ASHSTP™
Unlock Your Potential with an Exciting Musical Theater Experience—In an Encouraging Environment
Led by Professional Theater Veterans: Matt Williams & Derek Hamblin
Submit Your Audition Video Today, Deadline Friday, June 12—See Form and Instructions Below
Artspace Southern Illinois is pleased to invite students to this immersive program and to provide funding support, bringing professional-level opportunities—tuition-free—to students in Southern Illinois—a program celebrating 30+ years. Learn more about our Student Theater Project ASHSTP™.
What Sets This Immersive Apart
Providing professional-level staging and performance training
Learn from accomplished Broadway and theater instructors and mentors
Components cover various aspects of musical theater
Gain valuable new connections and development
Program Highlights
Tuition Free
We are pleased to offer this immersive program to students tuition-free, removing financial barriers
Performance Finale
Each of the training sessions leads to a final production audience performance on the final day (Friday) at 12:30 pm at John A. Logan College, O’Neil Auditorium
What You Will Learn
Dance Component
Focuses on beginning to intermediate level musical theatre jazz technique and vocabulary, plus phrases for the final presentation
Singing Component
Focuses on proper vocal performance preparation, training, musical theatre choral techniques, and music rehearsal for the final showcase
Staging Component
Fuses movement, vocals, acting, and storytelling techniques together. The inclusion of rehearsal scenery and props completes the professional presentation experience
Two Sessions—Middle School and High School
Middle School Session: Outgoing 6 to 8 Graders—New this year
July 6 - 10
Monday - Thursday - 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Friday - 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
High School Session: Outgoing 9 to 12 Graders—Recent Graduates Welcome - Last Chance to Attend!
July 13 - 17
Monday - Thursday, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location
John A. Logan College, O’Neil Auditorium
Led By:
Program Director/Choreographer/Coordinator: Matt Williams
A Broadway veteran, Matt has led this program for several years and brings extensive theater experience. He is an SIU Theater Professor. Matt’s experience includes choreographing Will Ferrell’s Broadway debut, You’re Welcome America, at the Cort Theater. His Off-Broadway credits include Rooms, A Rock Romance, and the 2012 revival of Carrie, the musical. Matt was the assistant director to Casey Nicholaw on the Broadway production All About Me and was also the Movement Director for Stephen Schwartz’s opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon at Lincoln Center. For fourteen seasons, he was the resident choreographer and act-builder for the internationally acclaimed Circus Smirkus as well as the "Big" Piano Dance choreographer for eight years at FAO Schwarz in NYC. Matt’s SIU directing and choreographing credits include Lucky Stiff, Mousetrap, She Loves Me, Urinetown, and Anything Goes. Matt is thankful to God for the blessing of serving on the SIU faculty since 2021.
Program Conductor: Derek Hamblin
A theater and music veteran, Derek received his B.A in Vocal Performance (Berea College, KY) and completed his studies for M.M in Music Theatre & Opera Performance at SIU. Aside from directing and music directing throughout Southern Illinois, Derek teaches voice and music theatre in his private studio. He directed Skyline Creek’s Production of The Sound Of Music and is working to bring Disney’s Frozen to Southern Illinois. Derek has studied and performed internationally including as a soloist, in choral and operatic works, and instrumental arrangement for small orchestral ensembles in Salzburg, Austria. He has also performed throughout Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and Italy. Derek’s experience includes working in regional professional theaters such as McLeod Summer Playhouse, Jenny Wiley Theatre, and at the Lincoln Amphitheatre as an Actor, Musician, Director, Conductor, and Casting Associate at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC). His Southern Illinois regional credits include: Jenny Wiley Theatre (Guys & Dolls, Joseph...Dreamcoat, Charlie Brown, Fiddler on the Roof, Lincoln Amphitheater - Fiddler on the Roof, South Pacific, McLeod Summer Playhouse - AIDA, All Shook Up, Into the Woods, Hair, Legally Blonde, Anything Goes, Big River, Hairspray. Derek is thrilled to be working with Matt again and the ASHSTP™ Summer Immersive.
Audition Video Submission Process & Requirements
Deadline: Friday, June 12 (form closes at 11:59 pm CT)
Video Link: Upload Your Audition Video to YouTube (or a similar platform) and submit the link (no attachments or video files)
If you are under 13, a parent or guardian must complete this form and provide consent.
Selection
20 students will be accepted for each session—20 for Middle School and 20 for High School
All students who submit an audition video will be notified by June 19, 2026, regarding acceptance status
Singing Audition Video (required)
Share a 30–60 second video of yourself singing a song from a musical (upbeat tune or heartfelt ballad)
Accompaniment is preferred over a cappella
Before recording your song, please introduce yourself on camera and provide the following:
First and Last name
Current school you are attending (recent grads, school you graduated from)
What year did you just complete
Number of musicals you have participated in
Tell us your favorite Broadway song!
Complete the form below - in the EXPERIENCE section, please include
List your experience with theatre, dancing, and musical theatre
OPTIONAL - Dance Audition Video: Have dance experience? We’d love to see it.
Share a 30 - 60 second video of yourself dancing
Does not need to be professional-level choreography
Can be any style of dance
Ready to Submit?
Preferred: Once recorded, share your YouTube video(s) link (or another platform link) in and complete the form below.
If you experience difficulty with form submission, you may email your video link and list of experience directly to: matthew.williams@siu.edu
Notifications
Communication will come from Matt Williams - please watch for his message. Acceptance notification will be sent by June 19, 2026. All individuals will be contacted regarding their acceptance status.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Matt at: matthew.williams@siu.edu
Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program which is made possible by support from generous donors and the following:
Smartphone Photography & Videography Workshop | Humanities Community Sessions
Ready to make your art practice and small business stand out?
Join us for this workshop designed specifically for independent creatives and small businesses — learn from the pros.
What We’ll Explore
Photography Fundamentals: Simple ways to use lighting and composition for better photos
Basic Editing Techniques: Quick, effective ways to improve the quality of your visual content
Opportunity to ask questions and gain tips from the pros
Takeaways
Practical Steps: Realistic methods for better daily content
Expert Guidance: Learn directly from the pros in a collaborative environment
Improved Promo: Level up your social media to better promote your art and/or business
Valuable How-Tos: Start using your new skills right away
Workshop Presented By
Stephanie Susie and Sean Lunt of Main Street Media
We are pleased to welcome Stephanie Susie, a professional portrait and product photographer, and Sean Lunt, a videographer and certified drone pilot, who bring more than 30 years of combined experience in photography, videography, and marketing. As principles at Main Street Media, they offer practical visual branding and marketing guidance to help Southern Illinois artists and small businesses level up their online presence.
This is an incredible opportunity to join a free workshop and learn from these professionals to showcase your work better and grow your business.
Event Details
FREE & Open to the public
Saturday, May 30 — 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Artspace Southern Illinois — 304 Cultural Arts Center, 304 W. Walnut Street, Carbondale
Light refreshments provided
Bring a smartphone to follow along (not needed to participate)
This program is an Illinois Humanities Foreground Rural Hub Program. Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program in partnership with:
The Influence of Migration and the Question of Slavery on the Formation of the State of Illinois | Featuring Mark Motsinger, Saline County Historical Society President & Historical Researcher
Artspace Southern Illinois is pleased to present this program in partnership with Illinois Humanities.
Join us as we welcome Mark Motsinger, President of the Saline County Historical Society, for a session exploring how early migration and the debate over slavery shaped the culture of Illinois. We’ll set the context with Mark’s research on the Old Soldiers Reservation—Southern Illinois land grants awarded to Revolutionary War soldiers—which provides insights on how this wave of newcomers influenced the region's culture and identity. We’ll then examine the “Declaration of Sentiment and Plan of Action” written by the 1856 Colored Convention held in Alton, IL.
Experience a dynamic exploration to learn how these early movements, decisions, and voices shaped the Illinois we know today and gain a deeper understanding of our region and its history.
Presenter
Mark Motsinger, President of Saline County Historical Society, author, and the 2014 State of Illinois History Teacher of the Year
Facilitators
Yaya Vargas, Executive Director SI-CABE (Southern Illinois Culture and Arts in Bilingual Education)
Carolyn Deane, Artspace Southern Illinois
Event Details
FREE & Open to the public
Date: Saturday, June 6
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Light refreshments provided
Location: Shawnee Hills Arts Council
Part of the Illinois Humanities Community Conversations Program
Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program in partnership with:
Inside Baseball - Southern Illinois’ Connection to the Legacy of the National Negro Baseball League—Honoring Juneteenth | Short Film & Panel Discussion
Honoring Juneteenth: A Living History Event
While the official holiday is observed later in the week, we invite you to join us on June 13 in honor and celebration of Juneteenth.
We are pleased to present this session in partnership with Illinois Humanities.
Join us for a presentation and panel discussion, and a tribute to the legacy and impact of the National Negro Baseball League through the lens of a Southern Illinois connection.
Short Film Honoring a Family Legacy - Allen “Memphis” Johnson
We’ll start with a short film by Southern Illinois independent filmmaker Dan Johnson, documenting personal reflections from the family of lifelong Mounds, IL resident Alsandra Lewis, whose father, Allen “Memphis” Johnson, was the owner of a National Negro Baseball League team.
Then, Alsandra Lewis herself will join us in a panel discussion, sharing first-hand reflections, with time for a Q&A.
Get Creative
We’ll conclude with an interactive, family-friendly creative arts project to further honor and celebrate.
Panelists
Alsandra Lewis and Jody Johnson, who helped create Lessons from Baseball (a middle school program for Southern Illinois students)
Additional panelists to come
Event Details
FREE & Open to the public
Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois — 304 Cultural Arts Center, 304 W. Walnut Street, Carbondale
Light refreshments provided
Exhibit Honoring First Black Major League Baseball Coach John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil
This program will take place in conjunction with a traveling exhibit honoring legendary player, scout, and manager, Buck O’Neil, who became Major League Baseball's first Black coach and co-founded the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, taking place at Thrillville (Marion Stadium) in Marion, IL
This session is an Illinois Humanities Foreground Rural Hub Program. Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program in partnership with
Stories of African American Resilience Under the Illinois Black Codes | Featuring Dr. Caroline Kisiel, Associate Professor at DePaul University and Illinois Humanities Road Scholar
We are pleased to present this program in partnership with Illinois Humanities, along with our session co-host, Marion Carnegie Library.
We are honored to welcome Dr. Caroline Kisiel, Associate Professor at DePaul University and Illinois Humanities Road Scholar, with more than two decades of research and writing focused on Illinois history, for this impactful presentation.
Although Illinois entered the Union as a free state in 1818, residents had practiced slavery and indentured servitude since the 1700s, laying the foundation for the Illinois Black Codes, enforced from 1819 to 1865. These were severely restrictive laws that controlled nearly every aspect of life for enslaved people, indentured servants, and free Blacks for nearly 50 years.
Scholar Caroline Kisiel will trace the history and share stories of African Americans whose resilience helped change the course of Illinois history.
Event Details
FREE & Open to the public
Date: Saturday, June 27
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Light refreshments provided
Location: Marion Carnegie Library, 206 S. Market Street, Marion, IL
Part of the Illinois Humanities Community Conversations Program
The program is an Illinois Humanities Road Scholar and Community Conversations Program, and part of the Marion Carnegie Library Summer Reading Program.
Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program in partnership with Illinois Humanities and with Co-host Marion Carnegie Library:
The 250-year Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence – How We Remember | Interactive Program
Join Us for an Interactive Session to Celebrate and Reflect
As we approach the 250th Anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, we’ll take a look at what this document means in our daily lives.
How we choose to honor and remember this living document helps shape whether, and how, our history stays alive and relevant in our everyday lives.
In this session, we’ll look at the different ways Illinoisians have marked the milestones of our Nation’s founding over the past 250 years and what influenced those choices.
Then we’ll look to today: What artifacts, moments, and experiences would you curate to capture who we are and help future Americans understand this important anniversary?
Lead by
Carolyn Deane, Artspace Southern Illinois
Yaya Vargas, Executive Director SI-CABE (Southern Illinois Culture and Arts in Bilingual Education)
Jason Hedrick
Event Details
FREE & Open to the public
Date: Saturday, August 1
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Light refreshments provided
Location: Herrin City Library, 120 N. 13th Street, Herrin, IL
Part of the Illinois Humanities Community Conversations Program
Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program in partnership with:
How Southern Illinois is Becoming a News Desert and Why it Matters | Featuring Julia Rendleman, SIUC Associate Professor & Alee Quick, Director of Community Engagement for News Literacy Project
Featured Photojournalism Exhibit | A Weekend in Murphysboro—Community Storytelling by Saluki Photojournalists
In this session, we’ll highlight an important issue that many are most likely either not aware of or have not fully considered, yet represents the local impact of a changing region and world.
We are pleased to welcome Julia Rendleman, Associate Professor of Photojournalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Alee Quick, Journalist, Faculty Managing Editor of the Daily Egyptian, SIU student newspaper, and Director of Community Engagement for News Literacy Project
This program will examine the state of local journalism in Illinois, with a focus on what’s happening in communities like those in Southern Illinois. We’ll look at the challenges created by dwindling news coverage, as well as recent successes and important reporting specific to the region.
The exhibit “A Weekend in Murphysboro: Community Storytelling by Saluki Photojournalists” will offer a lens on local stories and community life in Southern Illinois.
Together, the program and exhibit invite us to think about what local journalism means, what happens when it fades, and why these stories still matter.
Presenters
Julia Rendleman, Associate Professor of Photojournalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Alee Quick, Journalist, Faculty Managing Editor of the Daily Egyptian, SIU student newspaper, and Director of Community Engagement for News Literacy Project
Event Details
FREE & Open to the public
Date: Saturday, August 15
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Light refreshments provided
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip, 607 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL
This program is an Illinois Humanities Foreground Rural Hub Program. Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program in partnership with:
Arts + Humanities AMAZE Conference
IMPORTANT UPDATE:
Notice of Rescheduling | Due to Unforeseen Circumstances, AMAZE is Being Rescheduled. Please Stay Tuned for Details Coming Soon.
Thank you to everyone for your interest in this year's AMAZE Conference. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have made the decision to postpone the event until later this year. While we’re disappointed to wait, we are already working behind the scenes to make this shift. Stay tuned—more details and a new date will be shared soon. We can’t wait to bring everyone together for a day of networking and celebrating the cultural arts!
If you purchased tickets, you will be contacted directly. For additional questions, please contact Carolyn Deane at connect@artspacesouthernillinois.org
What Makes This Event Special
This regional conference is a chance for creatives, educators, artists, performers, advocates, cultural arts organizations, and anyone who believes in the role of the cultural arts in our communities to come together for a day that celebrates creativity through engaging conversation, hands‑on exploration, practical ideas, and the kind of connection that grows through shared experiences—all with a focus on strengthening our community.
What you can expect
Check out our full schedule of curated sessions and presenters offering a wide variety of timely information and takeaways.
Engaging Sessions and Discussions
Throughout the day, you’ll have a chance to enjoy panel discussions, interactive workshops, and informative presentations—find a space to be curious, network with like-minded others, and gain new insights.
Why join us
Real-world learnings from creative peers and experts
Explore what resiliency looks like, sustaining this work through challenging and shifting conditions
New strategies and idea-sparking networking
A chance to compare notes with other creatives
Exposure to educators and creatives from across the region
Connections that lead to collaborations, shared resources, and future projects
Access to processes and perspectives you may not encounter in your day-to-day.
A space to ask questions, be curious, push ideas, and rethink assumptions
Keynote
Beth Lo—Internationally recognized ceramicist, illustrator, educator, and musician
Hear from a passionate, thoughtful, and expansive creative talent—sharing her insights from a career that crosses mediums, cultures, and creative disciplines. View more about the artist and her work on her website.
“What is art?”
“They don’t know a definition of it. But everybody knows what an aesthetic response is, so if you go out in the mountains and you see something, you have that feeling of being uplifted...a feeling of awe or inspiration, of motivation...I think that art does the same thing, only it's made by humans.”
~ Beth Lo
Watch her video to learn more about Beth Lo, her passions, and her work here.
Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present the 2026 Arts + Humanities AMAZE Conference made possible through the partnership of these amazing organizational collaborators!
Exploring the Declaration of Independence | Legacy & Applications for Today
Exploration, Conversation, & Interactive Program
Join us for a Conversation and Program that is more than a history lesson—it is a community celebration of our democracy.
This interactive event brings people together to honor the legacy of the Declaration of Independence—not just a historic document, but a living ideology that shapes our lives today.
Core Themes—What to Expect
The Path to Independence
We’ll review the actual words of this document and explore the specific events and motivations that led the colonists to seek a formal separation from Great Britain.
We’ll consider the key concepts within the Declaration of Independence, including the assertion of unalienable rights: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
We’ll look at how the Declaration’s promises served as the ideological blueprint for the legal protections later enforced by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The Living Legacy—How it Applies to Our Lives Today
Interactive Exploration and Conversation—Your Voice Matters
We’ll have an open conversation shaped by those who participate. This is an opportunity to build community and discuss the values at the heart of our nation.
We’ll explore how the Declaration functions as a living document.
We will discuss how its words resonate in modern life and how its principles continue to shape the United States.
How and where does it influence our lives today, and why is it important as we look back over 250 years.
Be a Part of a Reflective Workshop
An interactive activities session focused on participation (we’ll get creative)—together, we will explore how we can embody these historical freedoms and continue the legacy of this "great experiment" in democracy.
This is also an opportunity to honor the leaders, advocates, veterans, and everyday citizens who have worked to protect and uphold these democratic ideals throughout our history.
Help shape this celebration and community conversation about our shared democratic ideals.
Event Details
Programming by Illinois Humanities
Part of their Community Conversations
Date: Saturday, May 2
FREE and open to the public
Time: Noon – 1:30 pm
Bring your own lunch - standard beverages provided
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois—304 Cultural Arts Center
Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program with funding and support from the following partners and our generous donors:
Reception: Exhibition | Bring May Flowers
FREE and Open to the Public
Enjoy conversation, creative discovery, and celebrate this exhibit featuring Southern Illinois artist, Shannon S. Green
Details
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip
Date: Friday, May 1
Time: 5 - 7 pm
Meet the artist
Special exhibition viewing
Refreshments available
Donations are welcome and support our nonprofit work
Works for Purchase—Support local artists & our work
Find a selection of works from this collection available for purchase and bring home a new creative expression that also supports local art and artists.
Showing & Saturday Demonstration | Southern Illinois Bonsai Society
Experience Your Passion or Discover Something New
We are excited to welcome members of the Southern Illinois Bonsai Society to share their passion and talent.
Bonsai is an ancient living art form rooted in centuries of tradition that uses skilled pruning, training, patience, and thoughtful design to guide a tree’s growth over time—turning horticulture into an art of scale, structure, and beauty.
~ The Southern Illinois Bonsai Society is a community of enthusiasts fascinated by these little trees. We grow them, train them, develop them, and care for them. While “Bonsai” translates to “tree in a pot,” the practice is far more than that. The science lies in growing a plant in a small container, but the art is in shaping it to resemble the trees found in nature. True bonsai carries an unmistakable artistic spirit.
On Display—May 1 & 2
Bonsai trees crafted right here in Southern Illinois will be on display at our On the Strip location
Explore the beauty of this living art from local artists
Demonstration, Information, and Q&A
Learn more and experience this art form firsthand from members of the Southern Illinois Bonsai Society
Saturday, May 2
Beginning at 1:30 pm
Members will be available throughout the afternoon for questions as well as information for those interested in getting involved
The Society meets: 7 pm on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, Unitarian Fellowship Church in Carbondale (all experience levels welcome).
Show & Demonstration Location:
Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip
Reception: Exhibition | The Heroic Self
FREE and Open to the Public
Enjoy conversation, creative discovery, and celebrate this exhibit featuring three uniquely talented artists and their expressions of The Heroic Self.
Details
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois—304 Cultural Arts Center
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: Noon - 2 pm
Meet the artists
Special exhibition viewing
Refreshments available
Donations are welcome and support our nonprofit work
Works for Purchase—Support local artists & our work
Find a selection of works from this collection available for purchase and bring home a new creative expression that also supports local art and artists.
Community Event | Presentation & Participation About — The Community Poster Project: Diversity Is
You’re Invited to this Unique Community Event — FREE and Open to the Public
An important, lively, and enlightening event and collaborative conversation
Presented by:
Rob Lopez & Corey Tester from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Graphic Design Dept.
What to Expect
Learn more about the Diversity Is Community Poster Project
Gain a deeper understanding of the important themes of Diversity, Equity, and Unity within the context of the visual arts, cross-cultural communication, and creative expression
Hear about Lopez & Tester's innovative approach to researching the topic
Find out what community members have to say
Be a Part of it — Get Creative! You’ll have an opportunity express your own reflections about what "Diversity is." for the Poster Project (All are welcome to participate, materials provided & no experience needed, everyone can get creative)
What is: Diversity Is
The Diversity Is Project is an effort to recognize, celebrate, and promote the limitless value of diversity worldwide. One of the project’s core goals is to highlight the work of gifted type designers while demonstrating how a wide range of typefaces can work together in harmony—a visual metaphor for the beauty of diversity.
Created by graphic designers experienced in communicating with diverse audiences, the Diversity Is Project aims to share this important message with our communities through posters, stickers, t‑shirts, digital media, and more. Through these materials, these designers seek to be active participants in the ongoing discourse surrounding Diversity, Inclusivity, Equity, and Belonging.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, April 18
FREE and open to the public
Schedule:
Noon – 12:20 – Lunch (bring your own - standard beverages provided) and Mingle
12:20 – 12:45 – Presentation
12:45 – 1:30 – Connect, Collaborate, & Participate - add your creativity to the Diversity Is Poster Project
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois—304 Cultural Arts Center
Artspace Southern Illinois is proud to present this program, sponsored in part by funding from the following partners and our generous donors:
Reception: Exhibition | Joy & Discovery—Diverse Expression
FREE and Open to the Public
Featuring our first large, multi-artist show at our newest venue!
Join us and support local artists
Enjoy conversation, creative discovery, and celebrate this exhibit featuring the works of seven inspiring Southern Illinois women artists.
Exhibition | Joy & Discovery—Diverse Expression
Details
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip
Date: Saturday, April 11
Time: 2 - 4 pm
Meet Southern Illinois artists, enjoy the variety of artwork, and learn more about their striking creative talents
Special exhibition viewing
Light refreshments available
Donations are welcome and support our nonprofit work
Works for Purchase—Support local artists & our work
Find a selection of works from this collection available for purchase and bring home a new creative expression that also supports local art and artists.
Public Reception | Meet Our Residency Award Recipients — Southern Illinois Creatives
You’re Invited—Public Reception
We invite everyone to join us at our reception celebrating the recipients of our Residency Grants. Meet these creative talents and hear more about their passions, perspectives, and the work they’ll pursue during their residency.
The Artspace Southern Illinois/3Arts Residency Award is a $30,000 unrestricted grant award for performers, artists, and creatives, designed to offer support and flexibility, giving recipients the freedom to continue creating, exploring, and developing their work on their terms.
Event Details
FREE & open to the public
Friday, March 20
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Light refreshments
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois - 304 Cultural Arts Center
Exhibition | Joy & Discovery—Diverse Expression
Featuring the Art and Creative Perspectives of Seven Inspiring Southern Illinois Women Artists
Presenting the First Large Collective Exhibition at Our On the Strip Gallery
We are honored to share the vibrant, beautifully unique, and deeply personal expressions of these remarkable Southern Illinois artists. Their works reflect discovery, joy, creativity, culture, and the diverse perspectives that shape their lives and inform their art.
As a collective exhibit, the artists’ works span mediums and artistry—drawing from their unique points of view, yet also with shared perceptions as women creatives.
We invite you to explore this exhibition and the immense talent on display. Come “discover your own meaning” within this rich and expansive collection.
Featured Artists
Shoshana Church
Creativity has been a constant in Church’s life. She believes that each of us is blessed with a unique gift, and for her, that gift is the ability to convey meaningful messages through art. “Trends fade, but original art carries depth, history, and meaning. My work is created with layers of texture, scripture, and prayer—each piece one-of-a-kind…” Church’s journey to professional artist included time as a preschool teacher, physical therapist assistant, physician assistant, aromatherapist, and cannabis educator before diving into her true passion. “My guiding principle is: "With Faith as my compass, I am empowered to create art that speaks to the soul."
Rachel Malcolm-Ensor, PhD
Ensor has spent a lifetime immersed in creative influence. With a Master’s in Art History and additional doctoral work, she is an accomplished artist and art historian, and founder of the Murphysboro School of Art. As an artist, she states, “I focus on an idea, and then I start working, and I trust myself….” She believes, “You can really work out any problems you have if you make art…. It is also a great way to make new ideas for yourself and to help a person bloom.”
Margaret Goodward
Exploring her creativity since childhood, Goodward’s intricate art is created using multilayered cut‑paper low reliefs using a scalpel, vivid color, and intricate detail—drawing from a uniquely expansive artistic background in ceramics, figure drawing, metalworking, and printmaking (especially collagraph - printing from a plate of collaged materials). A period of recovery after an auto accident led to collage‑drawings and cut‑paper mandalas. Paper ultimately became her primary medium. “My images reflect on natural growth and human growth with artistic interests in positive-negative space, radial forms, and subtle embossed or scribed details that reward those who come to look up close.”
Erin Alice Gray
Color has always been a huge draw for Gray, “It speaks directly to my soul. A glimpse of a new or unexpected color combination will catch my eye and inspire and delight me. My paintings explore this interplay between combinations of color and my reactions to them. Everything might begin with color, but it is through the use of texture that I seek to communicate the emotions it evokes. To me, it’s about finding the joy in these unexpected combinations.” Her 3-dimensional pieces created with “random found objects” reflect her idea that leftover items, that otherwise would have been thrown away, can be given a new life and be used to create something beautiful.
Fern Logan
“I’m very conscious that the body is a temporary vessel and that we all are the same. And it just comes out in the work, and I’m glad that it does.” A renowned photographer, visual artist, and Southern Illinois influence with national acclaim, Logan’s works have been shown at the Smithsonian Institution, the Studio Museum in Harlem, and beyond. A passionate and thoughtful artistic force, she is SIU Professor Emerita of Cinema & Photography. We are honored that she is our current Residency Award recipient.
Lisa Tolnai
Tolnai’s innate creativity has been a part of her life from a young age, even as she built a full-time career outside of the arts. In recent years, she has devoted more focused time to her creative passion and to exploring artistic themes. “I try to make art a part of my everyday life. Creating gives me a sense of fulfillment, and I love it when others connect with what I have created. “Alongside her love of animals, and specifically her three cats, she draws inspiration from iconic furniture design, nature, music, and everyday life, all of which continue to shape her artistic talent and perspectives. Ultimately, she appreciates being able to bring a sense of joy to others through her work.
Emily Drew Yates
Painter, illustrator, and mapmaker, Yates is best known for her colorful, joyous artwork in acrylic, watercolor, and mixed media paintings and creative maps which celebrate the magic and mystery of the natural world, botanicals, and reverence for the great outdoors. Creativity and “making things” are a constant draw for Yates—continually pulling her back to art and creating as a comfort. Observing nature and its creatures—seeing the language of a universe that is alive—is a constant inspiration for her, which informs the free flow and exuberance of her work.
Bring the Exhibit Home
Art for Purchase—Support Local Artists & Our Work
Select pieces in this show are available for purchase at our On the Strip gallery. Whether you’re looking to start your collection or find a meaningful gift, take home original artwork from these inspiring artists. Your purchase supports these local creatives and our work to continue to provide opportunities and resources to Independent artists and our communities.
Exhibition On View
Now through April 18
Craig Rhodes Exhibition Reception
Art Exhibition Reception | Craig Rhodes
Join us for conversation, creative discovery, and to celebrate our exhibit featuring the works of a Southern Illinois Master Ceramicist: Shaped by Nature, Curiosity, and Decades of Exploration
Exhibition|The Golden Mean: The Ceramic Language of Craig Rhodes
Reception Details
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois—304 Cultural Arts Center
Date: February 28
Time: 12 noon - 2 pm
Meet Southern Illinois Artist, Craig Rhodes, and learn more about his striking work
Special exhibition viewing
Curated to Carry—Select works for purchase
Light refreshments available
We are thrilled to feature original works by Rhodes at our 304 Cultural Arts Center.
Distinctive and unorthodox—Rhodes work bridges craftsmanship and artistry, embodying an ongoing dialogue between material, environment, and maker. Drawing deeply from the beauty of nature—he creates distinctive vessels and sculptural forms known for their unorthodox techniques, layered surfaces, and rhythmic, nature‑inspired patterns.
For more than five decades, Rhodes has been a defining force in the ceramic arts of Southern Illinois and the lower Midwest. Working from his studio on the edge of the Shawnee National Forest, Rhodes draws deeply from the region's natural textures and rhythms, translating them into vessels and sculptural forms that merge tradition with experimentation.
Curated to Carry
Works for Purchase
FInd a selection of works from the Craig Rhodes collection available for purchase and bring the world of Craig Rhodes into your everyday life.
Select pieces for puchase at our venues:
304 Cultural Arts Center
On the Strip Gift Gallery.
Shop the Showcase Event| Fern Logan
“As a child, I would spend hours…watching my grandmother cut out a pattern….my hands remember the motions and details of how to construct garment from paper, fabrics, and thread. So, now I sew.” - Fern Logan
This February, We Celebrate the Works of Fern Logan: a Local Creative Force with National Recognition
Exhibit & Artist Showcase: The Light of Nature Joins the Joy of Fabric: PhotoArt and FabricArt
Shop The Showcase— Final Showcase, All Pieces and Exhibit Art Available for Purchase
Discover something beautiful, wearable, and completely original.
Join us for a special Artist Showcase featuring the work of Illinois artist Fern Logan. Her FabricArt collection includes a range of handcrafted, wearable pieces—one-of-a-kind and unavailable once it’s purchased.
Browse her personally curated selection, including:
Intelligently designed with effortless flow and movement, find pieces that complement diverse silhouettes
Rarely seen pieces, personally curated by Logan for this showcase
FabricArt - original pieces, handcrafted clothing, totes, jewelry, and more
PhotoArt - crafted from her artwork
Artistic, museum-quality, sustainable dolls crafted using upcycled and natural materials
Meet the Artist
Explore and take a moment to meet Fern Logan in person and hear more about her passions, process, and stories behind the work.
Event Details
February 21: Artist Showcase + Meet Fern Logan
11 am - 3 pm
All featured exhibit artwork and apparel will be available for purchase
Sips available at our On the Strip Coffee and Tea Bar
February featured Exhibit | Fern Logan
Location: On the Strip Art Center and Gift Gallery (map below)
Independent Artist, Fern Logan
As Professor Emerita of Cinema & Photography at Southern Illinois University, Logan has spent decades mentoring local artists and helping expand the arts in our region. Additionally, her book The Artist Portrait Series, which includes portraits of prominent Black artists such as Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, and Jacob Lawrence, was published by Southern Illinois University Press. Her artwork is included in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the Harlem State Office Building, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and Michigan Technological University. She is also the recent recipient of Artspace Southern Illinois and 3Arts Residency Grant.
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois
On the Strip—Art Center & Gift Gallery
Exhibition | Corene McDaniel - Southern Illinois Visionary
Discover the Artistry and Secret Language of Quilts from a Southern Illinois Visionary
Corene McDaniel | The Secret Language of Quilts: Mapping the Underground Railroad to Freedom
Trailblazers in work and service, artist Corene McDaniel and her husband Milton McDaniel co-founded the African American Museum of Southern Illinois with the purpose of identifying, preserving, and celebrating the achievements of African American culture in Southern Illinois.
We are honored to share these meaningful and important original works by Corene McDaniel at the Corridor Gallery in the Carbondale Civic Center.
Lives of Groundbreaking Achievements, Leadership, Creativity, and Service
Milton McDaniel’s historic firsts include becoming the first African American fireman and engineer for the railroads north of the Ohio River, as well as the first African American member of the sheet metal workers' union. He later established a successful heating and cooling business in Carbondale.
Corene McDaniel is a pioneering force in Southern Illinois. After a successful career as a salon owner, she went on to become the first African American woman to serve on the Carbondale City Council. Throughout her life, she has been a passionate advocate for preserving and passing on African American history and culture to younger generations.
Honoring Legacy, History, and Impact
This exhibition honors not only Corene’s artistic talents, but also the incredible lives of the McDaniels and their enduring impact on Southern Illinois.
Visit this exhibit at the Corridor Gallery located inside Carbondale Civic Center during regular business hours.
The Corridor Gallery is cooperatively managed by the City of Carbondale and Artspace Southern Illinois.
Exhibition | Craig Rhodes - Ceramic Artist
A Southern Illinois Master Ceramicist: Shaped by Nature, Curiosity, and Decades of Exploration
Craig Rhodes | The Golden Mean: The Ceramic Language of Craig Rhodes
Distinctive and unorthodox—Rhodes work bridges craftsmanship and artistry, embodying an ongoing dialogue between material, environment, and maker. Drawing deeply from the beauty of nature—he creates distinctive vessels and sculptural forms known for their unorthodox techniques, layered surfaces, and rhythmic, nature‑inspired patterns.
We are thrilled to feature original works by Craig Rhodes at our 304 Cultural Arts Center.
For more than five decades, Rhodes has been a defining force in the ceramic arts of Southern Illinois and the lower Midwest. Working from his studio on the edge of the Shawnee National Forest, Rhodes draws deeply from the region's natural textures and rhythms, translating them into vessels and sculptural forms that merge tradition with experimentation. His long career as a master ceramicist reflects a lifetime of refining form, glaze, and surface, shaped both by formal training and decades spent teaching and mentoring emerging artists.
Experience the compelling and breathtaking original creations of this true master
This exhibition invites viewers into the evolving world of an artist who has spent a lifetime in clay—shaping, carving, glazing, and firing works that honor both tradition and creative risk. Rhodes' ceramics stand as a testament to endurance, curiosity, and the expressive potential of the handmade object.
Curated works at this show include his “utilitarian, functional ware” ceramics—bowls, mugs, and cups, as Rhodes explains, “When you drink from a cup, you are connected to nearly every human being back to the Neolithic [Age]….” And his one-of-a-kind pieces that address, “…issues I am concerned with…” Rhodes says.
“Art is life…I’ve been doing it since I can remember, I can’t really say why, I was just born that way.”
Craig Rhodes in his studio on the edge of Shawnee National Forest - featured on PBS - WSIU. View more about his art and creative exploration in the full interview.
Curated to Carry
Works for Purchase
FInd a selection of works from the Craig Rhodes collection available for purchase and bring the world of Craig Rhodes into your everyday life.
Select pieces for puchase at our venues:
304 Cultural Arts Center
On the Strip Gift Gallery.
Master Ceramic Artist—Maintaining a Voice Uniquely His Own
Craig Rhodes' work reflects a lifelong exploration of clay—shaped by his background as a teacher, his experimental approach to form and glaze, and his deep engagement with the landscapes of Southern Illinois. He has a passion for pottery, glazing, and the improvisational methods that define his practice.
His pieces have been exhibited widely across the region, including a major presentation at the Ruth Baggett Gallery in Paducah, showcasing work that synthesizes decades of artistic inquiry and innovation. Influenced by noted ceramic educators such as Fred Shepard, Wayne Bates, Harris Deller, and John Hasegawa, Rhodes contributes to a strong lineage of Midwestern ceramic artistry while maintaining a voice uniquely his own.
Learn more about this Exhibition and artist, Craig Rhodes, from Chuck Benya, Artspace Southern Illinois, CEO & Curator
On View Feb 4 through March 15
Exhibition | Illinois Artist - Fern Logan
This February, We Celebrate the Works of a Local Creative Force: Fern Logan
Artspace Southern Illinois & 3Arts Residency Awardee
Featured Exhibition with Special Artist Showcase Days
The Light of Nature Joins the Joy of Fabric: PhotoArt and FabricArt—Fern Logan
This exhibition centers on an artist whose career spans decades and includes her role as a vibrant artistic voice in Southern Illinois and a nationally visible talent. It will feature her unique perspective and practice, emphasizing her artistic vision and the ideas she explores.
Inside This Exhibition—Local Impact and National Acclaim
Fern Logan’s work explores various themes and cultural perspectives and has been shown widely since the early 1970s, when she emerged as a promising photographer from Paul Caponigro’s Apeiron Workshop. Her work has been included in exhibitions at the Smithsonian Institution, the Studio Museum in Harlem, Kenkeleba Gallery, New York, and the groundbreaking exhibition Reflections in Black: Contemporary African American Photographers at the Brooklyn Museum.
All Featured Works On View and For Purchase
This is your opportunity to explore a unique artistic voice. The exhibition presents a selection of works, including PhotoArt & FabricArt, that reflect her broad range and expansive artistic talent, with all featured works for purchase at our gallery and shop.
A Vibrant Artistic Voice
As Professor Emerita of Cinema & Photography at Southern Illinois University, Logan has spent decades mentoring local artists and helping expand the arts in our region. Additionally, her book The Artist Portrait Series, which includes portraits of prominent Black artists such as Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, and Jacob Lawrence, was published by Southern Illinois University Press. Her artwork is included in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the Harlem State Office Building, the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, and Michigan Technological University.
A photographer and mixed media artist, she has earned consistent recognition through multiple grants and fellowships, including those from the New York State Council on the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council, and is the recent recipient of the Artspace Southern Illinois and 3Arts Residency Grant.
Black Madonna
Zebra
Location: Artspace Southern Illinois
On the Strip Art Center & Gift Gallery
Call for Presenters— Arts + Humanities AMAZE Conference
We’re bringing together artists, performers, educators, advocates, and arts organizations for an impactful conference focused on the Arts and Humanities in Southern Illinois — and we’re looking for presenters to share their insights, experiences, or help begin new ideas and build creative community.
Share your experience, thoughts, and ideas—for others to learn from or build upon
We invite you to submit a session proposal using the form below.
What Presenters Bring to This Event
Real-world insights
Personal strategies and approaches
Thought-provoking conversation and idea‑sharing
Perspectives that help others in their work
Why This Gathering Matters
This conference is designed for individuals and organizations in the arts and humanities, with a specific focus on Southern Illinois, who want to connect, collaborate, and leave with useful information, a new partnership or way of approaching their work, and valuable connections with others in the cultural arts community.
Keynote: Beth Lo
Internationally recognized ceramicist, illustrator, educator, and musician.
Conference Details
Date: March 21, 2026
Location: John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL
Submission Deadline for Initial Consideration is January 22
Submit your proposal using the form below for:
One-hour presentation or speech
Facilitated roundtable discussion
Hands-on workshop
Presenter Honorariums
Free admission to the AMAZE conference for the presenter
$75 - $125 per session, depending on qualifications, panel size, and scope
Travel stipends for presenters who live 90+ miles from the conference location
Presenter Selection and Notification
Submissions will be reviewed by our Conference selection committee for final selection
Individuals will be contacted if there are any questions or clarification is needed regarding their submission
Selected presenters will be notified by mid-February (please note, we will do our best to notify everyone who submits a proposal; however, based on the volume of recipients, we may not be able to notify individuals who are not selected. Thank you for your understanding)
After selection confirmation, we will provide a Q & A session and additional details and instructions to presenters
Questions? Email: connect@artspacesouthernillinois.org or call 618-457-5100
Supported by
Exhibit: Goya to Calder - Works from the Yeiser Art Center Vault
Goya to Calder: Works from the Yeiser Art Center Vault
FREE and Open to the public
Venue: Artspace Southern Illinois 304 Cultural Arts Center
Experience an extraordinary exhibition showcasing over 30 select works from the Yeiser Art Center’s permanent collection at Artspace Southern Illinois — 304 Cultural Arts Center on display through January 10. Free and open to the public (donations welcome to help support our exhibits).
Special closing reception, free and open to the public, January 10, Noon to 2:00 PM
This exhibition marks the first visual arts collaboration between Artspace Southern Illinois and the Yeiser Art Center, bringing together two leading regional arts organizations to share treasures from Yeiser’s permanent collection with Southern Illinois audiences. Featured works span centuries and styles, offering a rare glimpse into pieces by masters such as Francisco Goya and Alexander Calder, alongside other significant artists represented in the collection.
This collaboration celebrates the power of partnership in the arts. “We’re thrilled to bring these exceptional works to our community and look forward to more joint projects in the future,” Chuck Benya, CEO, Artspace Southern Illinois
Yeiser Art Center Board President Chad Clark added, “The Yeiser Art Center is honored to share selections from our permanent collection with Artspace Southern Illinois. This exhibition reflects our shared commitment to making world-class art accessible to communities across the region.”
We have exciting plans to deepen our partnership with Yeiser Art Center and expand opportunities for artists and audiences across state lines. Visitors are encouraged to attend the exhibit and closing reception to experience these remarkable works and learn more about what’s next.
Southern Arts Fund Submission Virtual Info Session
We're Here to Help
We understand the grant submission process may seem like a lot or be confusing, and we want to make it as easy as possible.
Join us for a virtual information session for the Southern Arts Fund Grants
November 22, 2025 @ 11:00 am CT
We'll discuss eligibility and criteria
Walk through the application process
Offer time for a Q & A
To attend: Email cdeane@artspacesouthernillinois.org for the Zoom Meeting Link
Need a computer or help with the digital application—we want to remove barriers to apply, if you need any resources, computer access, or assistance with the digital application, please email: cdeane@artspacesouthernillinois.org or call: 618-457-5100.
Exhibit: Are You Really Winning? Highlighting the Healing Power of Art
Exhibition: Corridor Gallery: Now—Jan 27
The Healing Power of Art
This unique exhibition showcases artwork created for the Problem Gambling Art Awareness Competition. In it's third year, this competition is an extension of the Illinois statewide campaign to raise awareness about the problem of gambling and was created to help educate the public. The competition was open to Illinois residents ages 14 and older.
Stories of Hope and Recovery
The featured artwork sheds light on the journey from darkness to hope for individuals impacted by gambling addiction. The goal of this exhibition is to share stories of hope that empower those experiencing gambling issues to choose their own path to recovery.
Opening Celebration: On the Strip, New Art Center, Gift Gallery, and more
Join Us for an Opening Celebration of Our Newest Venue
Welcoming everyone to: Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip
Free and open to the public—No Tickets Needed
We are excited to invite everyone to our NEW, flexible-space venue in the heart of downtown Carbondale at 607 S. Illinois Ave. We’ve completed a major remodel of Phase One to modernize this space and bring it to life in a creative, new way. This vibrant space helps us bring more opportunities for everyone to discover and take part in the arts in Southern Illinois.
Event Highlights
Check out our new space, learn about our updated name, and all that’s happening at Artspace Southern Illinois
See a new exhibit by Southern Illinois Artist, John Havlik - he’ll be there to chat and connect
Enjoy bites and beverages (fun mocktails)
Discover a variety of beautiful art and artisan creations at our new gift gallery - most of which are for sale (proceeds benefit the artist and our work)
Get an update on Phase Two of the venue - our maker’s space and more
Plus, just come hang out at our new space and help celebrate the cultural arts in Southern Illinois
Here’s what’s now open at this new space:
Art Exhibition Space - featuring local artists + many original works for sale
Coffee and Tea Cafe
Expansive Outdoor Patio
Gift Gallery - shop our carefully-curated artist and artisan creations & gifts - proceeds support artists + our work
Original works of art
Pottery
Sculpture
Handmade jewelry
Hand-crafted creations: blankets, hand-printed tea towels, stuffed animals, and more
So much more - because these are handcrafted and unique, items rotate
Exhibition Open House: John Havlik
Open House: Southern Illinois Artist John Havlik
At: Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip at 607 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL
FREE—Join us to celebrate the opening of a new exhibition by local artist John Havlik as part of the opening celebration of our newest venue in Carbondale, Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip
Watch the Video: John Havlik talking about his art in his words.
“After living for over a decade on thirty acres of native habitat in Southernmost Illinois, I’ve learned that I am a poor land manager but an awesome landlord. My farm is a thriving community of beyond human life. I’ve developed a sense of kinship to these plants and animals that is as strong as any family tie.
These prints are a response to that experience. Art can transform experience into awareness. Here is an awareness of the power of place, expressed in color and line through the craft of digital drawing and giclee printmaking.”
- John Havlik
Life at a glance
“I studied printmaking at SIUE and received my MFA in 1979. I spent my professional career as a graphic designer and illustrator. For 20 years, I was a senior designer at Krannert Center for the Arts at the University of Illinois. During that time, I also taught Design and illustration at Parkland College. I have two children and two grandchildren. I have lived in Johnson County, Illinois, for 15 years. I live with my dog Alfie on 33 acres of woodland and meadow, which I manage for wildlife habitat.”
1970 AA McHenry County College
1972 US Army
1975 BA, Southern Illinois University. Edwardsville
1978 MFA Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville
1978 Illustrator, Designer, Saint Louis, Champaign Urbana
1988 Senior Designer, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana
1998 Adjunct Instructor, Parkland College, Champaign
2011 Moved to Southernmost Illinois
Exhibition: Artist John Havlik ENDING DATE TBD
Join Us for an Exhibition Featuring Local Artist, John Havlik
At: Artspace Southern Illinois—On the Strip at 607 S. Illinois Ave., Carbondale, IL
Notice: Due to unexpected circumstances, this exhibit will be ending soon. Final date TBD posted as soon as determined. Don’t miss your chance to see these amazing works
FREE—Stop by our newest venue: On the Strip and enjoy the beautiful works featuring a Southern Illinois Artist.
Watch the Video: John Havlik talking about his art in his words.
“After living for over a decade on thirty acres of native habitat in Southernmost Illinois, I’ve learned that I am a poor land manager but an awesome landlord. My farm is a thriving community beyond human life. I’ve developed a sense of kinship to these plants and animals that is as strong as any family tie.
These prints are a response to that experience. Art can transform experience into awareness. Here is an awareness of the power of place, expressed in color and line through the craft of digital drawing and giclee printmaking.”
- John Havlik
Life at a glance
“I studied printmaking at SIUE and received my MFA in 1979. I spent my professional career as a graphic designer and illustrator. For 20 years, I was a senior designer at Krannert Center for the Arts at the University of Illinois. During that time, I also taught Design and illustration at Parkland College. I have two children and two grandchildren. I have lived in Johnson County, Illinois, for 15 years. I live with my dog Alfie on 33 acres of woodland and meadow, which I manage for wildlife habitat.”
1970 AA McHenry County College
1972 US Army
1975 BA Southern Illinois University. Edwardsville
1978 MFA Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville
1978 Illustrator, Designer, Saint Louis, Champaign Urbana
1988 Senior Designer, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Urbana
1998 Adjunct Instructor, Parkland College, Champaign
2011 Moved to Southernmost Illinois
OPEN NOW Southern Arts Fund Grant Submission
Grant Submissions NOW OPEN
We’re proud to support the cultural arts in Southern Illinois and provide vital funding through the Southern Arts Fund (SAF). These funds help support creatives, programs, organizations, and more to continue to—create, perform, and provide opportunities for people across our region to explore and take part in the cultural arts.
Key Details:
Deadline: December 31, 2025
Eligibility: Grants are open to Southern Illinois artists, performers, arts educators, nonprofit arts organizations, and cultural events that are free and open to the public—find full eligibility details on our SAF Grant Submission page.
What’s Offered: $35,000 in total funding available. Multiple grants will be awarded, ranging from $1500 to $3000—please see the SAF Grant Submission page for more information.
Grant Application Submission Session
We're Here to Help
We understand the grant submission process may seem like a lot or be confusing, and we want to make it as easy as possible. Join us for a grant application submission information session:
November 22, 2025 - 11:00 am - Noon
We'll discuss eligibility and criteria
Walk through the application process
Offer time for a Q & A
To attend: Email cdeane@artspacesouthernillinois.org for the Zoom Meeting Link
Need a computer or help with the digital application? We want to remove barriers to applying. If you need any resources, computer access, or assistance with the digital application, please email: cdeane@artspacesouthernillinois.org or call: 618-457-5100.
Learn How We Fund the Cultural Arts in Southern Illinois
We’ve funded many individuals, programs, events, and nonprofit organizations, supporting the cultural arts across our region.
SAF is made possible through the Illinois Arts Council’s Regional Arts Partners program and is administered by Artspace Southern Illinois with generous funding support from the Illinois Arts Council, Funding Good Chaos, the City of Carbondale, and our dedicated donors.
Inklusive Exhibit - On the Strip Arts Center
Community INK Exhibition FREE & Open to the Public
Exhibition
A unique photography exhibition featuring people from throughout Southern Illinois and their personal stories told through tattoo artistry!
Works by SIU Photojournalism students
Exhibitions at 2 Galleries
Check out all the photos at both of our galleries:
304 Cultural Arts Center - 304 W. Walnut St., Carbondale
On the Strip Gallery - 607 S. Illinois St., Carbondale
Inklusive Exhibit - 304 Cultural Arts Center
Community INK Exhibition FREE & Open to the Public
A unique photography exhibition featuring people from throughout Southern Illinois and their personal stories told through tattoo artistry!
Works by SIU Photojournalism students
Exhibitions at 2 Galleries
Check out all the photos at both of our galleries:
304 Cultural Arts Center - 304 W. Walnut St., Carbondale
On the Strip Gallery - 607 S. Illinois St., Carbondale
Carbondale Mini-Mural Project - Artist Submissions
Hey Carbondale—something colorful is coming!
We’re turning the alley walkway between Rips Pizza and Legal Smile into a vibrant outdoor gallery with 8 mini-murals.
Artists—submissions are NOW open!
Love working big? This is your chance to showcase your art in a public space. Full details on the event page. INFO Sessions: Free Mini-mural project and application Zoom meetings: October 4 & 18.
Everyone else—get ready to explore and enjoy a new selfie spot!
Let’s paint our city beautiful—together. Tag an artist who needs to see this!