RIVERSSANCE FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 18, 2021 | 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
celebrating its 33rd year as the premier fine arts festival of the Quad Cities, showcasing hundreds of top artists throughout the greater Midwest – artists like you!
About RiverssanceRiverssance is known throughout the Midwest for its high quality fine art, beautiful outdoor setting and its unique blend of delightful entertainment and delicious food & wine.
Located on a scenic hill overlooking the Mississippi River in the historic Village of East Davenport, this 2-day festival features 90 exhibiting artists, a children’s art activity tent, wine tasting, gourmet food and live regional music. Awards are given to exhibiting artists in various categories and the prestigious Harley Award is given to an individual whose affected the arts and artists in the Quad Cities during their lifetime. Enjoy music from River Music Experience, Tabor Wine tent, artist-painted wine glasses, children’s activity tent and the area’s best food, all while shopping for your next artistic treasure. We look forward to seeing you there! |
TICKETS$4 per adult / per day
$6 for a weekend pass Artists’ awards
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Call for Entry
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We’re proud of our reputation of treating artists like friends. We provide easy access for booth set up, “art angels” for booth breaks, lunch order delivery, complimentary water, and a commemorative festival t-shirt. Organized and run by art enthusiasts, Riverssance continues to be recognized for its careful attention to artists’ success, community partnerships, great buyers, beautiful location, and a fun weekend. Your artwork sales will be complemented by regional stage entertainment, a children’s art tent, quality food vendors, and regional wine tasting.
A new call for entry form will be posted for the 2021 event. |
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IMPORTANT DATES
- July 31, 2021 - Postmark deadline for applications
- August 3, 2021 - Deadline for cancellations
- September 17, 2021 - Friday booth setup AFTER 1 p.m.
- September 18, 2021 – 33rd Annual Riverssance 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- September 19, 2021 – 33rd Annual Riverssance 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information about participating, contact Jodean Meleski at jmeleski@quadcityarts.com or 309.737.8910
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2019 HARLEY AWARD WINNERTerry RathjeMidCoast Fine Arts takes great pleasure in announcing that Terry Rathje is the recipient of the 2019 Harley Award. An original member of the MidCoast Board of Directors, he contributed to many of its art programs and was involved in the development of Bucktown Center for the Arts as a unique nexus for artists’ galleries/classrooms/ studios. He designed the building’s exterior graphics.
As a sign of his esteem in the Quad Cities visual art community, Rathje was one of the first local artists to have a solo show at the Figge Art Museum (2013). He is known for having a collaborative spirit in working on creations with others, even in far-off locations such as Suriname. |
Rathje notes he “grew up in a small town in Eastern Iowa and to fight off boredom, found promise in art making at an early age.” He proceeded to serious exploration of drawing, then painting, leathersmithing, darkroom & digital photography, printmaking, animation, sculpture, and assemblage. Rathje attended high school in DeWitt, IA, followed by the University of Iowa, Marycrest International University (for a BA), and returned to The University of Iowa (for an MA and an MFA). He ran a graphic design & sign painting business for 15 years, and then shot & edited video, and designed graphics for video for another six years in the corporate world. He is retired from Western Illinois University where he was an associate professor of graphic design and taught from 1999 to 2017.
Now his time is spent living along the Wapsipinicon River and making wood sculpture. The current work by Rathje falls into four categories: assemblage, sculpture, furniture, and nomadic architecture- structures that can be assembled in one location then disassembled and moved to another. His explorations include use of industrial, recycled, and sustainable materials, 3D modeling, and developing new techniques of construction using digital technology, while tying these methods to traditional ones. He has exhibited in this country and abroad in several countries- including Brazil, England, Portugal, Turkey, and Suriname.
Rathje states “The eye is the place where the outside world meets the inside world. It is the interaction between the two, influenced by experience, genetic propensities, and imagination that generates work that hopefully ignites and unites those who are paying attention… and we all should be.”
Image above left: Ammonoid, 3 x 3 feet
Now his time is spent living along the Wapsipinicon River and making wood sculpture. The current work by Rathje falls into four categories: assemblage, sculpture, furniture, and nomadic architecture- structures that can be assembled in one location then disassembled and moved to another. His explorations include use of industrial, recycled, and sustainable materials, 3D modeling, and developing new techniques of construction using digital technology, while tying these methods to traditional ones. He has exhibited in this country and abroad in several countries- including Brazil, England, Portugal, Turkey, and Suriname.
Rathje states “The eye is the place where the outside world meets the inside world. It is the interaction between the two, influenced by experience, genetic propensities, and imagination that generates work that hopefully ignites and unites those who are paying attention… and we all should be.”
Image above left: Ammonoid, 3 x 3 feet
About The HARLEY AWARD
MidCoast Fine Arts honors individuals who've positively affected the visual arts and artists in the Quad Cities during their lifetime with the prestigious Harley Award. The Harley award has been presented since 1988 and was first awarded to John Bloom, a DeWitt, Iowa native who studied with Grant Wood. The prestigious award has been awarded to artists, teachers, museum officials, and people who've affected the arts and the artists in the Quad-Cities in their lifetime. The 2019 Harley Award reception, with about 85 in attendance, sponsored by Medix Dental.
Past Harley Award Winners
- Rachael Mullins Steiner (2018)
- Jeanne O'Melia (2017)
- Mary Ellen Chamberlin (2016)
- A year of silence in memory of Bruce Carter (2015)
- Megan & Kristin Quinn (2014)
- Nick DeGioia (2013)
- Les Bell (2012)
- James Konrad (2011)
- Kay Hall (2010)
- Mimzi Haut (2009)
- Dean Schroeder (2008)
- Ruth Evelyn Katz (2007)
- Jeanne Tamisiea (posthumously) (2006)
- Ralph Iaccarino (2005)
- Thomas Chouteau, Sr. (2004)
- Shirley Heysinger (2003)
- Jean Sieben (2002)
- Lloyd Schoeneman (2001)
- Larry DeVilbiss (2000)
- Marge Heir (1999)
- Don Heggan (1998)
- Betty Luther (1997)
- Sally Sahlmark MacMillan (1996)
- Isabel Bloom (1995)
- Sr. Clarise & Left Bank Art League (1994)
- Marilyn Morrison (1993)
- Elizabeth Rochow (1992)
- Ben Sunday (1991)
- William Hannan (1990)
- Father Edward Catich (1989)
- John Bloom (1988)
SUPPORT THE ARTS THROUGH SPONSORSHIPQuad City Arts' events would not be possible without the support of our many generous sponsors. Whether it is an in-kind sponsorship of goods or services, or a cash sponsorship towards an event or attraction, the opportunities are nearly endless. Contact us to learn more!
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KARIE GILSONMarketing &
Sponsorship Director 309.793.1213 ext. 104 |
