Quad City Arts
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    • Artworks Expo High School Pastel Mural Competition
    • High School Art Invitational
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QUAD CITY ARTS'

RIVERSSANCE FESTIVAL
​OF FINE ART

SEPTEMBER 18, 2021  |  10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2021  |  10 A.M. - 4 P.M.
Lindsay Park in the Village of East Davenport, Iowa

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 Riverssance

Riverssance 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

  • one $600 Best of Show Award 
  • ten $225 Merit Awards 
  • one $150 People’s Choice Award

Call for Entry

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. 
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Application

Download, fill out the application and send by email or mail (Riverssance, 1112 30th St., Rock Island, IL 61201).​
Download Application
Booth Fee
Jury Fee

​IMPORTANT DATES

  • March 22, 2021 - Postmark deadline for applications
  • ​April 19, 2021 - Notifications sent
  • ​August 9, 2021 - Deadline for cancellations
  • September 17, 2021 - Friday booth setup AFTER 1 p.m.
  • September 18, 2021 - Riverssance 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • September 19, 2021 - 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 WINNER

Terry Rathje

MidCoast 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. 
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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.
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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.
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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
  1. Rachael Mullins Steiner (2018)
  2. Jeanne O'Melia (2017)
  3. Mary Ellen Chamberlin (2016)
  4. A year of silence in memory of Bruce Carter (2015)
  5. Megan & Kristin Quinn (2014)
  6. Nick DeGioia (2013)
  7. Les Bell (2012)
  8. James Konrad (2011)
  9. Kay Hall (2010)
  10. Mimzi Haut (2009)
  11. Dean Schroeder (2008)
  12. Ruth Evelyn Katz (2007)
  13. Jeanne Tamisiea (posthumously) (2006)
  14. Ralph Iaccarino (2005)
  15. Thomas Chouteau, Sr. (2004)
  16. Shirley Heysinger (2003)
  17. Jean Sieben (2002)
  18. Lloyd Schoeneman (2001)
  19. Larry DeVilbiss (2000)
  20. Marge Heir (1999)
  21. Don Heggan (1998)
  22. Betty Luther (1997)
  23. Sally Sahlmark MacMillan (1996)
  24. Isabel Bloom (1995)
  25. Sr. Clarise & Left Bank Art League (1994)
  26. Marilyn Morrison (1993)
  27. Elizabeth Rochow (1992)
  28. Ben Sunday (1991)
  29. William Hannan (1990)
  30. Father Edward Catich (1989)
  31. John Bloom (1988)

SUPPORT THE ARTS THROUGH SPONSORSHIP

Quad 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 GILSON

Development Director
309.793.1213 ext. 104
Email

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​Rock Island Gallery
​& Store Hours

Mon–Fri: 10a–5p
Sat: 11a–5p
Closed Sundays

CONTACT

Phone: 309.793.1213
Fax: 309.793.1265
info@quadcityarts.com
1715 2nd Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201

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EVENTS

  • Chalk Art Fest
  • Run for the Roses Derby Party
  • Riverssance Festival
  • Festival Of Trees
  • Performing Arts Signature Series

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ABOUT

Quad City Arts is dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. The organization’s dual role of presenting the arts and humanities, as well as serving as an arts resource, allows us to serve more than 350,000 people annually in the Arts Center in Rock Island and at over 200 rural and urban community sites.​

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© 2020 Quad City Arts is a 501(c)(3). Privacy Statement
  • About
  • Programs
    • Visiting Artist Series & Educational Resources
    • Public Sculpture Program
    • Metro Arts Youth Apprenticeship Program
    • Arts Dollars Grant Program
    • Visual Art Opportunities & Calls for Entry
    • Artworks Expo High School Pastel Mural Competition
    • High School Art Invitational
  • Events
    • Festival of Trees
    • Chalk Art Fest
    • Run for the Roses Derby Party
    • Riverssance Festival of Fine Art
    • Performing Arts Signature Series (PASS)
  • Galleries
    • Rock Island Gallery
    • Airport Gallery
    • Second Avenue Window
    • Past Exhibits
  • Blog
  • Support & Donate