RIVERSSANCE FESTIVAL
SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 | 10 A.M. - 5 P.M.
celebrating its 36th year as the premier fine arts festival of the Quad Cities, showcasing top artists throughout the greater Midwest.
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 over 90 exhibiting artists, a children’s art activity tent, wine tasting, food vendors 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 live music, wine & beer tastings, 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$5 per adult / per day
$8 for a weekend pass Individuals 18 and under FREE Artists’ awards
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Thank you to our 2024 generous Sponsors
Live Music Line-up 2024Saturday:
Sunday:
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Food Vendors 2024 |
LINDSAY PARK Map 2024
A public reception to honor this year’s Harley Award Recipient Award for outstanding support of the visual arts will be held on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Lindsay Park at the Village of East Davenport. All artists, and art supporters are welcome!
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2024 HARLEY AWARD WINNERJodean Rousey MeleskiJodean Rousey Meleski is a dedicated advocate for the arts and the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Harley Award, presented at Riverssance Festival of Fine Art by Quad City Arts for her outstanding support and contributions to the arts community. Known for her passion and commitment to promoting the arts, Jodean has earned her place alongside a distinguished group of talented individuals who share a deep love for advancing creative expression in the Quad Cities area.
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Her introduction to the world of art began unexpectedly through the board game Masterpiece, where her desire to own the Georgia O'Keeffe card, even as a forgery, sparked an enduring interest in art. This early curiosity led her to pursue a formal education in Art History, obtaining her Bachelor’s degree from Augustana College and her Master’s in Art History, Theory, and Criticism from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her studies focused on contemporary art, cementing her deep connection to modern creative movements.
Jodean’s first career was in the food and beverage industry, where she spent 20 years working in various roles, including as a manager, bartender, waitstaff, and host, developing essential leadership and communication skills that she later applied to her career in the arts. After transitioning out of the industry, she briefly taught as an adjunct professor at both Black Hawk College and St. Ambrose University but quickly realized that teaching wasn’t her calling, leading her to refocus on her true passion—supporting the arts in her community.
For over two decades, Jodean has been a key figure in coordinating Riverssance Festival of Fine Art, helping to grow the event into a beloved community celebration. Beyond Riverssance, Jodean’s passion for the arts is reflected in her personal collection of more than 400 unique works, each representing meaningful connections she’s made throughout her journey.
Professionally, Jodean has spent 28 years with MidCoast Fine Arts, serving as Program Director for 26 years and Gallery Director for over 15 years. She also worked as Program Director for Venus Envy Quad Cities, an organization dedicated to empowering women through the arts, from 2010 to 2014. These roles have helped Jodean shape the Quad Cities arts community and advocate for public support of the arts.
Her professional background is as diverse as her contributions to the arts. Since 2018, she has been an Operations Specialist at Army Sustainment Command on the Rock Island Arsenal. Prior to this role, she served as an Operations Specialist at the Rock Island Arsenal Garrison and held various other positions, including as a Visual Information Specialist and Curator of Education at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum, where she worked for over 13 years.
Jodean’s dedication, vision, and genuine love for the arts have made her an integral part of the Quad Cities’ cultural landscape, and she continues to inspire others through her advocacy and unwavering support for creative expression.
Jodean’s first career was in the food and beverage industry, where she spent 20 years working in various roles, including as a manager, bartender, waitstaff, and host, developing essential leadership and communication skills that she later applied to her career in the arts. After transitioning out of the industry, she briefly taught as an adjunct professor at both Black Hawk College and St. Ambrose University but quickly realized that teaching wasn’t her calling, leading her to refocus on her true passion—supporting the arts in her community.
For over two decades, Jodean has been a key figure in coordinating Riverssance Festival of Fine Art, helping to grow the event into a beloved community celebration. Beyond Riverssance, Jodean’s passion for the arts is reflected in her personal collection of more than 400 unique works, each representing meaningful connections she’s made throughout her journey.
Professionally, Jodean has spent 28 years with MidCoast Fine Arts, serving as Program Director for 26 years and Gallery Director for over 15 years. She also worked as Program Director for Venus Envy Quad Cities, an organization dedicated to empowering women through the arts, from 2010 to 2014. These roles have helped Jodean shape the Quad Cities arts community and advocate for public support of the arts.
Her professional background is as diverse as her contributions to the arts. Since 2018, she has been an Operations Specialist at Army Sustainment Command on the Rock Island Arsenal. Prior to this role, she served as an Operations Specialist at the Rock Island Arsenal Garrison and held various other positions, including as a Visual Information Specialist and Curator of Education at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum, where she worked for over 13 years.
Jodean’s dedication, vision, and genuine love for the arts have made her an integral part of the Quad Cities’ cultural landscape, and she continues to inspire others through her advocacy and unwavering support for creative expression.
About The HARLEY AWARD
MidCoast Fine Arts and Quad City 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.
Past Harley Award Winners
- Dee Schricker (2023)
- Pat Bradley Bereskin (2022)
- Sherry Case Maurer (2021)
- Terry Rathje (2019)
- 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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BEN GOUGEONEvents Coordinator
309.793.1213 ext. 100 |
