UPcoming exhibits
America the Beautiful Art Exhibit
February 4 – March 21, 2026
Entry deadline: January 17
Awards Reception: February 13
Help us celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence as we present an exhibit intended to showcase the spirit of America, from sea to shining sea. This historic milestone is an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. Whether the founding fathers, famous battles, monuments, flag, Rocky Mountains, Mississippi River, or our unique wildlife! Artwork must be original from any art medium including painting, mixed medium, drawing, mosaic, sculpture, and photography.
Specifications: Minimum overall size is 8” x 10” and maximum 60” x 60”. All frames must be wired for hanging. Pedestals are available for 3D work.
Fee: $25 for members or $35 for non-members for up to two pieces per artist.
Sales: Exhibited works will be considered for sale at the price indicated during the submission process to include the CMAAA commission of 25% for any artwork sold. Works not for sale must be designated “NFS”.
Awards: The exhibit will be judged by Stuart Roddy with awards presented at the reception on February 13. Visitors will also be allowed to vote for their favorite piece with the People’s Choice winner announced at the close of the exhibit.
Submissions: You may register online at the link below. Entry forms are available at CMAAA. Artists accepted will receive information pertinent to drop off, pick up, opening dates, etc. Call 815-595-5810 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
Please Note:
If you are a vendor offering your work for sale, please submit payment only for yourself.
If you are registering to attend an event such as a performance or class, payment for each person attending must be made.
You will be able to record each individual’s name and contact information on the next screen.
After finishing registering, please return to this page to submit your images and image details using the "submit images here" button.
America the Beautiful Art Exhibit - Awards Reception: February 13
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Judge: Stuart Roddy
Growing up in Laguna Beach California, Stuart found that his interest in art was becoming a very important part of his life and was truly influencing his development as a person in many ways. He works in several mediums including oil, acrylic, pastels, egg tempera and etching. “I believe that an artist continues to grow and develop throughout life and working in multiple mediums enhances that growth for me. I am fascinated with both the differences and the similarities between these mediums.”
He first became interested in egg tempera when he recognized its similarity to etching, particularly the importance of line. Over the years he developed a more loose approach and believes that his more recent paintings represent a merging of artist and subject matter.
Stuart is a teacher at Sterling High School and at Sauk Valley Community College. His education includes a BA and MA from the University of Illinois. He also attended the Art Institute of Chicago and the Laguna Beach College of Art Design.
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Judge: Stuart Roddy
Growing up in Laguna Beach California, Stuart found that his interest in art was becoming a very important part of his life and was truly influencing his development as a person in many ways. He works in several mediums including oil, acrylic, pastels, egg tempera and etching. “I believe that an artist continues to grow and develop throughout life and working in multiple mediums enhances that growth for me. I am fascinated with both the differences and the similarities between these mediums.”
He first became interested in egg tempera when he recognized its similarity to etching, particularly the importance of line. Over the years he developed a more loose approach and believes that his more recent paintings represent a merging of artist and subject matter.
Stuart is a teacher at Sterling High School and at Sauk Valley Community College. His education includes a BA and MA from the University of Illinois. He also attended the Art Institute of Chicago and the Laguna Beach College of Art Design.
Reception Music: Jim Kanas
As a teenager Jim studied classical music and jazz improvisation and through educational and other venues found himself in the company of many jazz performers and educators including Pat Metheny, George Benson, Gary Burton and Stan Kenton to name a few. Also, at that time Jim was performing with then neighboring high school student/saxophonist Bill Evans sat-in with veteran blues man Eddy Clearwater. Jim won consecutive awards as a jazz guitarist in the Chicagoland area and concurrently pursued his love and “hobby” of playing bluegrass, folk and traditional music.
He later found himself surrounded by and jamming with influential musicians such as Steve Goodman, Corky Siegel, the Nashville Cats, Allison Krause, Vasar Clements, Jethro Burns and others. Jim broadened out his performance base to include pedal-steel guitar, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, dobro and vocals and toured regionally as a sideman with many country oriented groups. Jim earned a unique interdisciplinary music performance degree from Northern Illinois University in contemporary guitar skills, commercial music and American folk instruments.
He is an Illinois Arts Council Artstour artist and performs and records regularly as a soloist (guitarist/singer/multi instrumentalist), and over the years Jim played extensively the Jim Kanas Trio (folk/bluegrass/western swing) and with the Jim Kanas Jazz Quartet.
As a teenager Jim studied classical music and jazz improvisation and through educational and other venues found himself in the company of many jazz performers and educators including Pat Metheny, George Benson, Gary Burton and Stan Kenton to name a few. Also, at that time Jim was performing with then neighboring high school student/saxophonist Bill Evans sat-in with veteran blues man Eddy Clearwater. Jim won consecutive awards as a jazz guitarist in the Chicagoland area and concurrently pursued his love and “hobby” of playing bluegrass, folk and traditional music.
He later found himself surrounded by and jamming with influential musicians such as Steve Goodman, Corky Siegel, the Nashville Cats, Allison Krause, Vasar Clements, Jethro Burns and others. Jim broadened out his performance base to include pedal-steel guitar, fiddle, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, dobro and vocals and toured regionally as a sideman with many country oriented groups. Jim earned a unique interdisciplinary music performance degree from Northern Illinois University in contemporary guitar skills, commercial music and American folk instruments.
He is an Illinois Arts Council Artstour artist and performs and records regularly as a soloist (guitarist/singer/multi instrumentalist), and over the years Jim played extensively the Jim Kanas Trio (folk/bluegrass/western swing) and with the Jim Kanas Jazz Quartet.
Feb 1 – March 31: Taft Gallery Artist Joy Meyer
Joy Meyer earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art and Art Education from Northern Illinois University. She retired in 2005 after teaching art for thirty years, the last twenty years at Rock Falls High School in Rock Falls, Illinois. Joy also taught many workshops for both teenagers and adults during her career and shortly after retirement. She has won numerous awards for both her painting and her teaching. Joy and her husband, Gordon, have four children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Joy has enjoyed working in many different media including watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, glass etching, stained glass, and silk painting, but the medium she has chosen to specialize in during recent years is Acrylic Painting. She enjoys working in a fairly realistic style using primarily bright, cheerful colors. Her actual painting techniques vary depending on the subject matter being painted and the mood desired, often using many techniques within a painting to better represent the details within the painting. Joy also enjoys the challenges of working in an increasingly wider variety of subject matter.
Joy Meyer earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art and Art Education from Northern Illinois University. She retired in 2005 after teaching art for thirty years, the last twenty years at Rock Falls High School in Rock Falls, Illinois. Joy also taught many workshops for both teenagers and adults during her career and shortly after retirement. She has won numerous awards for both her painting and her teaching. Joy and her husband, Gordon, have four children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Joy has enjoyed working in many different media including watercolor, pen and ink, pencil, glass etching, stained glass, and silk painting, but the medium she has chosen to specialize in during recent years is Acrylic Painting. She enjoys working in a fairly realistic style using primarily bright, cheerful colors. Her actual painting techniques vary depending on the subject matter being painted and the mood desired, often using many techniques within a painting to better represent the details within the painting. Joy also enjoys the challenges of working in an increasingly wider variety of subject matter.
2026 Juried Art Exhibits
America the Beautiful Art Exhibit
February 4 – March 21
Awards Reception: February 13
3rd Annual Focus on Photography Art Exhibit
April 1 – May 16
Awards Reception: April 10
Around the Farm Art Exhibit
June 5 – July 18
Awards Reception: June 12
Objects of Affection Still Life Art Exhibit
August 1 – September 12
Awards Reception: August 7
Moments in Monochrome Art Exhibit
October 1 – November 14
Awards Reception: October 9
America the Beautiful Art Exhibit
February 4 – March 21
Awards Reception: February 13
3rd Annual Focus on Photography Art Exhibit
April 1 – May 16
Awards Reception: April 10
Around the Farm Art Exhibit
June 5 – July 18
Awards Reception: June 12
Objects of Affection Still Life Art Exhibit
August 1 – September 12
Awards Reception: August 7
Moments in Monochrome Art Exhibit
October 1 – November 14
Awards Reception: October 9