Grant Bicentennial • April 27-30
January
Event Details
The Center proudly presents a special exhibition dedicated exclusively to the work of its talented studio artists. Filling the walls of both the Regional Arts Gallery and the Special Exhibit
Event Details
The Center proudly presents a special exhibition dedicated exclusively to the work of its talented studio artists. Filling the walls of both the Regional Arts Gallery and the Special Exhibit Gallery, this showcase highlights a wide range of styles, media, and creative voices from artists who bring the Center’s studios to life every day.
Featured artists include Joy Nebergall, Janet Eggleston, Sheila Haman, Karen Stockwell, David Orr, Julie Ferring, Craig Miller, Reigne Adrian, Denise Tollensdorf, Steve Larson, and Courtney Moser of Galena Custom Framing.
The exhibition opens with a public reception on Thursday, January 22, from 4–6 PM. Guests are invited to meet the artists, enjoy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, and experience live entertainment by Desiree Irwin.
The exhibit will be on display through February 21.
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Hollie Smurthwaite will explore how to craft open-door intimacy that fits your characters, your story, and your voice. Champagne on Main will feature special spicy cocktails! Register here: https://galenalitfestspice.eventbrite.com Writing spicy
Event Details
Hollie Smurthwaite will explore how to craft open-door intimacy that fits your characters, your story, and your voice. Champagne on Main will feature special spicy cocktails! Register here: https://galenalitfestspice.eventbrite.com
Writing spicy isn’t just about getting graphic—it’s about flavor. Spice can be slow-building or fiery, sweet or sharp, but like any good dish, it needs to complement the meal. In this workshop, we’ll explore how to craft open-door intimacy that fits your characters, your story, and your voice. You’ll learn how to balance physicality with emotion, navigate language choices, and shape scenes that feel both authentic and impactful. We’ll also tackle common fears, how to write past awkwardness, and ways to find your comfort zone on the spice scale.
This is a hybrid program. Hollie Smurthwaite will present in person at Champagne on Main. There is also the option to Zoom in and view the workshop virtually. Either will offer opportunities to interact with the instructor. Please register at www.galenalibrary.org to attend in-person or virtually. After the workshop, Hollie will be available after the workshop to sell and sign her books on site.
Hollie Smurthwaite writes paranormal romances where magic meets reality, blending wit, angst, and steamy chemistry with themes of trust, empowerment, and found family. Her first novel, The Color of Trauma, won the 2020 Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project.
Galena LitFest is the twelfth annual literary festival organized and funded by the Galena Public Library with support from the Friends of the Galena Public Library and in partnership with the Galena Center for the Arts, Champagne on Main, Galena Cellars, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation. Events will take place throughout January 2026 in-person and virtually.
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Join award winning author Sandra Jackson-Opoku at Fried Green Tomatoes for a curated dinner featuring soul food recipes from the Savvy Summers Mysteries book series to hear about her journey
Event Details
Join award winning author Sandra Jackson-Opoku at Fried Green Tomatoes for a curated dinner featuring soul food recipes from the Savvy Summers Mysteries book series to hear about her journey as an author and the impact of generational history, food, and community.
A full dinner will be served including beverage, appetizer, entree, and dessert. Purchase tickets here: https://galenalitfestsavvy.eventbrite.com. Seating is limited! A book signing in partnership with Galena Book & Paper will follow.
She will be joined in conversation by Michelle Cox the 2024 Illinois Indie Author Project winner and author of historical fiction, including the Henrietta and Inspector Howard series, The Fallen Woman’s Daughter, and The Merriweather Novels.
Galena LitFest is the twelfth annual literary festival organized and funded by the Galena Public Library with support from the Friends of the Galena Public Library and in partnership with the Galena Center for the Arts, Champagne on Main, Galena Cellars, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation. Events will take place throughout January 2026 in-person and virtually
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Location
Fried Green Tomatoes
213 N. Main St., Galena, IL 61036
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*There will be a special presentation in the theater at 3pm As part of Galena 200th birthday celebration, the Galena Center for the Arts is proud to announce the opening of
Event Details
*There will be a special presentation in the theater at 3pm
As part of Galena 200th birthday celebration, the Galena Center for the Arts is proud to announce the opening of a new dedicated gallery space honoring Alfie Mueller (1909–2004), who devoted his life to preserving Galena’s history through a remarkable collection of more than 10,000 historic photographs, tintypes, and newspaper clippings.
The exhibit features a selection of images from Alfie’s collection and a video highlighting his work, offering a rare glimpse into Galena’s past.
Admission is free and open to the public during regular gallery hours and by appointment for school and tour groups thanks to support from the Illinois Arts Council and the Galena Foundation.
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A Fundraiser for Justyna Miranda of City Girl Farming Date: January 24th, 2025 Time: 5-9 PM Location: Voices Studios Gallery 1585 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA. Free entry, cash bar, live music
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A Fundraiser for
Justyna Miranda
of City Girl Farming
Date: January 24th, 2025
Time: 5-9 PM
Location: Voices Studios Gallery
1585 Central Avenue, Dubuque, IA.
Free entry, cash bar, live music and a silent auction of artwork by local artists.
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Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte (Turtle Mountain Band Anishinaabe) will present a night of poetry and conversation at the Mąą Pįį Center for Science and Culture in partnership with the
Event Details
Illinois Poet Laureate Mark Turcotte (Turtle Mountain Band Anishinaabe) will present a night of poetry and conversation at the Mąą Pįį Center for Science and Culture in partnership with the Galena Public Library and the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation. Register here: https://galenalitfestpoetry.eventbrite.com
This is a hybrid program. Mark Turcotte will present in-person at the Mąą Pįį Center for Science and Culture inside historic Hess House. There is also the option to Zoom in and view the presentation virtually. When registering choose in-person or virtual attendance. Virtual attendees will recieve a separate email with the Zoom link.
Anyone who would like to learn more about the Mąą Pįį Preserve and Hess House is welcome to arrive at 5:30 pm for an informal meet and greet with JDCF staff.
Named in July 2025 as 6th Illinois Poet Laureate, Mark Turcotte is the author of several books, including The Feathered Heart and Exploding Chippewas. His work has appeared in many national and international literary journals and anthologies, including the new and first ever Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry. His poem, “Dear New Blood,” was recently featured on the poetry podcast, Poetry Unbound. He lives in Chicago, and since 2009, has been Senior Lecturer and Distinguished-Writer-In-Residence in the English Dept at DePaul University.
The Illinois Poet Laureate is in-residence with Illinois Humanities.
The Mąą Pįį (“Good Earth” in the Ho-Chunk language) Preserve is a place that welcomes all people to gather, learn, and participate; where conservation science and Indigenous cultural knowledge come together through land, food, and community. The historic 1885 Hess House has been re-purposed to create a space that can host programs year-round regardless of weather.
Galena LitFest 2026 is the twelfth annual literary festival organized and funded by the Galena Public Library with support from the Friends of the Galena Public Library and in partnership with the Galena Center for the Arts, Champagne on Main, Galena Cellars, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation. Events will take place throughout January in-person and virtually.
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Location
Mąą Pįį Center for Science and Culture
1221 N. Ferry Landing Rd. Galena, IL 61036
Event Details
In this engaging, hands-on workshop at the Center, you’ll learn the techniques to craft your own mosaic masterpieces. Guided by professional mosaic artist Cherish Criswell, attendees will design and complete
Event Details
In this engaging, hands-on workshop at the Center, you’ll learn the techniques to craft your own mosaic masterpieces. Guided by professional mosaic artist Cherish Criswell, attendees will design and complete two unique coasters to display or gift.
This course is split into two sessions:
January 31: Designing and gluing your mosaic tiles.
February 7: Grouting, cleaning, & sealing for a professional finish.
This workshop welcomes all skill levels ages 12 and up. With only 12 spots available, be sure to reserve your ticket now!
Tuition $30 (includes all materials)
Mosaic artist and instructor Cherish honed her craft at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and The Chicago Mosaic School, learning directly from founder Karen Ami, a leader in contemporary mosaic arts.