A touchstone of the arts in Aurora, Nancy Smith Hopp left us March 23, 2023 with the same unassuming grace she showed in all she did in Aurora. And, she did a great amount. As a historian, biographer, connoisseur of art and architecture, philanthropist, executive, trustee, conservationist, gardener, mentor, and...
The St. Charles Arts Council (SCAC) will be host to a reception for more than 100 student artists Saturday, April 15 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.. The reception will take place at 116 Gallery in downtown St. Charles and is in celebration of the 2023 Student Art Show which...
The Aurora Historical Society is adding a series of five talks by Aurora-area art experts to the Spring exhibit on display at the Pierce Art and History Center at 20 E. Downer Place in Aurora. Entitled Aurora’s Own Ruth Van Sickle Ford, the show features more than 30 watercolors by...
This year, Aurora will celebrating five milestones that honor the City’s history and its forward momentum. “We rise through legacy, growth, and community,” will be the theme throughout the year. The Aurora Downtown organization celebrates the following anniversaries. 10 years of First Fridays Aurora has a long tradition of celebrating...
Hannah Pawlak and Caleb Reynolds, both of Geneva, rehearse for Aurora Central Catholic's upcoming production of "Chicago," the high school version.
More than 100 Aurora Historical Society members and guests turned out Friday, March 3 to preview an exhibit paying homage to famed Aurora artist Ruth Van Sickle Ford (1897-1995). “Aurora’s Own Ruth Ford,” an exhibit of approximately 35 Ford paintings loaned by local collectors, will run through May 13 at...
First Fridays will celebrate Women’s History Month at several participating downtown venues Friday, March 3. This month’s theme is Women in the Front which will create space for women who stand up, take charge, and inspire. “It is such an honor to be able to theme an evening around women...
The life and work of artist and educator Ruth Van Sickle Ford (1897-1989) is the subject of the Spring exhibit at the Aurora Historical Society (AHS). “Aurora’s Own Ruth Van Sickle Ford” will present her life story from her earliest days as the daughter of restaurateurs in Aurora to her...
“Color: Breathe In…Breathe Out…,” an exhibit by Naperville artist Tania Blanco, will be on display March 5 through April 7 in Marmion Academy’s Dr. Scholl Gallery, 1000 Butterfield Road in Aurora. An opening reception will be held Sunday, March 5, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the gallery. The...
"Uncasville, Connecticut," a watercolor by famed Aurora artist Ruth VanSickle Ford, will be among Ruth VanSickle Ford works showcased in "Aurora's Own Ruth Ford," an exhibit March 3-May 13, at Aurora Historical Society's Pierce Art and History Center, 20 E. Downer Place in Aurora.
Decorated Converse sneakers are among works by 38 artists in 'No Place Like Home,' an exhibition through April 28 at Aurora University's Schingoethe Center, 1315 Prairie Street in Aurora.
Santori Public Library, 101 S. River Street, in Aurora at First Fridays provides the host setting 'For the Love of Dance,' which featured West African dance and live drum experience by Ayodele Drum and performances by AKA Dance.
The Batavia Public Library has selected a true masterpiece for One Book, One Batavia this year, the young adult nonfiction work “Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers.” One Book, One Batavia is an annual, community-wide reading program that will bring the community together for shared discussions and experiences. It...
In his lifetime, Michelangelo was called Il Divino, or, “the Divine one.” He was born March 6, 1475 in the Republic of Florence. For several generations his family had been bankers in Florence, but the bank failed and his father, Ludovico, took a government post in Caprese. Several months after...
Conductor Lee Mills wants to challenge the way observers think of orchestral music. Mills will conduct the Elgin Symphony Orchestra March 4 and 5 in performances of Charles Ives’ “The Unanswered Question,” Juan David Osorio’s “El Paraiso según María,” Arturo Márquez’s “Danzón No. 2,” and Dvořák’s “Cello Concerto.” The pieces,...
By Al Benson She wasn’t French. She learned to be a chef at Paris’ cooking school. But for an hour Sunday, Jan. 29 late Julia “French chef” Child came alive at Batavia Public Library. With a Child-style wig and 1960s garb, Darien actress, author and historian, Leslie Goddard dramatically portrayed...
A gala banquet will be held Friday, March 31 at Villa Olivia in Bartlett to honor the Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame’s 2020 and 2022 inductees. The celebration spotlight is on talented and influential artists with connections to the Fox Valley area. The 2020 inductees are Patrick F. Beckman,...
BrightSide Theatre continues its commitment to young artists with the belief that involvement in arts programs increases the development in children on both an academic and social scale while building self-esteem. We designed The BrightSide Theatre Youth Project to provide a professional and educational learning experience for grade school through...
The St Charles Arts Council announced its 2023 Student Art Show will be held at 116 Gallery in Downtown St. Charles, April 15 through May 6. The show will feature student artwork (both K-12 students and currently enrolled undergraduate students) from the Fox River Valley. The 2023 Student Art Show...
Magical Starlight Theatre, a program of the Naperville Park District, will present its 2023 show, “Matilda the Musical,” in eight performances scheduled for the weekends of January 13-15 and 20-22, 2023 at Naperville Central High School auditorium. “‘Matilda’ was chosen as this year’s musical because it’s fun and meaningful for...
