Community Calendar

Join us for an exploration of pietra dura’s relevance within contemporary art and visual culture. Presented by Madison Hill, designer, researcher, and established pietra dura mosaic artist with over 17 years of experience. Her work is characterized by continuous experimentation in mosaic techniques, new technologies, and materials. She will discuss her artwork on display for the “Enduring Symbols: Liberty Set in Stone” exhibit.

You are invited to experience the collective wisdom and personal experience of artists' interpretation of the theme Echoes of a Changing Planet. Participating artists:
Norm Knott, Marsha Goodheart, Holly Blair-Cascio, Susan Berry, Julie Kennelly, Maya Simmons, Caitlyn Jahn, Paula Flanagan-Marsh, Barbara Berney, Lori Gustafson, Sadie Hoessrich, Becca Houlihan, Jose Sente, Greg LaMont, Clara Krick, Jessie Crow-Mermel, Wren Medina, Cassie Blair, Ventie Houi, Drew Helge, Annette McLean and Cherie Heck.

Dorothy Paige-Turner presents a staged reading series celebrating the breadth and brilliance of African-American storytelling.

Experience an unforgettable collection of poetry, drama, and storytelling—from the dreams and wisdom of Langston Hughes, to inspiring women whose spiritual experiences have too often gone untold, to the bold theatrical plays of Rockford native Nathan Alan Davis.

Each event offers a unique opportunity to engage with remarkable artists, ideas, and histories.

I DREAM A WORLD | The Poetry, Plays and Publications of Langston Hughes

SAT Jun 27 at 7:30
SUN Jun 28 at 4:30

CANDLES IN THE DARK | Unnamed Spiritually Gifted Women of the Bible

SAT Jul 25 at 7:30
SUN Jul 26 at 4:30

A NATIVE SON | A Showcase of the Plays of Nathan Alan Davis

SAT Aug 29 at 7:30
SUN Aug 30 at 4:30

Learning how to be a resource for youth struggling with mental health challenges through our free QPR Training.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): A suicide prevention gatekeeper training that teaches adults how to recognize warning signs, offer hope, and refer youth to life-saving professional care

Workshops are scheduled once enough attendees have submitted for them. The workshops are 8 hours long split in a single session or 2-day sessions of 4 hours each.

For more information, email: Ymhfirstaid@niu.edu

A display of paintings created by members of the Plein Air Painters of Rockford depicting "Buildings". These paintings were created on location. Many of the buildings depicted are in the Rockford area

You are invited to experience the collective wisdom and personal experience of artists' interpretation of the theme Echoes of a Changing Planet. Participating artists:
Norm Knott, Marsha Goodheart, Holly Blair-Cascio, Susan Berry, Julie Kennelly, Maya Simmons, Caitlyn Jahn, Paula Flanagan-Marsh, Barbara Berney, Lori Gustafson, Sadie Hoessrich, Becca Houlihan, Jose Sente, Greg LaMont, Clara Krick, Jessie Crow-Mermel, Wren Medina, Cassie Blair, Ventie Houi, Drew Helge, Annette McLean and Cherie Heck.

Learning how to be a resource for youth struggling with mental health challenges through our free QPR Training.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): A suicide prevention gatekeeper training that teaches adults how to recognize warning signs, offer hope, and refer youth to life-saving professional care

Workshops are scheduled once enough attendees have submitted for them. The workshops are 8 hours long split in a single session or 2-day sessions of 4 hours each.

For more information, email: Ymhfirstaid@niu.edu

A display of paintings created by members of the Plein Air Painters of Rockford depicting "Buildings". These paintings were created on location. Many of the buildings depicted are in the Rockford area

You are invited to experience the collective wisdom and personal experience of artists' interpretation of the theme Echoes of a Changing Planet. Participating artists:
Norm Knott, Marsha Goodheart, Holly Blair-Cascio, Susan Berry, Julie Kennelly, Maya Simmons, Caitlyn Jahn, Paula Flanagan-Marsh, Barbara Berney, Lori Gustafson, Sadie Hoessrich, Becca Houlihan, Jose Sente, Greg LaMont, Clara Krick, Jessie Crow-Mermel, Wren Medina, Cassie Blair, Ventie Houi, Drew Helge, Annette McLean and Cherie Heck.

Every family has a story, and every heirloom holds a piece of history. Explore how photographs, letters, recipes, clothing, jewelry, and everyday objects can connect personal memories to larger moments in American history. This program is run by Carolyn Law of Carolyn Law Antiques, LLC.

Learn how family keepsakes preserve culture, stories, traditions, and community experiences across generations.

This program is free to attend and is intended for teens and adults. This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For more information, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 6108.