DOGWOOD ARTS BRUNCH RAISES FUNDS FOR ARTS ED
​Arts Quincy's Live Cake Decorating Competition was the feature entertainment during the Dogwood Arts Brunch at Quincy Country Club on Sunday, May 1. This year's theme was “May Day at Dogwood.”
 
In just over one-hour, cake decorators created some of the most stunning works of cake art and Bethany Bristol Coulson with Underbrink’s Bakery was declared Quincy's Best Cake Designer as well as the winner of the People’s Choice Award. Although this is Coulson’s first time competing in the live event, Underbrink’s has won the title “Grand Champion” three times in a row!

​The Dr. Eells Underground Railroad Home is once again welcoming visitors for an open house this February. Step back in time to a tumultuous moment in Quincy’s history when the town was on the front lines of the fight against slavery. The Dr. Eells home, located just 4 blocks from the Mississippi River, was the first stop for many escaped enslaved people on their road to freedom. Visitors will learn about Quincy’s role in the abolition movement and what it was like to live in a free state bordered by a slave-holding state in the early 1800s.  

By MATT HOPF
Herald-Whig Staff Writer
Reprinted with permission from the Herald-Whig
Fifteen minutes after artillery fell silent on July 27, 1953, 24 notes on a bugle could be heard at the United Nations Truce Camp in Panmunjom, Korea.
Quincy native Bob Ericson, a U.S. Marine sergeant and the 1st Service Battalion bugler in the 1st Marine Division, sounded taps at 10 pm “to signal the end of the war and memorialize those who had fallen in the war.”
On the 60th anniversary of the war’s cease-fire, Ericson once again performed taps — this time at the commemoration hosted at the Illinois Veterans Home. Just a month earlier, he played taps at the Korean War Memorial in Washington while on an Honor Flight. ​

​John Webb is a retired surgeon and a member of the Quincy Woodworkers Guild. John completed his first woodworking project when he was in high school, but it wasn’t until 20 years ago that he picked up his tools again and began making clocks. John has since expanded his project repertoire to include a cedar chest, a shelf unit and gifts for his family members. He is currently working to restore his childhood home by cutting and drying red oak logs in his barn. 

​Bucket List Ideas #1: Quincy Museum
1601 Maine St., Quincy; 217-224-7669; quinmu1@adams.net; thequincymuseum.org
The Quincy Museum is located in the historic Newcomb-Stillwell Mansion at 16th and Maine Streets. The 1891 mansion is a beautiful example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture and is located on what National Geographic Magazine identified as “one of the most architecturally significant intersections in the United States.”
The mansion was originally the home of Richard F. Newcomb, a Quincy businessman and civic booster. Later it was the home of his son-in-law, John Stillwell who was one of the founders of the Electric Wheel Company.
The mansion features gorgeous stained-glass windows on all three floors as well as different types of wood, ornate fireplaces and hand-laid mosaic tile. 

Arts Quincy has partnered with Arts Alliance Illinois to promote vaccinations! Local artists have answered a call to help combat vaccine hesitancy. 
Artwork completed include a live artist demonstration during a vaccination clinic at QFest in June 2021. Another artist is installing mural panels at the Adams County Health Department based off the drawing of a local student. A direct mail and poster campaign is also underway with the health department. 
The grant is part of a state-wide effort to use art as a way to communicate the importance of COVID-19 vaccines so we can get back to in-person arts activities. Artists in 24 regions across Illinois are creating over 72 pro-vaccination projects this summer since vaccines are widely available. 

​After decades of meeting at the Quincy Art Center, the Quincy Artists Guild found themselves nomads during the Covid-19 pandemic. Monday morning plein air sites ranged from the Women’s City Club grounds to the beautiful Mississippi River shore. With cold weather approaching, the Quincy Artists Guild found their new home at the Cheryl Loatsch Studio located at 334 South 48th Street in Quincy. The spacious, well lit, clean environment suited the Quincy Artists Guild and their needs to perfection. In addition to the working space assets, you often find the Guild taking advantage of the Cheryl Loatsch Sunrise Bakery and Café during a well-earned break. 

The Guild meets every Monday morning from 9-11 am to paint with their medium of choice. Monthly mini-workshops provide for sharing a new technique or lesson learned. The Quincy Artists Guild have sponsored two-day workshops to expand the knowledge in a particular medium. In March, the topic was watercolor featuring John Preston of Fairfield, IA. A Pastel workshop with the same knowledgeable artist will be held in August at the Quincy Country Club. 

An exhibit is planned at the Cheryl Loatsch Studio this summer where the results of the artists’ latest works will be on display. 

The Quincy Artist Guild is open to new members who are interested in returning to painting or to those who would like to learn more about art in a supportive and sharing environment. For more information, call President, Dr. Zakiah Ali 
at 217-440-3331. 

Dr. Dale Hill is a retired animal nutritionist, a Navy veteran, a beekeeper and a woodworker. Dale was the Secretary of the Quincy Woodworkers Guild for many years until recently relocating out of state. Dale also helped with the woodworking projects for the residents of the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy.  
Utilizing a small shop area in his basement, Dale gives new life to wood pieces that many other woodworkers would discard since they are too small to make something out of. He uses these small pieces to make writing pens using a variety of woods, including broken hammer and axe handles, a broken cedar mailbox post, and 2-3” dried tree branches. He says that you never really know how they will look until you apply the finishing steps (see photo).  
Dale also makes 2D and 3D projects with the scroll saw. He has cut some of the plaques given to the Honor Flight veterans along with a variety of other military plaques. Dale recently had shoulder surgery and small woodworking projects help with his rehabilitation progress along with passing the time during the Covid-related activity restrictions.
Quincy Woodworkers Guild meets on the first Monday of the month and welcomes new members. For more information contact quincywoodworkersguild@gmail.com.

Arts Quincy is excited to announce the recipients of the 2020-21 George M. Irwin Art Awards. 
These awards are designed to recognize the hard work and dedication of these outstanding individuals and organizations. This year, new categories were added to recognize the many roles each person or organization played in the promotion of the fine arts during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Winners of the George M. Irwin Art Awards are chosen by a committee based on criteria that demonstrates impact, leadership, engagement, and innovation throughout the community. 

George M Irwin Art Awards: Sponsored by WGEM, The Quincy Herald Whig and the Oakley Lindsay Foundation.

Arts Access Leader of the Year
Quincy Herald Whig: This award is given to a person or business making a significant effort to increase fine arts access and connect existing programs with people in underserved parts of the community including those who are living below the poverty line, the differently-abled, military veterans, the elderly and minorities. 

Philanthropic Leader of the Year
Lee Lindsay: This award is given to an individual or local business making a financial commitment to the arts in Adams County. 

Arts Nonprofit of the Year
Quincy Art Center: This award is given to a nonprofit organization that has made a substantial impact on the cultural development of this area demonstrated through exceptional artistic achievement, outstanding programming or other leadership activities.

Arts Quincy Award  for Community Vision 
Anne St. John and Trees for Tomorrow: This new award is given to a volunteer or organization in recognition for outstanding contributions to the aesthetic vision for Quincy, including projects that have special artistic merit, contribute to community beautification and elevate the quality of life for residents of Quincy and Adams County.