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Monmouth College
Offers a 4 year program of general education with in-depth study in the major and a rich array of co-curricular activities in order to foster the discovery of connections among disciplines and of larger patterns of meaning.
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City Hall
100 E. Broadyway
Monmouth, IL 61462
(309) 734-2141
 
Copyright © 2005 City of Monmouth
site created by Magic Lantern
 
 
Art Tour
January 01, 2005
 
Quite possibly the best kept secret of West Central Illinois is the wide variety of artwork produced here. In amongst the fields of corn and soybeans there are other crops being harvested, from the pottery this area is known for, to hand woven scarves. Visit the fine art galleries at Monmouth College and on the town square and then watch as wood is transformed into a musical instrument or into furniture that brings beauty to any setting.
We invite you to discover the art of the region and relish in the fine harvest of beauty.
 
Len G. Everett Galleries. The galleries, located in the Hewes library on the Monmouth College Campus are a nice mix of antiquities and contemporary art to start off our tour.
 
Tour photo: everett gallery.jpg
 
The library includes gallery 203 which houses the Shields collection of art and antiquities, as well as gallery 204 which houses temporary exhibitions by world class artists as well as faculty and student shows. For hours and directions call 309-457-2190. For more information visit http://department.monm.edu/library/gall/
 
 
2) Buchanan Center for the Arts located on the public square in downtown Monmouth.
 
Tour photo: bca10.jpg
 
The Buchanan Center gallery hosts a wide range of exhibitions from local amateurs to world renowned artists. Be sure to check out the gift shop which offers the work of several local artists. For hours and directions call 309-734-3033. Or visit them online at http://bcaarts.org/
 
 
3) Tromp As Writ Weavers Guild located in the Buchanan Center for the Arts on the Public Square.
 
Come watch as these talented weavers make everything from belts to bedspreads on their looms! The guild meets every Tuesday from 9 am until noon and there is also a class offered every Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:30. For more information about the weavers guild call the Buchanan Center for the Arts at 309- 734-3033.
 
 
4) Harlow Blum Studio and Gallery located on the 15th block of East Broadway.
 
Tour photo: 110_1001.jpg
 
Blum is known in the area for his mixed media collage paintings inspired by the Asian cultures of Japan and Korea. To set up an appointment to visit his studio on East Broadway call 309-734-7553.
 
 
5) Daw Violins, located at 416 North Second Street in Monmouth.
 
Brian Daw has been making and repairing instruments in Monmouth since 1990 and his instruments are works of art both to the eye as well as the ear. For more information visit Brian’s website at: www.dawviolins.com or to schedule a visit call 309-734-5266.
 
 
6)Western Stoneware Company. On the outskirts of Monmouth, at the junction of highways 67 and 34, is the Pottery Barn an outlet store for Western Stoneware where you can browse through the collectible stoneware.
 
Tour photo: WesternStonewareJug .JPG
 
Started in Monmouth in 1906, Western Stoneware is known for high quality pottery.For more information call 309-734-6809. You can also order Western Stoneware online at www.chefsbeststoneware.com/about.html
 
 
7) Maple City Pottery located at 620 South Mainstreet in Monmouth.
 
Tour photo: PotPainting2.JPG
 
Maple City Pottery specializes in hand crafted salt glazed stoneware. For more information visit www.maplecitypottery.com or call 309-734– 4791.
 
 
8)John Vellenga photography gallery and studio. John’s studio is on the 4th floor of the Business and Technology building at 620 South Main.
 
Vellenga is known regionally for his black and white photos and landscapes.To make an appointment to visit the studio please call 309-734-6902.
 
 
9)Chicken Scratch Pottery Studio. To get there head west out of Monmouth on 164 towards Oquawka. Nine miles out of Monmouth you will reach 1900 East (watch for the sign). You will find the pottery studio of Mary Schuytema 1/2 mile down the road on the right.
 
Tour photo: Monmouth Mary Pottery.jpg
 
Mary does a wide variety of work from bird houses to hand designed tiles. Examples of Mary’s hand-thrown stoneware and porcelain pottery can be found at: www.chickenscratchpottery.com. For more information or to set up a visit call 309-768-9303 or 309-734-0060.
 
 
10) Smith Creek Pottery. The next stop of our tour is also on the way to Oquawka off of RT 164 about 5 miles east of Oquawka.
 
The Smith Creek Pottery Studio featuring an assortment of dinnerware and decorative items is home to two local potters, Linda Sickmon and Carol Tenold. For more information or to set up a visit call Linda at 309- 627-2746 or Carol at 309-734-6086.
 
 
11) Bill Gullberg’s Chairwright Studio is in the village of Kirkwood. This little village is just a few miles west of Monmouth.
 
Tour photo: chairwright pict.jpg
 
Bill has been making windsor chairs and other furniture in the 18th century style for years and offers classes that are attended by students from all across the United States. For more information on visiting his studio or attending a class visit Bill’s website at: www.chairwright.com or call 309-283-1831.
 
 
12) The Lytle Sculpture Studio is located north of Monmouth in the nearby town of Knoxville.
 
Tour photo: The_Gossips.jpg
 
Renowned Midwest sculptor Tom Lytle is known for his representational figurative metal sculptures. Tom’s sculptures can be viewed in several venues including the Rhythm City Blues office in downtown Davenport Iowa. To set up an appointment to visit Tom’s studio in Knoxville, Illinois call 309-289-6851.
 
 
13)Hewes Library on the Monmouth College Campus. In addition to the galleries there are beautiful pieces of art spread throughout the library.
 
Tour photo: Mural_Library_4x6b.jpg
 
Hewes Library – located throughout the library are several important works given to the college. On the wall of the staircase is the monumental painting. My Cup Runneth Over, by John Clayson Snook. For a comprehensive explanation of this work, visit: http://department.monm.edu/library/other/mural.htm

On the top floor of the library is the impressive Winding Road and Cypress Trees, San Vigilio by John Singer Sargent.

Also on the top floor of the library is the Canopus Stone, a rare casting from an ancient Egyptian stele with a fascinating history. Further information may be accessed through the following website:

http://personal.monm.edu/jlarson1/canopus_project.htm
 
 
14) McMichael Academic Building – the two lower floors house the Art Department studios and offices.
 
Regular display of student work is viewable in the halls.
 
 
15) Outdoor Sculpure in front of McMichael Academic building. This sculpture entitled PLANAR HYBRID is by sculptor Richard Hunt.
 
Tour photo: Mon col Sculpture A2.jpg
 
The sculpture is cast from bronze and Cor-Ten steel and was completed in 1983. The top portion of the piece is fabricated from pieces of welded sheet bronze which have been cut and curved in configurations suggesting a variety of plant and animal forms—a hybrid. The bottom half of the piece is made of welded Cor-Ten steel, an alloy which develops a richly colored coating of rust after which no more corrosion penetrates the metal.
 
 
16) “OUTDOOR 4-SWINGER”
Stainless Steel Kinetic Sculpture
By Bruce Stillman

Located in front of the Wells Theatre on the Monmuth College Campus.

(Gift of Bill ’65 and Beverly Goldsborough, Spring 2003)
 
Tour photo: Stillman Sculpture.jpg
 
Stillman has a passion for working with kinetic sculpture and the study of slow motion with different geometric and organic shapes relating with each other. The shapes pass over each other, creating different positive and negative images and space, with ever-changing combinations. All of his stainless steel “swingers” are finely balanced and will move with the slightest touch or gentle breeze, if placed outdoors. Once set into motion, the enigmatic designs will continue hypnotic, tranquil motions for an average of 45 minutes, almost seemingly perpetual.
 
 
 
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