This Saturday (May 16) the Art Clash theme is verdant. It means: land covered with healthy, lush vegetal. It is also a rich shade of green. It can also be used to describe someone inexperienced. We can’t wait to see how the artists interpret the theme!
Doors at 6:30pm
Clash starts at 7:15pm
Get your tickets 👆use the Art Clash 2026 tab in bio.
#whereelgincreates #downtownelgin #supportlocalart
🚨 DEADLINE EXTENDED TO MAY 20. 🚨
🏳️🌈 PRIDE - RISE is an exhibition celebrating the brilliance, resilience, and creative power of the �LGBTQIA+ community.
Artists are invited to submit visual artwork in any medium — including 2D, 3D, and video/time-based works — that celebrates and represents the LGBTQIA+ experience.
Be bold. Be seen. Rise.
SUBMIT: 👆Use the 2026 Calls for Art tab in bio.
PLEASE SHARE!! LET'S FILL THE WALLS!
ART CLASH TONIGHT!
Come out and see some of Elgin’s finest artists battle it out for their chance to move on to the finals in June where we will see who will become the 2026 ART CLASH CHAMPION! 👑
Tonight’s lineup:
Rachel Ayoung Chee
@rachelayoungchee
MimicBox Comix
@zelagero
Melina Scotte
@melscotte
Bay
@baykennedy13
Cristina Colunga Ramírez
@arte.en.los.huesitos
Abby Mungai King
@walrustown
Kevin Gould
@kevingouldfineart
Karl Jahnke
@karlmjahnke
Kathryn Fredrickson
@starsoverthethicket
Shannon Carlson
@psychidyllicarts
🔥🔥🔥
Get your tickets in advance for $18, or $20 at the door
(Link in bio & comments)
Doors at 6:30pm
Clash begins at 7pm
BE THERE!!!!
HOW👏CUTE👏ARE👏THESE??!!
Drop by MADE this weekend and pick up your very own ILLINOIS plushy from @stuffedstatesusa before we sell out!
Side Street Gallery
15 Ziegler Court
Friday | 3-7pm
Saturday | 12pm-6pm
Sunday | 11am-3pm
#supportlocalart
#supportlocal
#smallbusiness
#art
#exploreelgin
THIS SATURDAY (May 16) join us to vote for the last two artists going to the City Final in JUNE!! Doors at 6:45pm / Painting at 7pm.
Get your tickets in advance or at the door. This is a Pay-What-You-Can event with a suggested contribution of $18. 👆Use the Art Clash 2026 tab in bio
Do you have what it takes to Clash? 👆Use the Art Clash 2026 tab in bio
💥 Introducing the competitors 💥
Kevin Gould - Artist with interdimensional perspective. @kevingouldfineart
Bay Kennedy - Over the years art has taken up less of my time, as school activities have taken up that time. I'm excited to be competing again and continuing to create art.
Abby Mungai King - A terrible noise. A crash. A howl. You peer out into the night through the sliver of curtains. A walrus, lighted only by the moon, gracefully roosts on the hood of your car. @walrustown
MimicBox Comix - I'm MimicBox Comix, an upcoming artist and graphic designer who likes to create cute and surreal pieces that challenge and appeal to the tastes of the sensitive viewer. @zelagero
#whereelgincreates #downtownelgin #supportlocalartists
It's the 2nd Thursday of the month and that means....
😆 IMPROV! 😆
Join us at 7pm TONIGHT (5/14) and watch 2 improv teams perform. This is a pay-what-you-can event with a recommended contribution of $10. See you there!!
#whereelgincreates #downtownelgin #supportlocalart #artisimportant
THIS SATURDAY (May 16) join us to vote for the last two artists going to the City Final in JUNE!! Doors at 6:45pm / Painting at 7pm.
Get your tickets in advance or at the door. This is a Pay-What-You-Can event with a suggested contribution of $18. 👆Use the Art Clash 2026 link in bio.
Do you have what it takes to Clash? SIGN UP TO PAINT. 👆Use the Art Clash 2026 link in bio.
💥 Introducing the competitors 💥
Karl Jahnke - I like to paint a variety of subject matter using realism sensitively counterbalanced with painterly expression. @karlmjahnke
Melina Scotte - People, bright colors, and details are the inspiration for most of my pieces. @melscotte
Rachel Ayoung Chee - Based in Aurora, Rachel Ayoung Chee is a mixed-media artist who creates vibrant, layered, and whimsical work through intuitive painting—an expressive process that embraces spontaneity and flow. @rachelayoungchee
Cristina Colunga Ramírez - Cristina is a multidisciplinary artist living and working in Elgin, IL. Her work is heavily influenced by her Mexican heritage, spirituality and femininity. @arte.en.los.huesitos
#whereelgincreates #downtownelgin #supportlocalartists
TONIGHT (Wed, 5/13) from 7pm - 9:30pm come practice your IMPROV skills! All levels are welcome from beginners to seasoned veterans. Make stuff up and meet new people in a welcoming and weird environment.
First half of the evening is short form, the second half, long form.
Pay What You Can | Recommended Contribution $8
#whereelgincreates #improv #improvnearme
THE Abby Franke @afranke_art will show you how to create bold blue prints using the power of the sun! ☀️
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore the magic of cyanotype printing — one of the earliest forms of photography. Arrange natural objects, found materials, or your own small keepsakes on light-sensitive paper to design a one-of-a-kind composition. After a quick exposure to sunlight and a simple rinse, your vibrant blue-and-white image will be revealed.
You’ll leave with finished cyanotype prints and the knowledge to keep experimenting on your own.
REGISTER today! Link in bio/comments!
Ages 14+ / Adults
Saturday, May 16 | 1pm-3pm | $45
All materials included.
Side Street Gallery | 15 1/2 Ziegler Court
#supportlocalart
We need to take a moment to show some love for our Exhibitions Coordinator, Andrew Vo @anbovo ———
Andrew has been absolutely pouring himself into Side Street lately — helping keep exhibitions, installs, artists, and a million moving parts together while bringing so much creativity, care, and thoughtfulness to everything he does.
So much of this work happens quietly behind the scenes, but Side Street is stronger because of him. From Artist in Residence to now helping shape so much of what people experience when they walk through our doors, Andrew has become an incredibly important part of this organization and community.
We appreciate the hell out of you, Andrew. Thanks for everything you do for Side Street, our artists, and downtown Elgin. ❤️
#SideStreet
#supportlocalartists
#supportlocalart
Call for art! Celebrate Pride month with @sidestreetsa -- get your submissions in by May 20, and mark your calendar for the opening reception for RISE on June 5!
Teamwork makes the dream work! 💪
Thank you to Jamie, Julie, and everyone at @riekeinteriors for hosting our first interior design meeting for our #futurehome at 62 S. Grove. My head was reeling with so many options and so much support… And I’m not gonna lie, I got pretty emotional about it. We’re so grateful for this opportunity from @designs4dignity and cannot wait to see what our design team comes up with next. Stay tuned!!!
- T
#supportlocalart
#supportlocal
#art
#artisimportant
