Art in the Park began alongside the development of RB&W Park and has grown into an annual celebration centered around the community’s Sculpture Walk. Each year, eight new sculptures created by artists from across the United States are installed throughout the park, joining several permanent pieces to create a rotating outdoor art gallery that can be enjoyed year-round.
The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at RB&W Park, located at 201 E. Second St. in Rock Falls. Admission is free.
While the sculptures remain the centerpiece, Art in the Park has expanded into an event that showcases creativity in many forms. Approximately 25 artists will display and sell their work, featuring everything from paintings, pottery and photography to jewelry and handcrafted yard art. This year’s artist lineup includes several local favorites while also welcoming creators from communities such as Peoria, the Quad Cities and the Bloomington area.
Live acoustic music will provide a relaxed atmosphere throughout the day. Performances by Tobin Kirk, Eli Tram, Javon and Sammy Marie will rotate throughout the event, allowing visitors to enjoy local music while exploring the park, shopping with artists or relaxing outdoors.
One of the event’s most unique features is the Otocast mobile app, which allows visitors to hear directly from the sculptors as they tour the exhibit. Through the app, artists explain the inspiration behind their work, discuss their creative process, and share information about themselves. Each sculpture is also accompanied by a plaque identifying the piece, its creator and the local sponsors who helped bring it to Rock Falls.
For artists interested in participating, sculpture submissions typically open in January, while applications for the outdoor art gallery begin in March. The Rock Falls Tourism Committee reviews applications to ensure a diverse variety of artwork is represented each year. Artists interested in future events are encouraged to contact the Rock Falls Tourism office to be added to the notification list.
Jones also highlighted several upcoming community events following Art in the Park, including the Taco Throwdown, a lumberjack competition at Selmi’s and the Halloween Lighted Golf Cart and UTV Parade, keeping the community calendar full as summer transitions into fall.
Art in the Park continues to blend public art, live entertainment and local craftsmanship into a family-friendly event that invites visitors to experience Rock Falls’ growing arts scene while supporting artists from across the region.
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