The opportunities invite artists to showcase their creativity through a juried outdoor gallery and a year-long public sculpture exhibit.
The Art in the Park Outdoor Art Gallery will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature a juried exhibition of original artwork. A $250 cash award will be presented for Best of Show, as voted on by event attendees. Artists working in all fine art mediums are encouraged to apply, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and artisan crafts such as clay, fiber, glass, metal, paper, and wood. Live demonstrations are also welcome.
All artwork must be original, handcrafted, created, and exhibited by the approved artist. Applicants must submit at least three photos with their application, including one photo of their complete outdoor display setup, including a tent, and two or more photos of artwork they intend to exhibit or sell. Applications for the Outdoor Art Gallery are due by June 2, 2026.
Rock Falls Tourism is also seeking eight sculpture pieces for a rotating outdoor public art exhibit to be displayed for one year as part of the RB&W District Park Sculpture Walk. Selected artists will receive a $1,250 stipend, and artwork will be promoted through the Visit Rock Falls website, social media channels, the Otocast app, and on-site displays at RB&W District Park, which hosts numerous city events throughout the year.
All forms of outdoor sculpture will be considered, provided they meet submission requirements and the artist is able to deliver the work to the designated location on the scheduled installation date.
Applications for the Sculpture Walk are due by June 1, 2026.
More information is available at:
Artist agreement:
https://visitrockfalls.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/ARTIST-AGREEMENT-scultpure-2026.pdf
For more information, contact Melinda Jones, director of Rock Falls Tourism, at (815) 622-1106 or director@visitrockfalls.com.
