Fascination: Art & Curiosity and 2026 Student & Instructor Exhibit

Fascination: Art & CuriosityWhat are you drawn to? What captures your interest, raises questions, or invites a closer look? This open call exhibit seeks artwork inspired by the fascinations, ideas, objects, questions, and fixations that pull us in and refuse to let go. ......More

Fascination: Art & CuriosityWhat are you drawn to? What captures your interest, raises questions, or invites a closer look? This open call exhibit seeks artwork inspired by the fascinations, ideas, objects, questions, and fixations that pull us in and refuse to let go. Submissions may investigate the things that captivate attention, spark wonder, or provoke inquiry through varied artistic ways. From illustrated or painted still life studies to alluring sculptures, carefully curated curio cabinets to wildly interpretive innovations, with explorations ranging from playful to mysterious, deeply researched to completely fabricated, this exhibit is sure to strike intrigue. Artwork Drop-off: Tue – Sat March 3 – 7, 2026 11am – 5pmArtwork Pick-Up: Tue – Sat May 19 – 23, 2026 11am – 5pm 2026 Student & Instructor ExhibitStudents and instructors of The Art Center are invited to exhibit artwork made in or inspired by Art Center classes offered from January 2025 – present. Instructors of classes are invited to share their class example artwork or their personal artwork. Artworks from one day workshops to multi week classes hosted both off-site and on-site qualify. All media and styles are welcome, as long as the work reflects learning, experimentation, or inspiration gained through The Art Center programming. Artwork Drop-off: Tue – Sat March 3 – 7, 2026 11am – 5pmArtwork Pick-Up: Tue – Sat May 19 – 23, 2026 11am – 5pm

Quincy Art Center, 1515 Jersey St., Quincy, IL, 62301, United States

Permanent Collection - Guest Curated by Terrell & Vicki Dempsey

Quincy Art Center is proud to share this year’s annual Permanent Collection exhibition, featuring selections curated by guest curators Terrell and Vicki Dempsey. With more than 400 works housed in The Art Center’s permanent collection, their task was no small feat. The ......More

Quincy Art Center is proud to share this year’s annual Permanent Collection exhibition, featuring selections curated by guest curators Terrell and Vicki Dempsey. With more than 400 works housed in The Art Center’s permanent collection, their task was no small feat. The result is a thoughtfully chosen selection that invites visitors to explore both the depth of the collection and the stories behind some of its most compelling pieces. The permanent collection serves as an important cultural repository, persevering local and regional artworks alongside pieces by nationally and internationally recognized artists. Visitors may be surprised to discover names such as Gertrude Abercrombie and Neysa McMein represented in the collection, and yes, there is even a Picasso. Together, these works reflect a rich artistic legacy that connects Quincy to the broader history of art. The exhibition also highlights the continued growth of the collection. The most recent acquisition, added this past fall, is This Way to Waseda (2003), an encaustic work by local artist Joe Conover. Its inclusion underscores The Art Center’s ongoing commitment to supporting regional artists while preserving their contributions for future generations.Quincy Art Center is excited to share the Dempseys’ selections with the community and to shine a light on the importance of the permanent collection. Through careful preservation and public access, The Art Center ensures that our region’s artistic heritage remains visible, valued, and accessible for years to come.

Quincy Art Center, 1515 Jersey St., Quincy, IL, 62301, United States

Opening Reception for Permanent Collection Exhibit (Curated by Vicki & Terrell Dempsey)

IL

Members First Friday

Members and guests are invited to Quincy Art Center at 1515 Jersey St for a special evening in conversation with Guest Curators Terrell and Vicki Dempsey. Elizabeth Swick, Director of Exhibitions, will conduct a Q&A session with the Dempseys around their artistic intere......More

Members and guests are invited to Quincy Art Center at 1515 Jersey St for a special evening in conversation with Guest Curators Terrell and Vicki Dempsey. Elizabeth Swick, Director of Exhibitions, will conduct a Q&A session with the Dempseys around their artistic interests and selections for the permanent collections exhibit that will be on display. Light refreshments will be served.

Quincy Art Center, 1515 Jersey St., Quincy, IL, 62301, United States