Davenport, Iowa (September 3, 2026) –The Rock Island Art Guild and the Figge Art Museum have partnered since 2016 to present the Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition, an annual showcase of contemporary artwork by artists living within 200 miles of the Figge.
Organized by the Rock Island Art Guild since 1970 and hosted by the Figge since 2016, the exhibition provides artists with an opportunity to exhibit their work in an art museum. It also introduces Figge visitors to the talented artists throughout the region.
This year’s juror, Katherine Alcauskas, Chief Curator at the Chazen Museum of Art at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, selected the exhibition’s artworks from digital submissions. The call for entries drew more than 1,000 submissions, from which Alcauskas selected 65 artworks by 58 artists. She will also select 11 award recipients, who will be announced during the exhibition’s opening celebration on September 10. The event is free and open to the public.
Exhibition Awards:
- First Place: $1,500
- Second Place: $750
- Third Place Founder’s Award in Honor of Art Guild Member William Hannan: $500
- Zeivel Harris Sculpture Award: $500
- Digital Art, Performance, Sound, and Video Award: $300
- Honorable Mention: $100
- People’s Choice Award: $100
- Children’s Choice Award: $100
Sally MacMillan Watercolor Awards:
- First Place: $1,000
- Second Place: $500
- Third Place: $250
“This exhibition celebrates the remarkable talent in our region and offers a snapshot of what artists are thinking about right now. Collectively, the works capture the artistic pulse of a particular place and moment, revealing shared themes, personal narratives, and timeless artistic concerns,” said Joshua Johnson, Co-Senior Curator at the Figge Art Museum, “The Figge and the Rock Island Art Guild are thrilled to partner in showcasing the breadth and vitality of art being made in our community.”
The Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition will be on view in the Figge’s fourth-floor gallery through January 10, 2027.
Exhibition Sponsors:
Premier Sponsor: Rock Island Art Guild
Media Sponsor: KLJB FOX-18
Companion Program:
Thursday, September 10, 2026, 6 PM
Exhibition Celebration & Awards Ceremony
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 6 PM
Brief presentations by artists featured in the 44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition.
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6 PM
Brief presentations by artists featured in the 44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition.
About the Figge Art Museum:
The Figge Art Museum is dedicated to bringing art and people together. Located on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport, the Figge is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building houses a renowned collection, engaging exhibitions, and community-centered programs. For more information, visit www.figgeartmuseum.org.
