OREGON – The Coliseum Museum announced the opening of the Around the Farm Art Exhibit featuring 34 artists from across the northern Illinois area, on display from June 6 – July 12.

The art exhibit of 68 individual art pieces celebrates and highlights the importance of agriculture in our area.

The exhibit offers work in acrylic, mixed media, pastel, photography, oil, and watercolor. Artists who have submitted their work include Jean Apgar, Cindy Bear, Phyllis Bergagna, David Bingaman, Larry Bond, Jill Browne, Beverly Ashley Broyles, Tina Cannova, Craig Carpenter, Janet Cederlund, Bob Cholke, Dick Cholke, Janice Conkrite, Jane Erlandson, Kate May Fitch, Margi Forss, Laurie Friemuth, Jeanne Garrett, Roger Goodspeed, Steve Hart, Mary Howe, Bob Kapheim, Linnea Koch, Robert Krajecki, Bob Logsdon, Maggie Magnuson, Joy Meyer, Jean Pechtel, Joe Popp, Tamara Shriver, Donna Smith, Steve Toole, Lucinda Winterfield, and Julie Young. 

The exhibit will be judged by Nancie King Mertz of Rockford with awards presented at a reception from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 13 with music by Cheryl & the Down Home Boys. 

Nancie King Mertz has spent her lifetime painting in oil & pastel. She was awarded the Master Circle by Int’l Assoc. of Pastel Societies, Eminent Pastelist in 2018, and is a Master Signature member of Pastel Society of America, Degas Pastel Society & Chicago Pastel Painters. She has been a member of The Palette & Chisel of Fine Arts since 1988 and Plein air Painters since 2003. Nancie was a 3 year Instructor of Art at Eastern IL University where she received her MA in Painting two years after completing her BFA in Painting at the University of IL.  

 The Coliseum Museum mission is to present Art, Antiques, Americana and history through permanent and rotating exhibits, workshops, music, theater and more. Additional information can be found on the website, www.cmaaa.org and Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ColiseumMuseum/