about us
Riverfront Sculpture
Riverfront Sculpture
Riverfront Sculpture
We are delighted to announce that BAC member Ronald Hansen dedicated the public art piece along Bellevue's Scenic Byway during our Fishtival 2018 festivities. Ronald's concept of steamboat stacks and colorful fish is now installed for all of Bellevue and visitors to enjoy. Thank you to the community for its input in this multi-year process, and to the Public Art Selection Committee which developed the theme "Living, Flowing, Ever Changing." This project is being managed by the Byways of Iowa Foundation and the Northeast Iowa RC&D.
BAC Board Members
Riverfront Sculpture
Riverfront Sculpture
Our current BAC Board Members:
Dave Eischeid
M. Sue Sawvel
Allen Ernst
Joannie Kilburg
Julianne Couch
Linda Nudd
Kate Brooks
Jo Fifield
Carrie Weaver of the
Bellevue Chamber of Commerce
is a board member and advisor.
Great River Gallery
Riverfront Sculpture
Great River Gallery
We are so fortunate for the use of the Great River Gallery for individual showings by artists and also for our annual BAC Members Spring Exhibit.
The gallery is located at 116 North Riverview Drive, Bellevue, Iowa. Access to the gallery is available upon request by contacting Allen Ernst at 563.581.9197 (or 563.872.3388) or email at allenrernst@me.com.
Link here to the Great River Gallery website.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MINI SPRING ART EVENT - Virtual Exhibit
We are announcing a new Bellevue Arts Council event, the Mini Spring Art Art Event - Virtual Art Show, that can be viewed on the local Bellevue TV channel on Wednesday, June 17th, Friday, June 19th, Saturday, June 20th, at 2 P.M. and every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday through the 4th of July at 2 P.M. What makes this event different in character is that technology is the primary method of presenting and viewing the show and its artworks. It is wonderfully presented through the work of Joannie Kilburg, who collected the 15 artworks, then organized all into a wonderful presentation, along with an overview of the Bellevue Art Council's history and mission in the community.
This is a new and innovative approach to display our local artwork for people in the community to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes and perhaps purchase if they so desire. Come be a part of a new approach to fine art in Bellevue!
If you have any questions about this virtual exhibit, please contact Dave Eischeid at 563.542.7020.
THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES AND COMMITMENTS ARE CANCELLED DUE TO THE COVID19 HEALTH AND LIABILITY ISSUE
- Spring and Summer Members' Art Show scheduled for July 31st through August 2nd, and independent art exhibits sponsored by Bellevue Arts Council
- Fishtival for August 15, 2020
- Summer elementary reading group art activity for summer 2020
- 2nd Sunday art activities (currently renamed Community Arts Activities with an on-demand schedule)
- Art museum trip for summer 2020
- Mill Valley painting classes until further notice
- Live theater performance at Timberlake Playhouse or comparable venue
- Orphan Train presentation - will plan to reschedule for next year if possible
- Monthly Bellevue Arts Council face to face board meetings until further notice
ARTS EVENTS SPONSORED BY THE BELLEVUE ARTS COUNCIL
Great River Gallery Exhibits
Sunday Community Arts Event Schedule in conjunction with the River Ridge Brewery
Great River Gallery Exhibits
PLACE & RECEPTION DATE
The 7th Annual Spring Exhibition will be displayed in the Great River Gallery, 116 North Riverview, Bellevue, Iowa,
Friday evening, July 31st, from 5 - 8 p.m. with a reception and refreshments,
Saturday, August 1st, from 2 to 4 p.m.,
and Sunday, August 2nd, from 2 to 4 p.m.
This art exhibit is open to all public and BAC members in Bellevue and the surrounding areas.
The CALL FOR ART entry form for show exhibitors can be downloaded using the page link on the navigation bar at the top of this page entitled CALL FOR ART.
Details outlining location, guidelines, commission, delivery of artwork, conditions of artwork at delivery , and delivery dates to the Great River Gallery are further described in the page entitled CALL FOR ART. This form also includes description of the up to three artworks that are to be printed and submitted with the works for identification.
For this year's show, the drop off date for art delivery for the show is no later than Sunday, July 19th, from 12 to 2 P.M., or other arrangements may be made with Dave Eischeid for a delivery time.
Artists may pick up their artworks following the above events on Sunday, from 4 to 6 P.M. or they may leave them on the walls at the gallery for a later pickup. Arrangement for late pickup needs to be arranged by calling Dave Eischeid at 563.542.7020.
GUIDELINES
This is a non juried show open to any current BAC member. Member artists are invited to exhibit up to three works of art. Non members may enter artwork by joining and paying the $25 membership dues at the time their artwork is delivered for exhibition.
SALE COMMISSION
The Bellevue Arts Council requires a 20% commission from the artist on any work sold during the show.
GREAT RIVER GALLERY OVERVIEW
The Great River Gallery exhibits ongoing artworks from resident artists throughout the year. In addition, specific scheduled shows by individual artists and the BAC Members' Spring Exhibit celebrate area artists creations in photography, 2D studio works, jewelry making, fabric art, woodworking and sculpture.
Annual Fishtival in August
Sunday Community Arts Event Schedule in conjunction with the River Ridge Brewery
Great River Gallery Exhibits
Our annual 2020 Fishtival event is scheduled this year on August 15th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Featuring area artists and crafters, this daylong event showcases talent through the area. Arts, crafts, food, music, Ski Bellevue's water ski show, and more fill the day. Some areas for arts, crafts, and vendor booths may still be available. If interested, please contact Dave Eischeid (d.c.eischeid@gmail.com) for registration form or link to a Fishtival Entry Form Page above, that must be turned in no later than August 1st.
Another event this year, the Chalk the River Walk will also take place during Fishtival. Artists ages 16+ will be able to utilize their talents while chalking a 5' x 5' area along the river. Ten spots are available for this event during Fishtival activities. Prizes will be awarded at the close of the event that day. If interested, contact Joannie Kilburg (joannie.kilburg@gmail.com) for registration materials. These Materials are to be turned in no later than August 10.
We will also have all our children's and family-friendly art workshops (make and take art) in the Great River Gallery from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. foregoing summer heat to air conditioning for everyone's comfort.
If you'd like to view some photos from last year's Fishtival, use this link to access the Fishtival page or use the link at the top of this Home Page.
If you would like to be an artist participant in the Fishtival, link here to the Entry and Registration Information Form which is located on the Fishtival Entry Form page.
FISHTIVAL OVERVIEW
The annual Fishtival event in August is a celebration of our heritage as a community on the Mississippi through all forms of art including dance, media arts, and folk and traditional music. Some activities included in the past are an art exhibit, on-location painters, fish sculptures, fish related children's hands-on projects, DNR fish demonstrations, children's dance troupes, trolling musicians, a mermaid, and a fish boil. Added in 2017 were informal adult art experiences in the gazebo, which included a clay handbuilding project, chalk pastel and watercolor. In 2018 we added a family-friendly art workshops held in the Great River Gallery that included a wide variety of studio activities.
The mission of the BAC is to present a variety of unique, artistic expressions and experiences to children, students, and community. The purpose of Fishtival is to attract tourists to the Bellevue, Iowa, through the promotion of art.
Sunday Community Arts Event Schedule in conjunction with the River Ridge Brewery
Sunday Community Arts Event Schedule in conjunction with the River Ridge Brewery
Sunday Community Arts Event Schedule in conjunction with the River Ridge Brewery
Come join us at the Great River Gallery, 116 North Riverview, Bellevue, next door to the River Ridge Brewery, that is open for the community arts events, offering specialty beverages if desired. See you there!
CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
The Cardmaking class with Karen Schloss scheduled for April 19th is cancelled until further notice. We will let you know when there is an alternate date set for the class.
MAY 3, 2020 - Orphan Train Presentation - May 1 P.M. to 2 P.M.
CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
SUNDAY COMMUNITY ARTS EVENT OVERVIEW
Our Sunday Community Arts events allow children, adults, and families to explore the arts. These events started in December 2016 and are held on scheduled Sundays in the Great River Gallery from 2-4 p.m. Participants have access to the River Ridge Brewery next door while enjoying writing, music, and studio art. Some of the Sunday community arts events have included watercolor, pastel, calligraphy, jewelrymaking, recycled art, cardmaking, painting, sculpture, authors, theater, historical re-enactments of prominent writers and poets of the past, and musical experiences. The sky is the limit in what you may experience. Our goal is to maintain a very diverse range of arts activities that include music, theater, studio art, dance, and adventures in written expression. When applicable we incorporate brief examples of art from the past for inspiration and education for our community.
Come and enjoy! Explore your creative side!
Explore Art in Bellevue!
Mill Valley Resident Art Experience
Sunday Community Arts Event Schedule in conjunction with the River Ridge Brewery
We've had so much wonderful community participation in Bellevue promoting the arts because of enthusiastic support from the school districts and community. This year we have decided to rethink approaches to community need and requests for alternative avenues of sharing the arts with our community. In addition to the 2nd Sunday events and Mill Valley painting classes for residents, we have a series of outreach opportunities for all citizens in Bellevue. This year, we offered a Paint to Create 2-hour class on a Friday evening painting a beautiful Mississippi scene in acrylic. In addition, we are wrapping up the 5 series painting sessions in either acrylic or oil with teacher assistance to render a painting of one's own subject matter. As time goes by this year, we'll be offering more diverse avenues of creative expression for our Bellevue community. As always, classes being offered will be shown on the Bellevue TV station and in the newspaper. We hope to see you at our future events.
Summer Reading Program 2019
Dave Eischeid worked with 50 Bellevue students (2 groups) who repainted the fence behind River Ridge Brewery with a fish-themed mural. They worked on their drawings on June 12 in the afternoon and painted the fish on the fence June 26th. Volunteers included Maury Anderson, Meg Baught, Earl and Megan Sawvel, and Ray and Mary Kubick. It's an adorable mural by our local children. When you are in that area, make sure and check it out!
Mill Valley Resident Art Experience
Mill Valley Resident Art Experience
Mill Valley Resident Art Experience
Two to three times a month Dave and Carol Eischeid, and Sue and Earl Sawvel take turns giving painting classes to any Mill Valley residents who choose to attend. Karen Dunne consistently helps with every class as well and a special "Thank You!" goes to her for her devotion to what we are trying to achieve at Mill Valley for its residents. Our painting classes are an hour and a half in length giving residents the opportunity for mental focus, dexterity, and critical decision making skills while producing very personal artworks that could include subject matter from horses and barns to florals. We love working with the residents of Mill Valley, knowing these activities add to their enrichment opportunities and quality of life. Random discussions, camaraderie, and life stories add depth and a smile to the residents' day as well.
Field Trips and Other Inspirations
Mill Valley Resident Art Experience
Mill Valley Resident Art Experience
March 9, 2018, we took a caravan field trip to three different Dubuque locations to experience very diverse expressions of art. It was a wonderful day of discussion, inspiration, comaraderie, and art experience. We began at the Sinsinawa Mound Center for Gail Chavenelle's Spirit and Space Exhibit, but we couldn't leave without admiring the chapel's beautiful stained glass windows, then heading for the bakery and gift shop for goodies. Then on to lunch at 7Hills, followed by the Amanda Steines Exhibit at Gallery C in downtown Dubuque. We finished up the day with two shows at the Dubuque Art Museum, the Charles Thwaites Exhibit and the Paper: Medium and Message Show.
July of 2018, BAC members took a trip to see "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll .
This year will be attending another theater presentation, Mama Mia, on July 28th, 2019, at the Timber Lake Playhouse in Mt. Carroll.
Past field trips have included art museum tours to Milwaukee, Chicago, Dubuque, and Mt. Carroll. Future events/possibilities we are working on for our members are an art workshop at the Birds and the Bees, a Rose Frantzen Gallery Tour, and a tour of the 22 murals in Dubuque.