By Jeannette Carrington
The Wood River Heritage Council is currently hosting its annual Small Works Art Competition, which began on October 11 and will run through November 2, 2024. This year, the competition received an impressive 109 submissions, with 80 pieces being accepted. These works represent the talents of 67 artists from Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky.
Special congratulations are in order for Lewis & Clark students Jeannette Carrington and Kathryn Pelot. Carrington’s ceramic pieces, “Puffer Fish” and “Bronze Beauty,” and Pelot’s oil on canvas, “Conditional Color Still Life,” were all accepted into the competition.
Additionally, Fine Art Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Art Angela Hung had two ceramic pieces accepted and earned the second-place award for her piece “Contemplation.”
Visit the Small Works Art Competition at the Wood River Museum & Visitor’s Center before November 2 to immerse yourself in this celebration of creativity and local talent. It’s a perfect outing for art enthusiasts and curious minds alike. The exhibition will be open to the public until November 2. For more information, interested parties can call (618) 254-1993 or (618) 477-3935.
The Wood River Museum & Visitor’s Center is a fascinating place that delves into the rich history of Wood River, Illinois. Established in 1997 by the Wood River Heritage Council, the museum offers a variety of exhibits that highlight significant events and eras in the town’s past.
Some of the key exhibits include the Wood River Massacre of 1814: This exhibit details a tragic event in the town’s early history; Old Downtown: Showcasing the development and changes in the town’s central area over the years; The Flood of 1915: An exhibit that covers the impact of a major flood on the community; The World’s Largest Swimming Pool: Highlighting the opening of this massive pool in 1926; and Standard Oil’s Influence: Exploring how the arrival of Standard Oil transformed Wood River, including the construction of numerous Sears kit homes for workers.
The museum also features a Memorial Garden and Courtyard with native Illinois plants and a gazebo dedicated to Lewis and Clark. Visitors can learn about the famous explorers’ journey and see a model of Camp DuBois, where the Corps of Discovery trained before their expedition.
The museum is located at 40 West Ferguson Avenue, Wood River, IL, 62095. It is open to the public on Thursdays through Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. It’s a great place to explore the local history and see how the town has evolved over the years!
