EVENTS - SAVE THE DATE!

Friday, October 11: Second Fridays in the Arts District, 6-9pm

Saturday, October 26: WSS hosting Batfest Trick-or-Treaters, 10am-12pm

Friday, November 8-11: Winterfest Art Market

Sunday, November 17th: Water Street Writers

Full Events Calendar

Second Fridays in the Arts District

Water Street Studios, Kiss the Sky, Hearth & Hammer

October 11th, 6-9pm

At Water Street Studios

• “Inform(al)” a group show by Praxis in the Dempsey Family Gallery & KC Magazine Gallery
• “the missing piece” by Georgia Schwender in the Kane County Magazine Gallery
• "Taking Flight" an Empowering Outreach Exhibition in the Community Gallery Upstairs
• Makers Showcase and Sale in the Clay Lab
• Cash Bar with select beer, wine and mixed drinks

Kiss the Sky

• Live Jazz Music on the Are You Experienced Stage provided by The Southside Heights. The performance will take place from 6:30pm until 8pm. Southside Heights is an ensemble consisting of musicians from the Naperville/Aurora area. Mark Cabinian on saxophone, Ariyo Akinyemi on bass, Parker Belonio on piano, and Gustavo Flores on Drums. Southside Heights is a jazz ensemble with an Afro Latin emphasis. The band strives to keep the traditional jazz sound known and appreciated by not always striving for elegance, but for culture.
• Free and Scrumptious Baked Goods provided by Addie Cakes and Kiss The Sky.
• New Release Friday featuring Charli XCX, Jelly Roll, Hermanos Gutierrez, The Linda Lindas, Dawes, La Femme and many many more!!!

Hearth & Hammer

• Pierogi Rig food truck
• Button Up Accessories Charm Necklace workshop

https://www.buttonup.store/product-page/charm-necklace-workshop-preorder)

This event is FREE to attend. Donations to Water Street Studios are gratefully accepted to make this and other events like it possible.

Let us know you’re coming!

BatFest 2024

Join us Oct 26th for Downtown Trick-or-Treating, 10am-12pm! Water Street Studios will have a simple craft and candy for little ghosts, ghouls, and goblins.

Winterfest Art Market

Nov 8th - 10th

The holidays will be here before you know it! Get a jump start on your holiday shopping with the added bonus of supporting local fine art and artisan vendors. Find vendors throughout the Water Street Studios gallery, the Dock at 150 First Street, and Hearth & Hammer. Kiss the Sky will have live music along with everything you need for the music lover in your life. Save the date and stay tuned for more updates!

Water Street Writers Fall Show

November 17th, doors open at 5pm, event begins at 5:30pm

Water Street Writers is a curated reading series featuring local authors from the suburbs of Chicago. Experience Water Street Writers four precious Sundays a year.

They revolve, but are always on a Sunday now in the months of September, November, February, and April. Doors open at 5pm, event begins at 5:30pm.

Four readers will perform their short works of prose and poetry. This event has a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds go to the featured authors. Drinks and snacks available at the cash bar.

Interested in reading some of your work? Contact Cathy Borders at [email protected].

Learn More

GALLERIES

“Inform(al)” by Praxis

Opening Reception Oct 11th, 6-9pm

Exhibition runs Oct 11th - Nov 3rd

This exhibition presents work from Praxis—a collective of eleven women artists formed in 2019. No singular medium or style defines this group. Their work is represented, in part, through performance, fiber art, mixed media, found (or gifted) objects, natural materials, alternative painting processes, ceramics and collage. While not an exhaustive list, this eclectic use of materials offers inquiries into domestic labor, consumption, ritual, our relationship with each other and nature, repair and healing, memory, vulnerability, fragility, and perseverance. The very lack of an easily definable category with which to place their work is also what connects them. Since the 1960s, artists have increasingly opted to work with materials, processes, and content that challenge the traditional distinctions between high and low art. These women belong to a lineage of artists who reject the traditional, formal notions of art which have, historically, shaped the canon.

The artists were invited to explore the question “What informs your work?” Each artist responded by choosing an object, or a curated collection of objects, accompanied by a description detailing their relevance. These objects range from academic and spiritual texts, artists’ books, photographs and digital stills to an abandoned sock, fossils, beehives, and eggs. These various objects also reveal shared interests. The numerous links between research, artworks, and artists create a constellation of connections versus a single star.

“The Missing Piece” By Georgia Schwender

Opening Reception Oct 11th, 6-9pm

Exhibition runs Oct 11th - Nov 3rd

"the missing piece" is a collection of ceramic and cyanotype works symbolizing experiences and emotions from the past year, dedicated to Anna Lee Schwender. Through metaphorical imagery, I explore the mother-daughter relationship. Ceramic hemispheres, glazed in soft yellow and paired with cyanotype, represent duality and the balance between light and dark—complete yet incomplete, much like this bond. Puzzle pieces, also in soft yellow with blue cyanotype, reflect individuality within unity. "Counting the Days," a series of ceramic squares, marks the passage of time, standing alone to highlight solitude while acknowledging connection. This work captures the complexity of relationships, emphasizing the interdependence and uniqueness within a whole. My reflections on aging, death, and balance add a deeply personal dimension to this collection.

Now Hanging in the Community Gallery

“Taking Flight”

Exhibition runs Sept 13th - Nov 3rd

Our next Community Gallery exhibit is all about soaring together in community! This exhibit highlights artists of all of ages from Mercy Housing. Residents at Mercy Housing were asked to create their very own bird for the collective art project. Make sure to come upstairs to visit! The Community Gallery is nestled amongst the 2D Resident Artist studios on the second floor.

Fun Fall and Holiday Classes

Artistic Pumpkin Carving Masterclass: Ages 16+

Have you always wondered how to make unique intricately carved, detailed artistic pumpkin?

Master the art of Pumpkin carving and learn tips and tricks from a Water Street Artist, and pumpkin carving master, Kelley Cappell in this 3 hour workshop. 

Spooky Collage Workshop: Ages 18+

Dive into the spooky spirit as you sketch, snip, and layer your way to creating a bewitching scene that's perfect for Halloween—and every year to come. With just a sprinkle of attention to detail, you'll craft a paper masterpiece that's sure to enchant.

Create your own Artistic Metal Ornaments

Learn to make your own lovely, unique, artistic ornament(s) crafted in tin in this one-hour class. 

These delightful one of a kind little metal ornaments will make the perfect seasonal artistic decoration or a unique and special gift for a loved one this holiday season. Ages 16+

Find these classes here!

Full course catalogue

SUPPORT THE ARTS

Water Street Studios depends on the generosity of our community to continue to provide artistic opportunities and support our mission to make art accessible to everyone. Please donate today towards our anniversary campaign! 

Make a Donation

PUBLIC ART

The Art of the Fox mural series is complete and ready for your enjoyment! The idea for the project came from partner organization, The Conservation Foundation, and was executed by Water Street Studios volunteer committee, The Batavia Public Art Initiative. Artists were asked to create a design that would connect people to nature, and celebrate the beauty and diversity of the Fox River. From this, ten unique works of art were selected to adorn the East facing wall of Batavia's City Hall. The selected artists; Jonathan Belair, Clara Brubaker, Sarah Engel, Cherylyn Gnadt, Marty Gniech, Lisa Holzl, CJ Hungerman, Myra Miller, Kailey Rorer, and Catherine Tilly; then had one month to complete their murals.

"Each window is beautiful, but there's something truly magical about the way these murals come together to make a vibrant gallery. The artwork is inspirational and makes me appreciate our landscape here in the Fox Valley. Also, having been a part of this project and seeing how the artists worked together, sharing supplies, and lifting one another up; as well as the dedication of the committee to execute this project – it just feels so good! Can't wait for the next open call!" says Bonnie Baumgartner, Co-chair Batavia Public Art Initiative.

The murals were received by Mayor Schielke of Batavia at a ribbon cutting on Oct. 2nd and celebrated at a community unveiling party on Oct. 5th.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Lumenaura

The City of Aurora’s inaugural illuminated art experience will light areas of downtown Aurora throughout October 2024. LUMENAURA® features immersive light-and-sound-based installations, magical projection mapping, interactive street art, dazzling live entertainment, a variety of food and beverage options, and more.

Exhibit includes: 60 lighted art installations, 6 live performance spaces, roving performers, circus arts, and a 200 drone display, all transforming 4 square blocks of Aurora’s historic downtown on the Fox River.

Free and family-friendly, the festivities begin at 6pm each evening.

Learn More