One of my favorite little hidden gems in Rockford! This place is an art studio and gallery. They do…read moreopen studio where you can pick a painting size and a picture. They give you printed step by step instructions to follow and all of the supplies. Someone is always there if you need help. They do loaded brush night where you can bring food and alcohol and paint a predetermined painting all led by an instructor. They have mixed media projects which are really fun. There is a gallery upstairs of local artist work and is great to browse during class breaks. The owners, Tabatha and Therese, are amazing and very passionate. My moms group does private parties frequently and have taken classes with both instructors. Both are awesome, patient and wonderful at teaching people like me with no experience at all. I have done loaded brush night and mixed media. Can't wait to try open studio. One huge tip- Public calendars come out every month on the 8th for the following month. Most sell out fast as space is limited. I have an alarm set every 8th to remind me to look at the studio calendar! Can't wait for my class next week!

Agree with a previous poster. This place is a gem in Rockford!…read more Just took a mixed media class last night at this studio. What a great experience. The class was small so there was more individual attention to our art, along with personal and great conversation with the owner/artist/instructor. She offers a variety of classes in different mediums so there is something for everyone. And if you have had limited art classes as I have, coming here with personalized instruction is perfect. Check out the website and see what is being offered the rest of the month, and June's schedule is soon to be posted. And don't forget to check the art gallery on the main floor and upstairs by local artists. Definitely some good stuff in there. Most assuredly, I will be coming back.

What an outstanding art venue. There are some outstanding pieces of Art created in many forms. I…read morewas so thankful to stop in while browsing along the shops and eateries on 1st street.

Located on the main commercial street, the Next Picture Show is a great looking space with wooden…read morefloors, brick interior walls, good lighting and friendly people. They sponsor numerous open juried exhibits for area artists to enter each year. The art gallery is used for art shows, recitals, receptions, or any event that is deemed special. In 2003-2004 this vintage 1854 building underwent complete restoration recreating the 1898 facade look and retaining the original wood floors, tin ceilings, and internal structures where possible. In the beginning of 2005, The Next Picture Show Fine Arts Center became a 501 (3c) non-profit organization. The Art Study, on the lower level, is used for art workshops and classes, student art exhibitions, and meetings of the art community.

Great pieces that people on a budget can afford. The actual artist was at the shop the weekend we…read moredropped in and he is a great down to earth person.

From the owner: The gallery in Galena opened in 1972 showing the watercolors ofCarl Johnson and continues doing…read morethat.

Tucked away in this very scenic rural spot outside of Elizabeth, and off Elizabeth/Scales Mound…read moreRoad, is Henry Matthiessen's Stone Art studio. While it's a little tricky to find, just turn off at #284 Snipe Hollow. That is well marked. Then make you way in to the end of the road, maybe a half-mile. Hank makes art pieces from native stone, and has a superb collection of scenic photography-views of many local landscapes and more from around the country and world. I chatted with him on my visit here for quite awhile and also discovered he conducts scenic tours for anyone who likes to take scenic shots in and around Jo Daviess County. He is one enthusiastic resident of The Driftless Area, and one experienced artist and photographer. He has a new gallery under construction at the moment. And monthly open house events in conjunction with a local artist's group with scheduled driving tours of area galleries. Hank's studio is a great stop if you happen to be in Galena/Elizabeth.

From the owner: Stoned Art Studio & Gallery is an escape back to nature featuring Henry Matthiessen III's landscape…read morephotography. Portfolios include Jo Daviess County, The Mississippi Valley, and Stoned Art on Road capturing various points across the USA. Henry Matthiessen III is also a minimalism artist decorating space & time using Earth - Wind - Fire creating Stoned Candle Oil Lamps, Stoned Wall Sconce Oil Lamps and Stoned Wind Chimes in his stunning rural hilltop studio & gallery near Galena, Illinois. Refreshments are always on hand, restroom available.

Local art for sale here. We saw some fun and quirky stuff. Picked up their card, they also have a…read morelocation in Dubuque Iowa.

I liked this gallery a lot but didn't have a chance to spend much time in it. They feature many…read moredifferent styles of artwork here. There are paintings and blown glass, lots of cards, ceramics, photographs. If you appreciate beautiful things, I'd suggest a stop here.

This modest studio and school specializes in watercolor classes and workshops. The atmosphere is…read morefriendly, relaxed and noncompetitive. The workshops are for all levels and conducted by some of the best artists around: Bridget Austin, Tom Francesconi, Karen Knutson, Ratindra Das, Joe Fattingis, to name a few. Groups are 12 students or less and there is lots of personal attention. Prices are modest, usually $70-90 a day and workshops run from 2 to 4 days. Janesville has a number of very good restaurants and lots and lots of parks including the wonderful Rotary Gardens. The Baymont Inn gives a corporate discount to students at L'Atelier.

Once a year around labor day they provide the ability to command their steam engine for a…read morereasonable price. Not only do you get to run it but also fire it. I did this as a 70th birthday gift for a train enthusiast and was worth every penny. After calling around to places in Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana that run historic trains, this was the only one that would allow you to run a steam locomotive instead of just a diesel. I would highly recommend this to anybody who has a love for trains. The people who run it also are good hearted souls and combined with the experience itself provide for a memorable day. I will recommend this to all my friends and family.