Beloit Art Center: Celebrating 25 Years of Finding Creativity Within!

This year marks a milestone: the Beloit Art Center's (BAC) 25th anniversary!

Since 2000, our beloved cultural cornerstone has been encouraging area artists to Find Creativity Within, partnering with the community to teach, display, and promote the arts.

We hope you’ll join us on July 19th to celebrate. The festivities will kick off at 5 p.m. in the alley and will feature two local bands, Nick and Friends (5-6:30 p.m.) and Mr. Pink (7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.), with refreshments and food trucks on hand for the entire evening.

“On behalf of the Greater Beloit Economic Development Corporation (GBEDC), we congratulate the BAC and all of their volunteers, supporters, and artists on this special occasion,” said GBEDC President and CEO Drew Pennington. “GBEDC owned the building that houses the BAC from our inception until 2020, and we strongly support the arts as a means to bring people together and activate our City Center.”

During the event, the BAC will also be dedicating the vibrant mural that now graces the back of its historic building… You might be surprised to hear what inspired its creation.

A Legend in the Making

The winning selection, one of eleven submitted to the Arts Center for consideration, is titled “Super Hero Turtle.” It was created by muralist Lynda Wallish, a resident of Beloit with over twenty years' worth of brush strokes under her belt.

“I've been making art and making stuff my entire life. I was a single mom with two small children. I was crazy-wacky and fortunate enough to successfully support the three of us as a self-employed illustrator/artist. The kids both launched successfully, allowing me more freedom to sink into the maker version of me,” says the “About Me” section on Wallish’s website, www.lyndawallisartistmaker.com.

The mural, a nod to the various turtles associated with the community of Beloit through the years, was proudly sponsored by many in the community, including the GBEDC.

“The 22-foot-tall superhero turtle in this mural will surprise viewers. The superhero aspect of the largest turtle will appeal to youngsters and all those young at heart,” said Wallish in her artist description. “Turtles have been the spirit animal of Beloit for hundreds of years, as evidenced by the turtle effigy mound at Beloit College and the naming of Turtle Creek. A turtle is the unofficial mascot of Beloit College. The Beloit Historical Society's logo is based on a turtle. For 26 years, the minor league softball team in Beloit was known as the Beloit Snappers. This mural design will expand the turtle legend of the area.”

A Stroke of Genius

The Art Center’s 25th anniversary will also include a Juried Anniversary Exhibition to showcase all the talented artists who have been a part of the journey.

Whether you’re looking to exhibit new work or want to revisit a piece from your original show, the BAC is expanding its gallery spaces to feature as many artists as possible! Click here for more details or to register!