Arts & Culture
Experience the Arts
On This Page: Kish Art Gallery | Student Art Gallery | Exhibitions On Campus | Exhibition Proposals | The Kamelian | Kish Art Collection
Kish offers a variety of artistic and cultural experiences, from the Permanent Art Collection and Art Gallery exhibitions to poetry readings, music recitals and events featuring student, faculty and regional artists. Student clubs and campus programs help bring art, music and literature to life throughout the year.
View Upcoming Art Exhibitions & Events
About The Gallery
The Kishwaukee College Art Gallery strives to unite the community through education, participation, dialogue, and celebration of artistic, cultural, and academic diversity. It presents high-quality student, professional, and academic exhibitions in an inclusive environment that welcomes a variety of voices, ideas, and formats.
Our gallery consists of:
- Approximately 2,578 square feet
- More than 20 pedestals of various sizes
- Four portable walls, each 7’ H × 6’ W × 2’ D
- Retractable ceiling projector and screen
Experience the Gallery
Explore diverse exhibits at the Kishwaukee College Art Gallery—featuring art, culture, and innovation.
Student Art Gallery
Managed by the Student Art Gallery Club, the Student Art Gallery, B1423, is a dynamic, student-run space that showcases the creativity and talent of our campus community. Featuring individual and small group exhibitions, the gallery highlights current student work throughout the academic year, offering an ever-changing display of artistic expression and innovation.
Spring 2026 Juried High School Student Art Exhibition
Kishwaukee College will host a Juried High School Student Art Exhibition for district high school students. This event offers regional student artists the chance to:
- Display original artwork in a professional gallery setting
- Build their exhibition résumé
- Compete for prizes
- Learn more about pursuing a college education in art
- Submission Guidelines
- Each local high school instructor may submit up to 25 student artworks.
- Submitted works must be categorized by media.
- The exhibition will be juried by Kishwaukee College art faculty.
- Step 1: Complete and Submit Forms
- Individual Artwork Submission Form (also serves as artwork label)
- Visual Artwork Submission Summary Form
- Step 2: Label Artwork
- Attach two copies of the Individual Artwork Submission Form to:
- Back of each 2D artwork
- Bottom of each 3D artwork
- Use 1–2 pieces of painter’s tape (or similar) for easy removal—Do not use spray adhesive.
- Attach two copies of the Individual Artwork Submission Form to:
- Visual Artwork Submission Summary Form Due: January 30, 2026, at 3:30 PM
- Artwork Delivery:
- Thursday, February 5 & Friday, February 6
- Schedule a time with Kailey Bednarek or at 815-825-9828. Allow 15–30 minutes for check-in.
- Closing Reception:
- Thursday, February 26, 2026, 5:30–6:30 PM in the Art Gallery
- Artwork Pick-Up: After reception on February 26 through March 2, 2026
- 2D Artwork
- Must be ready to hang:
- Works on paper: matted and/or framed
- Works on canvas: stretched or include hanging grommets
- Hanging hardware must be attached to the back of the mat or frame.
- Options for matted pieces:
- Wire the mat
- Use strong monofilament (fishing line)
- Attach weight-appropriate Command Strips (or similar Velcro strips)
- Framed pieces must be wired due to weight.
- Must be ready to hang:
- 3D Artwork
- Must be finished and ready for display
- Include special display instructions if needed.
Best in Show
- Now You See Me by Courtney Richied, Sycamore HS
Sculpture
- 1st Place – Metal Bars and Hearts in Jars by Macklynn Rager, Oregon HS
- 2nd Place – Feminine Aneurysm by Audrey Emmens, Hiawatha HS
- 3rd Place – Impulsive by Sienna Seebach, Rochelle HS
- Honorable Mention – Leaning Tower of Tea-sa by Aisling Emmens, Hiawatha HS
- Honorable Mention – Binding my Time by Sophia Oltman, Oregon HS
- Honorable Mention – The Most Beautiful Man to Ever be Mistaken to Be Alive by Kathryn Groves, Rochelle HS
- Honorable Mention – Cardboard Lego by Chris Welter, Rochelle HS
Painting
- 1st Place – Curiosity by Issy Smith, DeKalb HS
- 2nd Place – Scars of Life by Christina Blanchard, DeKalb HS
- 3rd Place – Insomnia by Marcus Montgomery, DeKalb HS
- Honorable Mention – A Unique Adjustment to Life by Merit Namaste-Rose, Oregon HS
- Honorable Mention – Echoes of the Fruit by Edona Ajdini, Sycamore HS
- Honorable Mention – Vanitas Fictus by Issy Smith, DeKalb HS
Photography/Digital
- 1st Place – Untitled by Gialan Zuniga, DeKalb HS
- 2nd Place – Forgotten memories by Everyiel Smith, Rochelle HS
- 3rd Place – Untitled by Daisy Dominguez, DeKalb HS
Mixed Media
- 1st Place – Torn by Selfworth by Teagan Auld, Rochelle HS
- 2nd Place – Heart to Brain and Brain to Heart by Brenda Cuautle, Sycamore HS
- 3rd Place – Blues by Grace Tremble, Oregon HS
Color Drawing
- 1st Place – Memory Lane by Denia Rincón, Rochelle HS
- 2nd Place – Resistance by Hannah Hart, Sycamore HS
- 3rd Place – Sweetened Death by Litzy Agaton, DeKalb HS
- Honorable Mention – Sweet Tooth by Lilly Velez, DeKalb HS
- Honorable Mention – Collective Chaos by Hope Thomas, Sycamore HS
Black & White Drawing
- 1st Place – Statically Shocked by Kyrie Cragin, Rochelle HS
- 2nd Place – The Protector by Samantha Minchala, Sycamore HS
- 3rd Place – Picture of me by Gabriele Hoyle, Oregon HS
Ceramics
- 1st Place – Waterfall by Alexi Rodriguez, DeKalb HS
- 2nd Place – Weeping Lilly by Mya Livious, DeKalb HS
- 3rd Place – Imprint of the Ancients by Yana Bartkiv, Rochelle HS
Exhibition Proposals
Kishwaukee College Art Gallery (KCAG) invites submissions for art exhibitions in all media, including art, design, craft, and other academic works.
Proposals are reviewed periodically by an exhibition committee composed of Kishwaukee College faculty and staff.
For further questions, please contact Miles Halpern, Gallery Committee Chair, at mhalpern@kish.edu or Judson Curry, Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, at jcurry2@kish.edu.
The Kamelian
The Kamelian is Kishwaukee College’s award-winning literary and arts journal, showcasing student writing and artwork. Published each spring since 1968, it features short stories, poetry, essays, photography, and visual art. Submissions are accepted at the end of the fall semester and early spring.
- Kamelian 2024 Publication
- Kamelian 2023 Publication
- Kamelian 2022 Publication
- Kamelian 2021 Publication
- Kamelian 2020 Publication
- Kamelian 2019 Publication
- Kamelian 2018 Publication
- Kamelian 2017 Publication
- Kamelian 2015 Publication
- Kamelian 2014 Publication
- Kamelian 2012 Publication
- Kamelian 2011 Publication
- Kamelian 2009 Publication
- Kamelian 2007 Publication
- Kamelian 2006 Publication
Art Collection
The Kishwaukee College Permanent Art Collection features work by regional, national and international artists that enrich the campus environment and reflect a range of artistic styles and perspectives. Built through the generosity of local artists and community partners, the collection continues to support learning, connection and engagement with the arts at Kish.