Announcing Second Fridays in the Arts District

March 8th, 6-9pm

Water Street Studios has teamed up with our neighbors Kiss the Sky and Hearth & Hammer to create the Batavia Arts District! Come see us the Second Friday of each month for an immersive experience for the senses.

Water Street Studios

• Gallery Opening Reception, 6-9pm
• Cash Bar
• Resident Artist and Clay Lab open to shop and talk
• FREE to attend. Donations greatly appreciated to support this and future events like it.

Kiss the Sky

• Shoop Dogs band performance 6:30-8:30pm
• A female lead 4-piece band performing classic rock, blues, and modern rock with a powerful combo of soulful vocals and energetic guitar solos.
• Addie Cakes providing free mini cupcakes to show attendees (while supplies last!)
• Connecting doors to Water Street Studios will be open!

Hearth & Hammer

• Extended hours, open until 7pm
• Barry Sweets pop-up, a women-owned small business offering baked goods made from spent brewery grains to reduce waste.
• Annie Hex Tarot Readings
• Fernando’s Street Kitchen food truck out front from 6-9pm

Let us know you’re coming! Click the button below for more details

More info

In the Gallery

Jaime & Michael Foster: Fragile Tension

Dempsey Family Gallery

Exhibition runs March 8th - April 7th

“The Great Recession hit and after years of struggling, we moved back to Chicago in 2012. Jaime found a studio at Water Street not too long after, and we began to rebuild our lives. Twelve years later, we looked back and thought, those days when the light of relentless optimism met with the darkness of a pure intensive force, what would that look like? What kind of art show would that be?” says Michael

For more information visit their website here.

Barry Messer: Xenomorphs

Kane County Magazine Gallery

Exhibition runs March 8th - April 7th

“Anyone familiar with the movie Alien knows about the Xenomorph, based on designs by H. R. Giger. This fractal series is a loose interpretation of that concept” says Barry.

Learn more about this series here.

Community Gallery: Telling Her Story

Opening Celebration April 6th, 1 - 4pm

Exhibition runs March 16th - May 31st

We are pleased to announce over 50 local artists have been accepted into this exhibition celebrating the women they find inspiring! Included is a collaborative mirror wall and a new Emerging Artist feature. Mark your calendars and keep an eye out for more info!

Featured Classes

STEAM for Kids (ages 7-11)

March/April 2024

Instructor Rose White

STEAM classes add an “A” to STEM by introducing hands on art projects that help visualize concepts learned in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students will combine creative thinking, problem solving and cooperative learning to build a flying machine, a bridge, or a catapult! Click the button below to view all available classes.

Register Here

Draw and Sip: Sketchbook Workshop (21+)

March 23rd, 1-3pm

Instructor Kyle White

Learn to develop and hone your drawing skills and record your creative ideas, travels, memories and more. Students will explore sketchbook journal keeping complemented by a special wine tasting featuring a flight of Rose wines paired with a cheese tasting.

Register Here

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Did you know we have an outreach program? Here is what we’ve been up to.

CAPE (Chicago Arts Partnership in Education)

• WSS provides an instructor for Visiting Artist Fridays at varying West Chicago elementary schools.
• School of Art Instructors Carly Palmer and Rose White teach 10-15 students a session.
• Partnership began CAPE since Spring of 2023

Mercy Housing Batavia

• WSS provides art supplies and instructors for multi-generational classes and after school classes once a month to residents.
• Sponsored by Batavia United Way
• School of Art Instructor Carly Palmer teaches 30-50 students per semester.
• Partnership began Fall of 2023

Covenant Living at the Holmstad

• Art classes once a month at two assisted living sites.
• School of Art instructors Carly Palmer and Rose White provide instruction to 30 seniors per semester.
• Partnership has been ongoing for several years.

Batavia Public Art Initiative

Pop-up Exhition: Rebirth

Runs March 5th - May 5th

Reception March 16th, 4-6pm at Bar Evolution

Join The Batavia Public Art Initiative at the reception for our latest pop-up show, Rebirth. Appetizers provided, cash bar. Can't make the party? The works of 14 talented artists will be on display March 5th - May 5th.  

"Rebirth" explores the concept of new beginnings and starting afresh; a theme often associated with growth, transformation, and renewal. This is your opportunity to showcase the beauty and power of rebirth and its significance in our lives.

Bar Evolution Batavia

27 North River Street

Batavia, IL 60510