MC Art Collective

10/19/2026

Which piece stole your heart at this year’s Art Gala? 🎨❤️

And which one are you still kicking yourself for not bringing home? 👀

Kallie Bigham’s “Monet’s Pond” stole mine, although I could say that about so many of them!

Whether you scored a favorite in the silent auction, placed the winning bid during the live auction, or watched a piece you loved slip away, we want to hear about it!

What did you take home, and which piece is still the one that got away?

🖼️Show us in the comments.

10/03/2026

Tonight!!! We’re in FULL BLOOM💐

4:30 — Before the Bid— Live Music from Frank F Sidney’s Western Bandit Volunteers AND view the artwork on the patio

5:30 — Silent Auction

6:00 — Seat Call

6:30 — Live Auction

See you soon!💐
Aledo Opera House

10/02/2026

🌸 YOU BELONG HERE. 🌸

Our community art installation has officially bloomed in Central Park!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who had a hand in bringing this to life—from making flowers to building, creating, hauling, assembling and all the little things in between.

And an extra special shoutout to students: Madilyn Sandlin, Sammie Watkins, and Stormie Herrera, who have been such good sports helping with SO many things Art Gala related, including literally walking this entire installation from Mary Go Round to Central Park. 😂🌸
Mary Go Round generously let us use their space to store and build the installation through completion. So grateful for you and for this community 🙏💐

Now we want YOU to become part of it, too.

Whether you made a flower or you’re simply stopping by—grab a marker and sign. Leave your name. Let us know you were here. Because this was made by our community, for our community.

✨ Tonight it will be LIT UP after dark—ONE NIGHT ONLY in Central Park! ✨

Then tomorrow, the blooms move again to the Aledo Opera House patio for BEFORE THE BID at 4:30 PM.

Stop by. Take a picture. Sign your name.

🌸 YOU BELONG HERE. 🌸

We hope to see you tomorrow at the Art Gala!

10/02/2026

Our AP Art and Studio Art students began the mock-up for the Live Auction, and it only takes a minute or two before they warm up and completely take charge.

It’s incredible to witness.

They’re deciding what fits, finding balance, seeing the bigger picture, and putting ego aside, even with their own artwork in the mix. They quickly understand what’s best for the entire collection of PK–12 artists.

And I get to step back and watch.

They’re creating, curating, and collaborating and getting a glimpse into something that could even become a future career path. All while learning what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.

These moments are some of the biggest reminders of why I do what I do and place enormous value on the kind of learning that stays with them long after they leave the art room.

Watching them take ownership. Watching them problem-solve. Watching them realize their ideas matter. Watching something we’ve all worked so hard on come together in their hands.

And I’m learning to stop long enough to notice it. ❤️

10/01/2026

🌧️ A LITTLE RAIN CAN’T STOP THE BLOOM, but can prevent our walk 🌸

Unfortunately, Mother Nature has other plans for our Art Walk tonight, so we’re going to let the rain have its moment and cancel tonight’s Art Walk.
BUT… we’re not done blooming. 🌼
Our community installation will be placed in Central Park Friday afternoon, ready for you to see what happens when a community gets together, gets creative, and says, “Let’s try something new.”
We will have it all set up by 4:30 p.m. Saturday on the patio. Please join us for Before the Bid at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at the historic Aledo Opera House. Enjoy live music and preview the incredible artwork.
So dry off, save your walking shoes, and come see us Friday and Saturday. ❤️
The flowers may be getting rained on, but they’re still blooming.
We can’t wait to show you what you helped create.
🌸 We grow artists. We grow community. We bloom together.

10/01/2026

🌸 OUR FINAL BLOOMING ARTIST FEATURE IS TODAY! 🌸

But don’t worry if you missed one along the way…
you still have plenty of chances to see ALL of the artwork!

🎨 Walk the Art Walk in downtown Aledo through Friday, October 2
🌸 View the full collection on our website and social media
🎶 View auction pieces up close at Before the Bid on Saturday
🚶 Join us TONIGHT at 6 PM for our guided Art Walk tour!

And we’re saving something pretty special for the finale…

🌸 THE BIG REVEAL of our community art installation: PAINT THE TOWN… IN BLOOM! 🌸

Tonight’s tour and reveal are weather permitting. We’ll make the official call by 3 PM today, so please check our page for weather updates and any changes to the Art Week schedule.

We’ve been blooming all season, and we can’t wait to finally show you what we’ve been creating together. 🌸🎨🌼

09/30/2026

🌸 CELEBRATING OUR BLOOMING ARTISTS… AND WELCOMING NEW ONES. 🌸

Join us for community art, live music, and something NEW at this year’s Art Gala!

🎶 We’re thrilled to welcome Frank F. Sidney's Western Bandit Volunteers to the patio for the debut of…

✨ BEFORE THE BID ✨

Before the auction begins, enjoy an up-close look at the artwork, live music, refreshments, and time to connect with fellow art lovers & supporters.

Celebrate the artists who make this event possible, discover new voices, and see the pieces before they hit the auction block. Keep an eye out for who else has their eye on that piece you want 👀….
or simply come for the art, music, and community.

🌸 BEFORE THE BID
🎶 Frank F. Sidney’s Western Bandit Volunteers
🎨 4th Annual MC Art Collective Art Gala
🕰️4:30-5:30 pm
📍Aledo Opera House
Saturday, October 3

Come early. Put together your wishlist. Discover something new. Listen awhile. Then… let the bidding begin. 🎨

Going once….going twice…..
SOLD!

See you Saturday!

Aledo Opera House
Quad City Arts

09/29/2026

In case you missed it….
Mercer County High School senior Lucas Weeks & 5th grade student: Sitara Sloan from Mrs Duncan’s class at NBE, talk all things”Art Gala”, with the amazing Ty Tylor WRMJ Studios
Great Job!!👏 🤩😎💫❤️🎨
Mercer County SD #404 News

The MC Art Collective is gearing up for its fourth annual Art Gala next weekend. The event auctions off artwork from Mercer County School District students,

05/31/2026

Wow! Go check this out!!