Water Street Studios

Water Street Studios Water Street Studios is a nonprofit community arts center located in Batavia, Illinois. Public Hours: Fri-Sun: 12PM-4PM.
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WaTER STrEET StUDIOS is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit art center in Batavia, IL. Our mission is to make the arts accessible to the Fox Valley region and beyond. Our vision is to be a cultural hub in the Midwest. We offer high-quality programs that include art education classes, workshops, artist studios, monthly gallery exhibitions, events, and community outreach. Show your support for the arts by Becoming

a Member of Water Street Studios today. Please consider making a long lasting impact at Water Street Studios by making a one-time or recurring donation to support arts programming.

05/29/2026

Threads, texture, and color - this is how Sally paints.

On display now through June 6th are the works of Sally Sherrell. Sally is a quilter who blends a love of traditional techniques with a contemporary artistic voice. Each of her quilts is entirely handmade, from the piecing to the stitching, resulting in richly detailed works that can take up to a year to complete. She incorporates a variety of techniques, including appliqué and stuffed appliqué, to create inventive and expressive designs.

With a background in sculpture from Ball State University and over 25 years of quilting experience in her home studio, Sally brings a strong sense of form, texture, and craftsmanship to her work.

Video courtesy of Dave Morris

05/29/2026

How does nature teach us resilience? Hear exhibiting artist Jeanine Hill-Soldner's perspective on how this relates to her exhibition "Resilience and Transformation".

View this and other exhibits Fri/Sat/Sun from 12-4pm. On display through June 6th.

Video courtesy of Dave Morris

The gallery is closed today for a private event. Experience your next memorable moment in our carefully curated gallery ...
05/23/2026

The gallery is closed today for a private event.

Experience your next memorable moment in our carefully curated gallery space! Visit the event rentals page on our website to learn more or reach out to Erin at [email protected] for more info.

05/23/2026

What does it mean to choose your own path? Hear artist Maureen Gasek's perspective in her own words.

On display through June 6th is "Crossroads" by Artist Collective member Maureen Gasek. Visit the gallery this weekend Friday or Sunday 12pm-4pm or during the week by appointment.

"Crossroads is my journey on canvas—a series about choice, disruption, and finding my own way. It moves through those moments where life splits into forks and detours, where loss and possibility meet, and everything feels uncertain.

The surfaces hold memory. Marks disappear and return. Some paintings aren’t finished—they’ve been painted over, broken open, carried forward as something new. Like me, they hold what came before, shift, and insist on moving forward, even when the way isn’t clear.

Hard lines push against fluid movement, tension between control and release. Between following a path and carving your own. Between staying safe and stepping into freedom.

This work is personal, messy, unapologetic. It traces rupture, reinvention, and the stubborn pursuit of freedom on my own terms—not a clean journey, but a series of bold, uncertain moves.

Each piece asks me, and asks you:
Do you follow the road—or make your own?"

Join Maureen on Sunday, May 31st from 1-3pm for a guided art tour

Step inside the exhibition with artists Jeanine Hill-Soldner and Maureen Gasek for a guided tour of their work. Hear dir...
05/22/2026

Step inside the exhibition with artists Jeanine Hill-Soldner and Maureen Gasek for a guided tour of their work. Hear directly from the artists as they share the stories, ideas, and perspectives behind the exhibition.

"Crossroads" by Maureen Gasek is a powerful body of work exploring disruption, reinvention, and the courage to move forward through uncertainty. Her paintings hold memory, tension, and transformation — layered, broken open, and rebuilt. Come listen. Reflect. And ask yourself: what path are you choosing?

"Resilience and Transformation" by Jeanine Hill-Soldner is a body of work inspired by the quiet endurance of trees and the ever-changing relationship between humans and the natural world. Through layered color, shifting light, and moments of discovery, Hill-Soldner invites us to slow down, look closer, and reconnect. Come experience the strength, stillness, and transformation within the work.

Sunday, May 31st, 1-3pm

Video courtesy of Dave Morris

05/17/2026

‼️Submissions for our first Community Gallery call, "Identity", close tonight at midnight! Check out the submission page and get your work in. We can't wait to see what you create and learn more about your "Identity".

Submit your work 👉https://waterstreetstudios.org/identity-call-for-art

On display now through June 6th is "Resilience and Transformation" by Artist Collective member Jeanine Hill-Soldner. Vis...
05/16/2026

On display now through June 6th is "Resilience and Transformation" by Artist Collective member Jeanine Hill-Soldner. Visit the gallery Fri/Sat/Sun 12pm-4pm or by appointment during the week.

"The paintings in “Resilience and Transformation” are the latest works on my journey to witness and contemplate the resilience of nature as it responds to the endless changes wrought by humans and the environment. I marvel at trees and their endurance to withstand the decades in silence and find solace in their presence. My new work reflects the profound strength of trees, and roots that have helped me feel grounded.

My representational paintings explore pieces of the puzzle that make up the world. I invite the viewer to explore layers of color and delve deep into the surface of the painting in a dance of discovery. The changing visual fragments of everyday life inspire me to capture the fleeting moments of human interactions. I am interested in the human impact on the natural world and nature’s ever shifting response. These transitory moments are the subjects that fuel my ongoing inquiry into the visual dialogue I passionately explore in my work. I want to create the illusion of deep space by building layers of shapes, color and carefully orchestrated light and shadows revealing the infinite spaces in between."

🎨 Summer Art Camps for Kids, Tweens & Teens! 🎨From drawing and painting to ceramics, every young artist will enjoy profe...
05/15/2026

🎨 Summer Art Camps for Kids, Tweens & Teens! 🎨
From drawing and painting to ceramics, every young artist will enjoy professional, age‑appropriate instruction in a fun and supportive environment. Each camp is designed to build skills, spark creativity, and send students home with a finished project they’ll be proud of!

✨ Camps Offered:

👧 Kids (Ages 7–12)
• Ceramics Camp – Mon–Fri (2 weeks), 9am–12pm | June & July
• Animal Drawing – Mon & Wed (3 weeks), 10:30am–12pm | Begins June 15
• Explore Mixed Media – Mon & Wed (3 weeks), 10:30am–12pm | Begins July 6
• Acrylic Painting – Mon & Wed (3 weeks), 10:30am–12pm | Begins July 27

🧑‍🎨 Tweens & Teens (Ages 11–16)
• Ceramics for Young Artists – Tues & Thurs, 1:45–4:15pm | Begins June or July
• Animal Drawing – Mon & Wed (3 weeks), 1–3pm | Begins June 15
• Explore Mixed Media – Mon & Wed (3 weeks), 1–3pm | Begins July 6
• Acrylic Painting – Mon & Wed (3 weeks), 1–3pm | Begins July 27

🎭 Betweens (Ages 9–14)
• Art Lab: DRAW · PAINT · CREATE – Tues & Thurs (3 weeks), 10:30am–12pm

📅 Spots are limited—register now and let creativity shine this summer!
https://app.amilia.com/store/en/water-street-studios/shop/programs

At the end of April we were honored to host the reception and winner announcements for the 11th District Congressional A...
05/14/2026

At the end of April we were honored to host the reception and winner announcements for the 11th District Congressional Art Competition.
We were thrilled to welcome Congressman Foster, along with the participating students and their families, to celebrate the incredible talent of young artists in our community.

Established in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition is open to high school students nationwide, with winning pieces from each district displayed in the U.S. Capitol.

A heartfelt thank you to Congressman Foster and Maria Manzo for selecting Water Street as the host space; to Gianna Bisogni for coordinating the event; to judges Megan Ryan, Carly Palmer, Jen Schroeder, and Sarah Reaves; and to keynote speaker Kayla Coulter for her authentic and inspiring remarks.
It was truly a joy and honor to welcome these young artists and encourage them to continue their creative journeys. 💙🎨

Bill Foster The Artistic Edge

Get ready to kick off summer with creativity, community, and fun! Join us for a FREE, all-ages Community Day at Water St...
05/12/2026

Get ready to kick off summer with creativity, community, and fun! Join us for a FREE, all-ages Community Day at Water Street Studios on Sunday, June 14th from 10–12 PM.

Come explore our Sunday Open Drawing Studio, a relaxed and welcoming space where artists of all skill levels can drop in, create, and connect. Whether you’re picking up a pencil for the first time or just looking for a creative morning, everyone is invited.

This special kickoff event is completely free, so bring a friend, bring the family, and enjoy a morning of art and inspiration together.

Even better, our Open Drawing Studios continue every Sunday 10-12 PM through August 2nd! You can register in advance or simply drop in for future sessions via Amilia, with a suggested $10 donation to help keep these programs accessible to all.

We can’t wait to see you there and make art together this summer
Learn more at https://app.amilia.com/store/en/water-street-studios/api/Activity/Detail?activityId=x5X2YZv

Address

160 S Water Street
Batavia, IL
60510

Opening Hours

Friday 12pm - 4pm
Saturday 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+16307619977

Website

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