Figge Art Museum

09/01/2026

🍂 September brings new exhibitions and plenty of reasons to make a visit to the Figge.

This month, celebrate the opening of two new exhibitions, spend a free Second Saturday exploring the museum, catch a Thursday night film, or register your young artist for our Teen Anime day, or enjoy one of our classes. Remember every Thursday night the museum is free from 5-8 p.m. with something special at 6 p.m. for you to enjoy.

👵 Senior Day
Thursday, September 3

Visitors 60+ receive free admission and 10% off in the Museum Store

🎬 Free Film at the Figge
Thursday, September 3 | Film at 6 PM

Start September with a free Thursday night at the Figge, including a film screening, plus food and drinks available from the Figge Bar.

🖼️ 44th Rock Island Art Guild Fine Arts Exhibition Opening
Thursday, September 10 | Celebration at 6 PM

Celebrate the opening of the annual juried exhibition featuring artists living within 200 miles of the Figge. Admission is free from 5-8 p.m.

🎉 Second Saturday
Saturday, September 12 | 10 AM-5 PM

Enjjoy free admission plus activities throughout the museum.

🎨 Teen Anime Day
Saturday, September 12

Teens ages 11-19 are invited for an afternoon of manga, anime, Japanese culture, art cosply, gaming and trivia prizes. Free with registration.

👹 Mexican Roots Opening
Thursday, September 17 | Celebrtion at 6 PM

Join us for the opening of "Mexican Roots," featuring masks, prints, sculpture, and more, showcasing the richness and enduring traditions of Mexican art. Admission is free from 5-8 p.m.

🖼️ Guided Tours
Sundays at 2 PM | Free with admission

• September 20 National Gallery
• September 27 Highlights

🍎 Teacher Appreciation Open House
Thursday, September 24 | 3:30-6:30 PM

Educators are invited to explore the galleries and education resources while enjoying refreshments, prizes, and activities.

🎓 Portfolio Day
Tuesday, September 29 | 9:30 AM-1 PM

Art and design students can receive one-on-one portfolio feedback from professors representing area colleges, universities, and art schools. Free with registration.

🔗 Download the full calendar: https://go.fliplink.me/view/D9ED48EC-0121-4C76-BCD6-DD98429315A9

08/31/2026

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who is the fairest of us all?”

“Eva,” by Rachel Feinstein, strips away the illusion of wealth and power to depict the crumbling features of an 18th-century French aristocrat. The figure refuses to meet the viewer’s gaze, twisting a parasol between bejeweled fingers. As viewers draw closer to the painting, they are forced to confront their own image.

If you look closely, you can see the silhouette of Snow White in the mirror’s reflection. A brightly colored skeleton hovers in the background, serving as a reminder of “memento mori” and the continuous cycle of life, beauty, death, and decay.

These artworks are on display in the “A Golden Age for Whom?” exhibit, where contemporary artists critically engage with the histories, power structures, and inequities embedded in early modern patronage and society. The adjoining exhibit, “The Golden Age,” features 16th- and 17th-century European artworks from the collections of the National Gallery of Art and the Figge Art Museum.
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🖼️ Rachel Feinstein (American, b.1971), “Eva,” 2005, Enamel paint on glass mirror, Figge Art Museum Collection, Zoe and Joel Dictrow, 2022.31

🖼️ Haroldo Higa (Peruvian, b.1969), “Snow White (Blanca Nieves),” 2012–2013, Direct modeling on polystyrene high-density expanded foam covered in recycled tire patchwork, Gift of Maurice Marciano, Figge Art Museum Collection, Contemporary Art Collection, Gift of Maurice Marciano, 2026.22.1

🖼️ Sarah Ann Weber (American, b.1988), “Their Perfume Lost,” 2022, acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencil on paper, mounted on linen over wood panel, Figge Art Museum Collection, Contemporary Art Collection, Courtesy of the artist and Hilary and Hannah Fagadau, 2026.5

08/28/2026

Orpheus may have been a poor boy in “Hadestown,” but in Greek mythology, he was the son of King Oeagrus and the muse Calliope in addition to being a talented musician.

His tale has been told time and time again, including by the Roman poet Ovid. Artist Roelandt Savery drew inspiration from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses,” depicting a crowd of animals approaching Orpheus as he plays an enchanting tune. Since Savery previously served as a court artist for Emperor Rudolf II in Prague, some of these animals might have been part of the emperor’s menagerie.

Savery painted numerous iterations of this scene, including “Orpheus Charming the Beasts,” which is part of the Figge’s permanent collection. This artwork is currently on display in “The Golden Age: Featuring Northern European Works from the Collection of the National Gallery of Art."
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🖼️ Roelandt Savery (b.1576, d.1639), “Orpheus Charming the Beasts,” circa 1625, oil on canvas, City of Davenport Art Collection, Gift of C. A. Ficke, 1925.239

08/26/2026

Many artists find creative inspiration after experiencing other people’s artwork. In “Three Portraits of the Heartland (after Grant Wood),” composer Maxine Lafontant “explores the turmoil and pastoral pleasure of a Midwestern life.” Inspired by three portraits and two landscapes by Grant Wood, the piece transforms a simple motive through five sections: “Young Corn;” “Plaid Sweater;” “Self-Portrait;” “Woman with Plants;” and “Fall Plowing.”

Originally written for the Libera Composers Association consortium in 2016, Monmouth College performed this piece in 2022. To listen to this recording (43:10–48:04), visit: https://www.youtube.com/live/WVgBnqRsk0I?si=u3u79cWxrkYZlwq0&t=2590
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🖼️ Grant Wood (American, b.1891, d.1942), “Self-portrait,” 1932, 1941, Oil on Masonite, City of Davenport Art Collection, Friends of Art Acquisition Fund, 1965.1

🖼️ Grant Wood (American, b.1891, d.1942), “Study (Sketch) for Fall Plowing,” 1931, Oil on Masonite, City of Davenport Art Collection, Friends of Art Acquisition Fund, 1965.5

08/25/2026

Found art at the Figge! If museum fatigue catches up to you, the Learn to Look Gallery provides a place to stop and take a breath. While you relax, you can admire summer-themed artwork. And if inspiration strikes, easels and art supplies await your designs. Put your own spin on the artwork you see or let your imagination take flight.

The Learn to Look Gallery is located between the Family Activity Center and "The Golden Age" exhibit, in memory of Kiran Bavikatte from Dr. and Mrs. Shivakumar.
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🖼️ Preston Sampson (American, b.1960), “Hank Aaron,” n.d., mixed media on canvas, Contemporary Art, Figge Art Museum, Gift of Dave and June Heller, 2026.15

08/24/2026

Flowers, decay, Shakespeare, and a little art-historical rule-breaking. 🌿

Sara Ann Weber explores themes of life and decay in “Their Perfume Lost,” a recent addition to the Figge’s permanent collection.

The title comes from a line attributed to Ophelia in William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” while the central figure echoes famous depictions of Ophelia by John Everett Millais and Friedrich Wilhelm Theodor Heyser, reimagined here among Weber’s lush botanical forms.

As Weber explained, “I like to play a lot with art history in my work and completely turn it on its head.”

“Their Perfume Lost” is currently on view in “A Golden Age for Whom?” where contemporary artists respond to themes and aesthetics found in the adjoining exhibition, “The Golden Age: Featuring Northern European Works from the National Gallery of Art.”
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🖼️ Sarah Ann Weber (American, b.1988), “Their Perfume Lost,” 2022, acrylic, watercolor, and colored pencil on paper, mounted on linen over wood panel, Figge Art Museum Collection, Contemporary Art Collection, Courtesy of the artist and Hilary and Hannah Fagadau, 2026.5

08/22/2026

A night like this doesn't happen without incredible community support. ❤️

We're so grateful to The Cultural Trust and its Cultural Champions for investing in the arts and making experiences like Art of the Brew and the entire Culture Bright QC series possible for the Quad Cities.

Their support helps us do what we do best: bringing art and people together through exhibitions, education, and experiences that enrich our community. And nights like this remind us how powerful moments of community and connection can be.

Thank you for championing culture in the Quad Cities and for helping us bring moments like this to life! 🎶 🍻 🎨

08/21/2026

COMING TO THE FIGGE PLAZA TONIGHT!? 🎶 🍻

Here's what you need to know before you go! Gates open at 6 p.m. with music, food trucks, drinks, and Art of the Brew tastings available throughout the evening.

🪑 Bring a chair — seating will be limited, so we encourage you to bring your own.

🍔 Come hungry and thirsty — outside food and beverages are not permitted, but food trucks and beverages will be available for purchase.

☂️ Keep an eye on the sky — we're planning for a great night on the plaza! A few sprinkles are possible, so you may want to bring an umbrella just in case.

🛍️ Bringing a bag? — bags will be inspected at the entrance, so allow a little extra time for check-in.

🚗 Plan your arrival — check out the map for nearby parking options. The concert entrance is located on W. 2nd Street.

🎟️ Still need tickets? There's time! — purchase your tickets online via figgeartmuseum.org or at the gate.

🍺 Want to add Art of the Brew? — if you already have a concert ticket you can upgrade to include Art of the Brew and sample craft beer from seven participating breweries.

📍 Get Directions — use our interactive parking map to choose a nearby lot or garage and navigate right to your parking spot: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1cLSBIAH-zWiJ4FuX_hjrtusiu844N0A&usp=sharing

08/19/2026

🍺 Seven breweries, live music, and one summer night.

Make a night of it this Friday with live country music and craft beer on the Figge plaza.

Coming for the music? Concert tickets are $35. Want to sample what’s pouring? Upgrade to a Concert & Art of the Brew ticket for $60 and enjoy samples from seven participating breweries, beginning at 6 p.m.

🍻 Pouring Friday night: Twin Span Brewing • Potosi Brewing Company • Front Street Taproom • Green Tree Brewery • Bent River Brewing Company • Big Grove Brewery • Wake Brewing

Then settle in for live music from Lorrie Morgan, Suzy Bogguss, and Angela Meyer.

🎟️ Advance pricing ends on Thursday. Buy before Friday and save $10

🔗https://figgeartmuseum.org/programs-and-events/calendar/event/culture-bright-summer-series-art-of-the-brew/834

08/18/2026

🎶 From the front porch to the Figge plaza.

What does Friday night sound like? We put together a playlist to give you a taste.

Spend a little time with Lorrie Morgan, Suzy Bogguss, and Angela Meyer before they take the stage at the Figge this Friday, August 21. From country classics you already know by heart to songs you might be hearing for the first time, Front Porch to Figge Plaza is your soundtrack for getting concert-ready.

🎧Give it a listen on Spotify, then come hear them live this Friday! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5gXv3sZFvziu9sqFPBBXjg?si=kPG2HByhRpqdwqcvqwWNsg

🍺Art of the Brew | Friday, August 21
🎶Angela Meyer • Lorrie Morgan • Suzy Bogguss
🎟️ Tickets available now at figgeartmuseum.org

Playlist · Figge Art Museum · 20 items · 5 saves