This year, the BHHA has organized many additional summer events. These workshops, performances, etc. are not listed in the Bishop Hill Visitors Guide. Descriptions of these events are listed below:
- Swedish String Duet- June 26
The BHHA is sponsoring an hour long concert being performed by Ellinor & Leonor from Sweden. Ellinor Fritz plays the fiddle and Leonor Palazzo plays the cello. They play a variety of Swedish music, which can be heard on their website at http://ellinorleonor.com/ . This free public event will take place in the Dairy Building at 7 p.m. on June 26.
- From Generation to Generation: Folk Arts of Illinois exhibit opening at the Steeple Building- June 28
From Generation to Generation: Folk Arts of Illinois thoughtfully integrates the arts and stories of Illinois to create a visually engaging and educational perspective on the state’s cultural heritage. Telling the stories of ten artists, the featured art forms represent a wide variety of traditions such as duck decoy carving, Irish fiddle, Mexican murals, and African American Quilts. Every artist is part of a larger tradition, and their stories prompt questions that ask all of us to consider What will I pass along? This exhibit will also include information about Bishop Hill folk arts/artists, such as broommaking and Olof Krans. This summer exhibit will close on September 29. From Generation to Generation: Folk Arts of Illinois was produced by Company of Folk with partial support by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
- Bluegrass Duet- June 28
As part of our summer exhibit opening, Robert Bowlin and Wil Maring will be performing at the Steeple Building from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This is a free public event. Virtuoso guitarist/fiddler Robert Bowlin and Award-winning singer/songwriter Wil Maring combine talents to create beautiful original acoustic music. Robert is a 2-time National Fingerpicking and Flatpicking Guitar contest winner and has accompanied legendary artists like Bill Monroe, Maura O’Connell, Kathy Mattea, Tom T. Hall, Ray Price, and many more. Wil has toured Europe and Japan extensively, was a winner of the Merlefest songwriting contest, and a Kerrville Folk Finalist. They’ve been guests on the Grand Ole Opry and NPR’s Whaddya Know program. This performance is sponsored by the Company of Folk with partial support by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
- Duck Decoy Workshop- July 12
Pat Gregory will be having a presentation at the Dairy Building from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Pat will be doing both decoy carving and painting demonstrations in the tradition of the old time Illinois River Decoy Carvers. Pat’s great grandfather, George “Homerun” Barto was a noted Illinois River Decoy Carver and, Pat is following in his footsteps. Attendees will see traditional decoys carved with hand tools and painted in the ways of the old masters. Pat will have examples of his personal group of hunting decoys as well as examples of his great grandfathers. Plenty of photos and literature will be on hand of this great family tradition. This event is free and open to public. It is hosted by the BHHA. This presentation is sponsored by Company of Folk with partial programs support by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Illinois Humanities Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
- The Orphan Train and Henry County- August 9
Angie Snook, Executive Director of the Geneseo Historical Museum, will be speaking at the Dairy Building at 1:30 p.m. She will be talking about the late 1800′s Orphan Train trip through Henry County. This free presentation is sponsored by the BHHA and is open to the public.
- Pysanka Workshop- August 23
Vera Samycia will be offering a workshop where attendees will have a chance to work with their own egg and learn the art of doing traditional pysanka using the technique of wax resist dyeing. Pysanka is the ancient art of decorating eggs. Often associated with Easter, the eggs use a variety of symbols and motifs that tell important stories to those who are a part of the culture and understand the “codes” and tradition found in the eggs. This free workshop, hosted by the BHHA, will start at 1:30 p.m. in the Diary Building and last 3 hours. Space will be limited to 15 adults, so call 309 927-3899 to reserve your spot. This workshop is sponsored by Company of Folk with partial programs support by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Illinois Humanities Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Check out our calendar, located at http://bishophillheritage.org/news-events/calendar/ , for the latest information about these and other events that the Heritage’s sponsors.
News & Events
