Big Weekend in Belleville

Artists from across the nation gather in Belleville, Illinois, this weekend for the triumphant return of Art on the Square. For the annual art fair, roughly 1,000 hopeful applicants are winnowed down to just 105 artists, who represent the fields of painting, glass, jewelry, ceramics and mixed media. The AoS jurors also select a group of 40 student artists whose work appears in the High School Art Exhibit; these young artists divide a $3,000 cash pot amongst themselves for being selected. In addition to all the art, local restaurants set up shop on the street to offer their delectable goods for sale while live entertainment takes place on the Main, Children's and Wine Court Stages. Performing this year are the Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra and a special show by the Shakespeare Festival St. Louis. Art on the Square takes place from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday (May 15 to 17). The fair is held at the intersection of highway IL-159 and Main Street in Downtown Belleville. For more information, call 618-416-3390 or visit www.artonthesquare.com. Admission is free, but bring money to buy necessities (food and drink) as well as art.
May 15-17, 2009