Lone Elm Room Exhibits and Special Events

Mattoon Arts Council Photo Show 
Viewers Choice Award Winner
​Michelle Barns, Every Day Hero

Quilt Show 2018
January 27th & 28th

  Viewer's Choice Award Winner, Dawn O'Brien

Exhibits in the Lone Elm Room

Annual Holiday Sale 2017

"Elizabeth Keckley", Mary Todd Lincoln's Dressmaker 

Kathryn M. Harris, Historical Researcher and Historical Reenactor is pictured portraying Elizabeth Keckley in the Lone Elm Room (at the Mattoon depot)Friday September 15, 2017

Elizabeth Keckley, Mary Todd Lincoln's dressmaker (modiste) and confidante, was born into slavery in 1818 and became an extraordinary seamstress, civil activist and author. Kathryn Harris delivered a first person impersonation to an audience of 45 people. This special program was planned by the Academy of Lifelong Learning of Eastern Illinois University, made possible by a grant from the Coles County Arts Council, and hosted by the Mattoon Arts Council. For more information about the Academy of Lifelong Learning, please visit www.eiu.edu/adulted/all.php or 217-581-5114.

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Mattoon Arts Council Photography Show Held August 24-27, 2017

Best of Show Adult: 
Sally McGuire, "The WTC Walk: Shadow of Death"
 
Best of Show Student: 
​Joe Perez, "Sunset at Lake Charleston"

Winners in each category:

Color Photography, Any Subject:
Professional:
First place, Joe Ethridge, "Cathedral Rock";
Honorable mention, Ron Ghere, "The Gallery";
Honorable mention, Shelly Matthews, "The Deteriorating Garage"

Amateur:
First place, Wendy Dexter, "Bedazzled Beetle"
Honorable mention, Harry Orr, "Alley Springs, MO"
Honorable mention, Marcia Smith "Profile on a Penny"

Student:     
First place, Josie Mathews, "Butterfly"
Honorable mention, Sydney Littlejohn, "Determination"
 
B/W Photography, Any Subject:
Professional:
First place, Virginia Kickle, "The Andalusian"
Honorable mention, Shelly J. Matthews, "The Broken Home"
 
Amateur:   
First place, Harry Orr, "Small New Mexico Village"
Honorable mention, Rebekah Smith, "Lost in the Eyes of an African Orphan"
 
Student:     
First place, Sydney Littlejohn, "White Noise"
 
Light and Shadow, Color or B/W:
Professional:
First place, Sally McGuire, "The WTC Walk: Shadow of Death"
 
Amateur:   
First place, Wendy Dexter, "Sunset, Twin Lakes, Paris"
Honorable mention, Robert Erxleben, "Sunrise at Haleakala NP"
 
Student:     
First place, Joe Perez, "Sunset at Lake Charleston"

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 'Stitches of the Seasons' quilt show held

The Mattoon Arts Council's 2017 quilt show, “Stitches of the Seasons,” was held Jan. 28-29. The show was co-sponsored by Lori's Pins 'n' Needles in Paris, Ill.

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Holiday Arts and Craft Show held Nov. 19 in Lone Elm Room

Thank you to everyone who attended our Holiday Arts and Handmade Craft Sale on Nov. 19!
It's always a great day when we can support our area artists and crafters!

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Mattoon Arts Council Photography Show August 26-28, 2016

First-place winners in each category:

Color Photography, Any Subject:
Professional: first place, Melissa Harden, “Royal”; honorable mention, Shelly Matthews, “The Old School House.”

Amateur: first place, Mary Haag, “Yosemite Chapel in Winter”; honorable mention, Ke’An Armstrong, “Real Working Cowboys” and Harry Orr, “Path to the Valley.”

Student: first place, Josie Mathews, “Sunshine.”
 
B/W Photography, Any Subject:
Professional: first place, Joe Ethridge , “Stovepipe”; honorable mention, Andrew Trueblood, “Hood Ornament.”

Amateur: first place, Tammy Courtney, “Simply Sadie”; honorable mention, Clint McKibben, “A Day at the Lake” and Harry Orr, “Looking Back in Time.”

Student: first place, Joe Perez, “Butterfly”; honorable mention, Josie Mathews, “Shout!” and Josie Mathews, “Wild.”
 
My Hometown, Color or B/W:
Professional: first place, Joe Ethridge , “The Depot”; honorable mention, Megan Bingham, “A Place I Will Always Call Home.”

Amateur: first place, Wendy Dexter, “Sunset Bin Bend”; honorable mention, Clint McKibben, “Along the Tracks” and Doris Reynolds, “The Invitation.”

Student: first place, Corryn Brock, “Firefly Away”; honorable mention, Maggie Uphoff, “Paradise.”

Best of Show Adult: Wendy Dexter / Sunset Bin Bend

Best of Show Student: Corryn Brock / Firefly Away

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2016 "Signs of Spring" quilt show highlights

Thelma Childers is pictured with her quilt "Evening Bloom," the People's Choice winner of the 2016 "Signs of Spring" show.

Over 250 people visited the 54 quilts on display during the "Signs of Spring" quilt show in January of 2016. This was the second year for the show, and both attendance and exhibitors were up from the previous year. The theme for the third annual show will be "Stitches of the Seasons" and will be held in January 2017.

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Chamber Business After Hours held January 21, 2016

The Mattoon Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours was hosted by the Mattoon Arts Council in the Lone Elm Room on Thursday, January 21, 2016. This was the first BAH for Ed Dowd, the new Executive Director of the chamber.

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Holiday Arts and Handmade Crafts Sale held November 21, 2015

The Mattoon Arts Council's third annual Holiday Arts and Handmade Crafts Sale was held November 21, the day of the annual Mattoon Holiday Parade.  Artist booths were set up in the Lone Elm Room in the Mattoon Depot.

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Author presents book reading
of ‘Prowler: The Mad Gasser of Mattoon’

The Mattoon Arts Council presented a special reading about a unique piece of the city’s history – the legendary Mad Gasser of Mattoon. Author Jason Lee Brown shared details about his research into the Mad Gasser, as well as read excerpts from his recently published novel based on the story, “Prowler: The Mad Gasser of Mattoon.” A lively discussion was held by those in attendance. The event was held Feb. 5 in the Lone Elm Room at the Mattoon depot.

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