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Artist Call for Raue Center’s 7th Annual 6×6 Project Art Auction & Fundraiser

Raue Center proudly announces the 7th annual 6×6 PROJECT Art Auction & Fundraiser!

Pick up blank canvases to participate in Raue Center’s 6×6 PROJECT from January 3, 2025, through May 2, 2025. Get up to two blank canvases at any of the following locations for a $5 donation. Raue Center’s box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from Noon to 4 pm. Please check each participating location’s hours of operation as they are all different and may have changed with the new year. 

  • Creative Arts Inc. – 400 Highland Avenue | Crystal Lake, IL | (815) 219-9243
  • Makity Make – 203 S. Main Street | Algonquin, IL | (224) 678-7090
  • Material Things – 103 E. Van Buren | Woodstock, IL | (815) 575-9710
  • Out of the Box – 71 N. Williams Street | Crystal Lake, IL | (815) 444-7446 
  • Piano Trends – 35 Berkshire Drive | Crystal Lake, IL | (815) 477-4266 
  • Raue Center Box Office – 26 N. Williams Street | Crystal Lake, IL | (815) 356-9212
  • Reprographics – Crystal Lake Plaza | Crystal Lake, IL | (815) 477-1018

Attached to this email is the Participation Form and the Artist Guidelines. Feel free to print out the form in advance and complete it before going to get your canvases. Make sure to write legibly AND include a working email so we can send you important information about the 6×6 PROJECT. The deadline to return completed art is May 13, 2025. All submitted art to the 6×6 PROJECT will be included in the online auction and can be bid on starting June 1, 2025. All art can be viewed online at the auction site and will be displayed in a huge mosaic during the 6×6 PROJECT art reception to be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025. More details about the reception will be sent in April/May.

The goal of the 6×6 PROJECT continues to be the promotion of art while raising funds to benefit Raue Center’s educational programs which serve 20,000+ kids a year. Since our inaugural event in 2019, and with your participation and support, the 6×6 PROJECT has raised over $95,000 for Raue Center’s educational programs with canvases coming from around the nation!

Visit rauecenter.org for more information. Don’t forget to Like and Follow our Facebook page at facebook.com/6x6project and our Instagram page at instagram.com/the6x6project for updates, sneak peeks of the art, and more! Questions? Please reach out to us at [email protected].

We hope you will support Raue Center and look forward to your participation in our 7th annual 6×6 PROJECT.

Featured Visual Arts

RAUE CENTER to HOST 6th Annual 6X6 PROJECT Art Auction and Reception

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – May 28, 2024 – Raue Center For The Arts is proud to host its sixth annual 6×6 Project Art Auction and Reception on June 29, 2024, from 5:30 to 8 pm. 

 

Artists of all ages and abilities were invited to participate in the fundraiser and online art auction/exhibition by creating original works of art, in a variety of mediums, on 6” x 6” canvases. 

 

“This is a wonderful fundraiser that gets people involved on many levels,” says 6×6 Project Co-Chair, Michelle Nowland. “There are many talented people in our community from all walks of life.”

 

“In these six years, there have been over 500 artists contributing over 1000 individual works of art to support Raue Center’s educational programs, Mission Imagination, and Raue Center School For The Arts. Each year, more artists get involved and the art just keeps getting better and better,” Nowland adds.  “The artwork is uploaded to an auction site and the bidding is all done online. This allows for anyone, local or not, to bid on these mini works of original art and we ship to winning bidders free of charge.” 


These mini-masterpieces are now available for viewing and bidding on Auctria.com or at https://charityauction.bid/6x6project2024 You can also see the canvases in person on display in mini-mosaics installed in various locations in Crystal Lake and Woodstock including, Countryside Nursery, Out of the Box in Crystal Lake, Material Things Artisan Market in Woodstock, and of course Raue Center For The Arts. 

 

Online bidding opens on June 10 and closes at 8 pm on June 29, 2024, after the public reception and gallery viewing at Raue Center. Admission is free and open to the public.  Artists and the community are invited to attend the reception to view the art in a mosaic installation featuring all submissions. Don’t miss this opportunity to support the arts (and the artists) in our community! All proceeds of the 6×6 Project will benefit Raue Center’s fine art education programs, Mission Imagination, and Raue Center School For The Arts, which have enriched the lives of over 250,000 children in the local community since 2001. The 6×6 Project fundraiser has raised over $80,000 to date since its inaugural season.

 

The 6th Annual 6×6 Project is made possible through the generous support of sponsors Loretta Rosenmayer, Miller Verchota, and Willow Springs Charitable Trust. For more information on the 6×6 Project and Raue Center’s educational programs, please visit rauecenter.org or email [email protected].

 

About Raue Center For The Arts

Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theater named for its benefactor—Lucille Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians, and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theater, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination. 

 

For additional information, visit rauecenter.org, facebook.com/RaueCenter, and twitter.com/RaueCenter. 

 

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Visual Arts

Call for ALL Artists for NMP’s 4th Fridays

Call for ALL Artists for NMP’s 4th Fridays Art Event [IN PERSON] at The Dole.

Submit your artwork here – https://nancymerkling.com/4th-fridays/

Deadline Sunday October 16th

$850 in cash prizes.

Questions?  Connect here – we are happy to help – https://nancymerkling.com/about-nancy-merkling-productions/contact-nancy-merkling/

Nancy Merkling
NMP | Nancy Merkling Productions 
www.NancyMerkling.com  815.347.8535
Studio 104 | The Dole Mansion
Professional Photography
Headshots & Portraits, Commercial, Branding & Websites
Photography Instruction
One-on-One Sessions
Group Workshops in Studio & On Location
Chicago Street Photography Workshops
Travel Workshops
Art Event Producer
4th Fridays Art Event at The Dole Mansion [circa 2011]
To Connect on Social Media
Visual Arts

July Call for Artists for NMP’s 4th Fridays Art Event at The Dole

Call for ALL Artists for NMP’s 4th Fridays Art Event [IN PERSON] at The Dole.

Submit your artwork here – https://nancymerkling.com/4th-fridays/

Deadline Sunday, July 10th

$900 in cash prizes.

Questions?  Connect here – we are happy to help – https://nancymerkling.com/about-nancy-merkling-productions/contact-nancy-merkling/

As always, thanks for all you do, Meredith!

Nancy Merkling
NMP | Nancy Merkling Productions 
www.NancyMerkling.com  815.347.8535
Studio 104 | The Dole Mansion
401 Country Club Rd.
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Professional Photography
Headshots & Portraits, Commercial, Branding & Websites
Photography Instruction
One-on-One Sessions
Group Workshops in Studio & On Location
Chicago Street Photography Workshops
Travel Workshops
Art Event Producer
4th Fridays Art Event at The Dole Mansion [circa 2011]
To Connect on Social Media
Painting Photography Visual Arts

4th Annual 6×6 Project at Raue Center

Raue Center For The Arts had a wonderful turnout at their 4th Annual 6×6 PROJECT Art Reception

Thank you to everyone who came out for this event. It was so wonderful to see (and meet) many of the artists. Thank you to all the families and friends who also came out to support the artists who participated this year. A warm thank you to all the volunteers and the 6×6 PROJECT team and THANK YOU to everyone who bid on the art!

If you didn’t have a winning bid, consider making a general donation to Raue Center’s educational programs or even become a RaueNOW member if you aren’t already. For everyone who does have a winning bid(s), the art will start shipping out by June 30. You will receive an email soon.

To view the 6×6 Project 2022 Digital Program, click HERE.

photos by Michele V. Knight

Painting Visual Arts

4th Annual 6×6 Art Auction and Reception

ARTISTS and ART LOVERS REJOICE!

Raue Center’s 6×6 Project online art auction begins June 6, 2022, @ 9 am on Auctria.com.

Bidding is simple! Visit Auctria.com and create an account or download the free app onto your phone! (You must register a credit card to bid).

Bidding begins at $35 per canvas with all proceeds benefitting Raue Center’s fine arts education programs, Mission Imagination and Raue Center School For The Arts.

Artists and the public are invited to our in-person Reception on June 25, 2022, from 5:30 – 8 pm at Raue Center For The Arts, 26 N Williams Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. See the artwork in person and mix, mingle, enjoy some tasty treats, and bid! Bidding ends at 8 pm.

BRING ME YOUR FINEST MEATS & CHEESES! Click on the Ad below to pre-order a scrumptious hand-held or solo grazing box from Fork It Foods & Goods! Vegetarian option also available! Fork It will donate 10% of the cost back to Raue Center!

Visual Arts

4th Friday Call For Artists!

Call for ALL Artists for NMP’s 4th Fridays Art Event [IN PERSON] at The Dole.

Submit your artwork here – https://nancymerkling.com/4th-fridays/

Deadline June 12th

$900 in cash prizes.

Questions?  Connect here – we are happy to help – https://nancymerkling.com/about-nancy-merkling-productions/contact-nancy-merkling/

Nancy Merkling
NMP | Nancy Merkling Productions 
www.NancyMerkling.com  815.347.8535
Studio 104 | The Dole Mansion
Professional Photography
Headshots & Portraits, Commercial, Branding & Websites
Photography Instruction
One-on-One Sessions
Group Workshops in Studio & On Location
Chicago Street Photography Workshops
Travel Workshops
Art Event Producer
4th Fridays Art Event at The Dole Mansion [circa 2011]
To Connect on Social Media
Visual Arts

4th Fridays Art Event | Call For Artists!

Call for ALL Artists for NMP’s 4th Fridays Art Event [IN PERSON] at The Dole.

Submit your artwork here – https://nancymerkling.com/4th-fridays/

Deadline May 15th

$900 in cash prizes.

Questions?  Connect here – we are happy to help – https://nancymerkling.com/about-nancy-merkling-productions/contact-nancy-merkling/

As always, thanks for all you do, Meredith!

Nancy Merkling
NMP | Nancy Merkling Productions 
www.NancyMerkling.com  815.347.8535
Studio 104 | The Dole Mansion
401 Country Club Rd.
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Professional Photography
Headshots & Portraits, Commercial, Branding & Websites
Photography Instruction
One-on-One Sessions
Group Workshops in Studio & On Location
Chicago Street Photography Workshops
Travel Workshops
Art Event Producer
4th Fridays Art Event at The Dole Mansion [circa 2011]
To Connect on Social Media
Visual Arts

4th Fridays are BACK at the Dole!

by Melissa Riske

Lively music, engaging art, and guests who come early and stay till the band plays its final notes. 

Fourth Fridays Art Event at The Dole isn’t your typical art show.

After the long pause, Fourth Fridays Art Event returns to The Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake on April 22. Founder and producer Nancy Merkling said the event’s reputation for featuring great art and toe-tapping music that you will be singing along to, is what draws crowds to the galleries. 

“People remember when they’ve been to a Fourth Fridays Art Show,” she said. 

Fourth Fridays Art Event features three art and photography exhibits. Watch for the third exhibit, a solo artist show, to return starting in May, Merkling said. 

All of the art pieces are selected by a jury, which changes each month, reviewing submissions and selecting pieces based on ability and merit. The art includes a variety of mediums such as sculptures, paintings and every piece is available for purchase. 

For the April show, her team received more than 100 submissions, with the jury selecting 60 pieces of art and 40 for the photography exhibit. The jury awards a blue ribbon to the best piece and visitors have the opportunity to cast their vote for the People’s Choice. Winning artists receive cash prizes. 

Artists represent a wide range of age and talents, Merkling said, adding she’s had submissions from teenagers and from those who’ve been painting for 50 years or more. The artists in each show represent emerging and established artists. 

Visitors wander the galleries but it’s the lively music from two stages that keeps guests lingering at The Dole, Merkling said. 

“We decided to create an event where people stay the whole night,” Merkling said. We wanted to create something that broke the mold of boring art events.”

At the art of Fourth Fridays Art is the opportunity to bring together art and patrons, with the entertainment adding to the great evening atmosphere. 

“Artists have always been the peacemakers, creating and sharing with others,” Merkling said. “Everyone needs art.”

Guests can also visit the 2nd floor of the Dole Mansion, which is open during the event. There is a cash bar and small bites available as well. 

The Dole is located at 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Admission is $10. The remaining 2022 dates include May 27, June 24, July 22, Aug. 26, Sept. 23, and Oct. 28. For more information visit nancymerkling.com/4th-fridays. 

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