It’s Art on the Square weekend in Belleville. Here’s the schedule for the iconic art show

Belleville News-Democrat
·3 min read

Belleville’s nationally renowned juried art show - Art on the Square - began Friday afternoon and continues through Sunday in the heart of downtown.

Artists from around the country and local volunteers worked Thursday and Friday to set up for the show around Public Square and along neighboring North and South Illinois and East and West Main streets. It is expected to draw thousands of people to Belleville this weekend.

This year’s show features 108 juried artists.

Art of all kinds are on display and for sale - sculpture, photography, paintings, wood, ceramics, jewelry, mixed media and more. Plus there will be an array of demonstrations, music performances, food and drink and other activities.

Tents line Main St. during the first day of Belleville’s Art on the Square on May 17, 2024.
Tents line Main St. during the first day of Belleville’s Art on the Square on May 17, 2024.
Roman busts sold by Grass Valley, Calif., artist Casey Bridges, on Friday at Belleville’s Art on the Square.
Roman busts sold by Grass Valley, Calif., artist Casey Bridges, on Friday at Belleville’s Art on the Square.

Show attendees can also visit the High School Art Exhibition on the first floor of the Mathis, Marifian & Richter building at 23 Public Square, where the talent of students across southern Illinois will be on display.

Jewelry maker Julie Jerman-Melka sells wares during the first day of Belleville’s Art on the Square on May 17, 2024. The show continues Saturday and Sunday.
Jewelry maker Julie Jerman-Melka sells wares during the first day of Belleville’s Art on the Square on May 17, 2024. The show continues Saturday and Sunday.
Children contribute to a mural during Art on the Square in downtown Belleville Saturday.
Children contribute to a mural during Art on the Square in downtown Belleville Saturday.

If you get hungry during the show this weekend, nine vendors will be featured at Café on the Square serving a variety of foods and drinks. Or you can stroll down the street to one of the local restaurants that will be open this weekend.

Belleville’s fine arts show has won national awards year after year since the first event in 2001 and has been held annually since (except for a little break during the pandemic).

Artist Rob Bridges fixes his illustrations during the first day of Belleville’s famous Art on the Square on May 17, 2024.
Artist Rob Bridges fixes his illustrations during the first day of Belleville’s famous Art on the Square on May 17, 2024.

Hours for the show this year are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Sunny, warm weather is forecast for Saturday and Sunday.

Tana Acton holds up one of her favorite pieces of jewelry during the first day of Belleville’s famous Art on the Square on May 17, 2024.
Tana Acton holds up one of her favorite pieces of jewelry during the first day of Belleville’s famous Art on the Square on May 17, 2024.





Here’s the schedule and other info for Art on the Square:

Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — High School Exhibit, 23 Public Square

  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Michael Anderson, Watercolor/Gouache

  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Karen Miller, Pastel

  • 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Christine Lampe, Abstract Acrylics

  • 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. — Don James and Friends – Wine Court

  • 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Children’s Art Garden

  • 1-4 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Jay Burgmann, Watercolor/Gouache

  • 1-4 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Betty Burgmann, Acrylics/Watercolor

  • 1-4 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – David Carriel, Photography

  • 1:45-4 p.m. — Anita Rosamond Band – Wine Court

  • 4-8 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Suzy Kunz, Drawing

  • 4-8 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Janet Moreiko-Gagen, Jewelry

  • 4-8 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Carolyn Karasek, Painting

  • 4:30-7 p.m. — The Philosophers – Wine Court

Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — High School Exhibit, 23 Public Square

  • 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. — Jazz Tonite featuring Beth Duffy – Wine Court

  • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Jay Burgmann, Watercolor/Gouache

  • 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Betty Burgmann, Acrylics/Watercolor

  • Noon to 4 p.m. — Children’s Art Garden

  • 2 p.m. — Awards Ceremony, Main Tent

  • 2-5 p.m. — Artist Demonstration – Tom Wodarczyk, Acrylics

  • 2:15-5 p.m. — Street Corner Serenade – Wine Court

Café on the Square

  • Beast Craft BBQ

  • Fletcher’s Kitchen & Tap

  • Pour@322 Coffeehouse

  • LongStory Coffee

  • Quintessential Nutrition Fresh Juices and Smoothies

  • Roy-el Catering

  • Swiney Ribbers BBQ and More

  • White Cottage Ice Cream and More

  • Zapata’s Mexican Restaurant

Shuttle Service

A shuttle bus is scheduled to arrive at the Belleville Scheel Street MetroLink station 10 minutes before the Art on the Square start times each day. Round trips will be made every 15 minutes. The final trip each evening will leave from Main Street 20 minutes after the day’s scheduled end. The shuttle ends at East Main and North Jackson streets.

For more information about Art on the Square, visit artonthesquare.com or find them on Facebook.

Jewelry maker Carlos Montenaro of Indio, Calif., inspects his wares during Belleville’s Art on the Square on May 18, 2024.
Jewelry maker Carlos Montenaro of Indio, Calif., inspects his wares during Belleville’s Art on the Square on May 18, 2024.
Carved faces sit on the wall during Belleville’s Art on the Square on May 18, 2024.
Carved faces sit on the wall during Belleville’s Art on the Square on May 18, 2024.