Starved Rock Arts

Thirty years ago, Hollywood set up cameras in Utica and Starved Rock State Park to film the soaring finale of the now classic holiday movie about restoring one's faith in Christmas magic.

Ottawa's Wine and Art walk returns for it's fifth year this Saturday, November 2nd! Enjoy samples of delicious wines and tasty appetizers, all while taking in some wonderful artwork in more than 20 of downtown Ottawa's best independent stores.For more information on the Wine and …

More than 10 talented artists from around Illinois have submitted their interpretations of a vintage WPA-style travel poster, based on the sights, locations and events found around Starved Rock Country! These artists will have a chance to win $500 and have their work featured on …

Fall is officially here, and that means ghost tours are just around the corner! Starved Rock Country's past is packed with bone-chilling tales of terror and unexplained apparitions. Regardless of your belief in the supernatural, here are four haunted tours that are sure to get yo…

Artist John Pugh, is widely known for his trompe de l'oeil (French: “deceive the eye”) style of murals. These large-scale optical illusions have been commissioned by the Minnesota Zoo, Nickelodeon Studios, and even Game of Thrones scribe George R. R. Maritn! Now one of these worl…

They tried to keep a low profile, said construction company owner and downtown building owner and renovator Mike Bird.But the crew and antiq…

Driving down a rural blacktop road in Bureau County, one outbuilding begins to look similar to the next as they cluster from farm to farm until suddenly a kaleidoscope of geometric shapes and colors nearly pop off of a red barn, highlighted by the bright blue afternoon sky.It's t…

Richard Widmark appeared in more than 60 films during his long and storied career in Hollywood. He could be seen alongside John Wayne in "The Alamo", Marilyn Monroe in "Don't Bother to Knock" and even earned an Academy Award nomination for his screen debut in "Kiss of Death." But…

Hornbaker Garden, located in western Starved Rock Country, is the ideal backdrop for an end of Summer arts festival. In addition to their sprawling lawn, meticulously maintained botanical gardens and beautiful raised plant beds, this horticultural hot spot will host more than thr…

Calling all artists: Starved Rock Country and The Arts of Starved Rock Country Fund are proud to present a new juried arts contest! We are …