Learn More About: Exhibitions Classes Membership
The McLean County Arts Center (MCAC) is pleased to announce the winners of the “99th Annual Regional Emerging Artist Exhibition” awards. This exhibition is free and open to the public in the MCAC Brandt & Dolan galleries from March 6th to April 24th, 2026.
This year, juror Amy Wilson, the Assistant Professor of Art and Gallery Director at Illinois Wesleyan University, selected 159 works for the show from the pool of 253 entries.
Adult
Graphics 2nd: A.D. Horine
Graphics 1st: Stanley Winterroth
Painting 2nd: Angelica Gonzalez
Painting 1st: Becky Altic,
Sculpture 2nd: Gina Hechinger
Sculpture 1st: Deb Neumayer,
Fiber/textile 2nd: Melanie Shellito
Fiber/textile 1st: Cathy Haab
Photo 2nd: Laurie Bergner
Photo 1st: Jade Nguyen
College
Graphics 2nd: Catherine White
Graphics 1st: Jack Miller
Painting 2nd: Liz Carter
Painting 1st: Maria Lambert
Sculpture 2nd: Guinevere St. Crane
Sculpture 1st: Atlas Sturrock
Photo 2nd: Emma Zozzaro
Photo 1st: Zo Russell
Video 1st: Samuel Hempen
High School
Graphics 2nd: Haley Schemmel
Graphics 1st: Aisle Clinch
Painting 2nd: Serenity Neang
Painting 1st: Trinity Kalmes
Sculpture 1st: Ariana Whinna
Fiber/textile 1st: Ramona Lapp Whitt (they/them)
Photo 2nd: Matthew Hoy
Photo 1st: Hailey Watson
Susan Vincent Memorial Award: Braden Hartrich
Director’s Choice: Caitlyn Chwatek
Most promising artist: Emily Broadfield
Best in Show: Stanley Winterroth
Until April 24th, the exhibit is open to any members of the community during regular gallery hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 am to 5 pm; Tuesday from 10 am to 7 pm; and Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.
Now in its 99th year, the Annual Regional Emerging Artist Exhibition has brought together hundreds of artists from high school through adulthood to showcase the community’s works. With artworks spanning drawing, textiles, and sculpture, this year’s event perfectly upholds the MCAC’s tradition of spotlighting talented emerging artists who deserve recognition.
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Sugar Creek Arts Festival 2026
The 43rd Annual Sugar Creek Arts Festival will take place in Uptown Normal on Saturday, October 3rd, from 9 am to 5 pm, and Sunday, October 4th, 2026, from 9 am to 4 pm.
Sugar Creek Arts Festival is nationally recognized for its excellence and is a juried event showcasing fine art and fine crafts by local, regional, and national artists. Professional artists external to the MCAC serve as paid jurors. For more information, please visit sugarcreekartsfestival.org, email us at info@mcac.org. The application is available on Zapp.
Thank you for another successful Sugar Creek Arts Festival!
Check out our video for this year's festival below!
Classes at the MCAC
The promotional video made this year by ISU students in Bob Carroll’s class won an Emmy.
Theses award winning students are Aaron Wolf, Trevor Behrendt, Jay Sutter, and Andres Garcia.
Upcoming events
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Mission Statement: We encourage and promote the appreciation, study, cultivation, development, and practice of art for the benefit of all the people, cultures and communities of McLean County.
Accessibility Statement: We are committed to making our programs, facilities, and media accessible to everyone. We continually work to improve accessibility and remove restrictions to participation. If you need accommodations or encounter accessibility barriers, please contact staff@mcac.org for assistance.
 | "This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts" |