Encore! Mt Morris

Thanks for
A Great 2022
Encore! Mt. Morris Summer!

All summer 2022 art shows were be held in the Encore! Old Sandstone Gallery, 122 S Wesley Ave, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. Gallery presentations were open to the public during Wednesday and Friday evening concerts (next door band shell) and other community campus events. Mt. Morris events included; PorchFest, June 11; Let Freedom Ring festival, June 29-July 4; the US National Straw Sculpting Competition August 12-28. All events were open to the public and followed state and county COVID guidelines.


These 2022 shows were open to any medium, including, but not limited to: weaving, or other fiber art, pen and ink, oil/acrylic/watercolor paint, pencil, charcoal, sculpture, photography, colored pencil, glass, metal, etc. See show specifications for 2D & 3D format acceptance.

June – “Annual K-12 Student Show”
June 10-29

Art selection for this show was by area art instructors, and represents public and home school student art in the Oregon / Mt. Morris area. We hope you will attended and encourage our emerging, young artists. Opening night: June 10 with refreshments.

July – “Regional Artist’s Showcase”
July 1-27

Artists featured this year included: Letha Catalina, Dick Cholke, Rick Davis/wood carvers, Beverly Garcia, Matt Jagitsch, Dale Tulk, Mary vonTish. Opening night: July 1 with refreshments.

Interlude: Erwin Woelfel
July 29-31

A special art exhibit and presentation was be held in the Old Sandstone Gallery featuring the art works of Erwin Woelfel. Hours: Friday, July 29, 6:30-9pm Art Show; Sunday, July 31, 2:00-3:30 Presentation about his interesting life and prolific art works by longtime friend, Joel Johnston. Free to the public.

After many years living and working in Europe (Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Switzerland), Erwin Woelfel came to the US to work for Kable Printing Company in their rotogravure department between 1965 and 1974. Then, he worked for the US Bureau of Printing and Engraving, designing stamps, retiring to Rockford years later. In his private life, he was an artist, played the violin and cello, and traveled widely. Mr. Woelfel died in 2013, leaving behind a large art collection of his works.

A family friend, Joel Johnston, of the Chicago area, will be presenting fascinating information about his life and work while displaying dozens of his art works, stamp boards and festival posters that Mr. Woelfel designed during his lifetime.

This event is sponsored by the Mt. Morris Public Library and Encore! Mt. Morris.

Also, be watching for the new August Art show "Small Town Livin'" next week in the gallery.

August – “Small Town Livin”
August 3-28

A themed fine art show; (Opening night: August 5 with refreshments.).


Village Artist Mercantile, was added to our very popular Village Antique Mercantile on Straw Fest Day; Saturday, August 27 (the final weekend of The US National Straw Sculpting Competition). This high traffic day on the campus included many special events. The Village Mercantile is a growing area for art and antique sales during this expanding annual festival.

Encore! Mt. Morris, is a cultural initiative of the Mt. Morris Economic Development Corp, with the goal of developing Mt. Morris into a unique, thriving, rural and cultural arts destination in northwest Illinois.

Hello, Area Artists,
It’s time for another
Great Encore! Mt. Morris Summer!

We invite you to be part of our plans as a participant and as a visitor! We welcomed over 2000 visitors to Old Sandstone Gallery last summer, in spite of our reduced June hours due to COVID-19.

All summer 2022 art shows will again be held in the Encore! Old Sandstone Gallery, 122 S Wesley Ave, Mt. Morris, IL 61054. Gallery presentations are open to the public during Wednesday and Friday evening concerts (next door band shell) and other community campus events. This year Mt. Morris events include; PorchFest, June 11; Let Freedom Ring festival, June 29-July 4; the US National Straw Sculpting Competition August 12-28, with more to be announced. All events are open to the public and follow state and county COVID guidelines.


These 2022 shows are open to any medium, including, but not limited to: weaving, or other fiber art, pen and ink, oil/acrylic/watercolor paint, pencil, charcoal, sculpture, photography, colored pencil, glass, metal, etc. See show specifications for 2D & 3D format acceptance.

June – “Annual K-12 Student Show”
June 10-29

Art selection for this show is by area art instructors, and represents public and home school student art in the Oregon / Mt. Morris area. We hope you will attend and encourage our emerging, young artists. Opening night: June 10 with refreshments.

July – “Regional Artist’s Showcase”
July 1-27

Artists to be featured this year include: Letha Catalina, Dick Cholke, Rick Davis/wood carvers, Beverly Garcia, Matt Jagitsch, Dale Tulk, Mary vonTish. Opening night: July 1 with refreshments.

Interlude: Erwin Woelfel
July 29-31

A special art exhibit and presentation will be held in the Old Sandstone Gallery featuring the art works of Erwin Woelfel. Hours: Friday, July 29, 6:30-9pm Art Show; Sunday, July 31, 2:00-3:30 Presentation about his interesting life and prolific art works by longtime friend, Joel Johnston. Free to the public.

After many years living and working in Europe (Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, and Switzerland), Erwin Woelfel came to the US to work for Kable Printing Company in their rotogravure department between 1965 and 1974. Then, he worked for the US Bureau of Printing and Engraving, designing stamps, retiring to Rockford years later. In his private life, he was an artist, played the violin and cello, and traveled widely. Mr. Woelfel died in 2013, leaving behind a large art collection of his works.

A family friend, Joel Johnston, of the Chicago area, will be presenting fascinating information about his life and work while displaying dozens of his art works, stamp boards and festival posters that Mr. Woelfel designed during his lifetime.

This event is sponsored by the Mt. Morris Public Library and Encore! Mt. Morris.

Also, be watching for the new August Art show "Small Town Livin'" next week in the gallery.

August – “Small Town Livin”
August 3-28

A themed fine art show; (Opening night: August 5 with refreshments.). The Call for Entries will be available at EncoreMtMorris.com starting June 20. You may submit up to 3 works. Entry fee: $10 (1) - $20 (2-3). The subject of this show is livin’ in a small town. What does it say to you? Whether it be rural architecture (homes, downtown streetscapes, landmarks in town) or lifestyles (coffee groups in town cafe, family picnics, kids on bikes or in town park, gardening, community service, festivals), etc., any medium is possible! Minimum size: 11 x 14 framed; Maximum size: 48.” Sculptures or other 3D objects also accepted.


Village Artist Mercantile, is being added to our very popular Village Antique Mercantile on Straw Fest Day; Saturday, August 27 (the final weekend of The US National Straw Sculpting Competition). This high traffic day on the campus includes many special events. The Village Mercantile is a growing area for art and antique sales during this expanding annual festival. More details to follow. We hope this advance notice will inspire you to think about how you might get involved.

Encore! Mt. Morris, is a cultural initiative of the Mt. Morris Economic Development Corp, with the goal of developing Mt. Morris into a unique, thriving, rural and cultural arts destination in northwest Illinois.

Map to Old Sandstone Gallery