ARTSwil, an umbrella organization dedicated to promoting arts in southwestern Illinois, will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Southwestern Illinois College's Schmidt Arts Center.
The group is committed to increasing community awareness, promoting participation, and fostering an environment for the atts to thrive. Members represent colleges, universities, performing arts, festivals, arts centers and cultural centers.
"By coming together, we offer members a collaborative body to promote the arts and support regional arts programs in the southwestern Illinois region," said David Cox, the group's president.The group maintains the website, www.artswil.org, and a comprehensive events calendar is available. Arts and culture organizations may join as members for $50 a year. Dues can be mailed to Peter Palermo, Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, 701 College Road, Lebanon, IL 62254.
Only organizations can be members, not individuals. Upon payment of dues, one person from the organization has a vote, but any number of people from the organization can attend meetings.
The group began meeting in fall 2010. David Paeth and Jeff Blue of Southwestern Illinois College were the initial organizers, and Blue serves as vice-president. Other founding officers were Beth Lundy of Masterworks Chorale, secretary and Peter Palermo of the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, treasurer. The board of trustees are: Larry Betz of Belleville Arts and Culture Society and Belleville Historical Society; Sharon Bradham, Cedarhurst Center for the Arts; Jodi Caticchio of O'Fallon Arts Commission; Gary Olds, Scott Air Force Base Arts and Crafts Center; Katherine Nahorski of the Jacoby Art Center, and Lynn Venhaus of the Brass Rail Players.
For more information on membership benefits, visit the website, www.artswil.org, or contact Cox, who can be reached at: david@bellevillephilharmonic.org, or Palermo, at pjpalermo@mckendree.edu.
