‘The show must go on’ isn’t just a saying at Belleville’s Art on the Square this year
They took charge during a crisis and lived to tell about it.
Art on the Square Co-Directors Rebecca Boyer and Karl Gilpin expect the downtown Belleville art fair to not only take place this weekend, but to be as successful as it has been for more than 20 years.
The board of directors has “freshened things up” with new artists and new food vendors, they said. The overall format is the same.
“At this point, we’re happy,” said Boyer, who also is vice president of operations for Kaskaskia Engineering Group. “All of the really hard work has been done, and we’re still friends.”
Problems with Art on the Square surfaced last fall, when former Co-Directors Carol Bartle and Stephanie Dorris sent an email to committee chairs, stating that they didn’t “see a path” for 2025. Bartle was retiring, Dorris was moving to Florida, and they had no replacements.
It was Gilpin, a local real-estate developer and president of Tygracon Properties, who persuaded Boyer to take over the city’s biggest event and tourist attraction. She agreed, if he would share the responsibility.
Last week, they admitted that planning and execution has involved more work than they realized.
“There was just so much to do, and it took so much of our time,” Gilpin said. “We already work 50 or 60 hours a week with our regular jobs. Then we added another 20 hours.”
But the two aren’t complaining. In fact, they’re upbeat about what has been accomplished with support from other board members, committee chairs, volunteers, sponsors and local businesses.
News of Art on the Square’s difficulties last year may have actually helped them, according to Boyer.
“People felt sorry for us,” she said, only half joking.
This year’s theme is, “The show must go on.” Hours are 4 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Public Square and East Main Street will be lined with booths operated by 108 artists.
Artists are selected as part of a jury process. This year, the board received more than 600 applications from all over the United States and beyond.
“About half (of the 108 artists) are new,” Boyer said. “They’ve never been here before.”
The artist-in-residence program in local schools will be expanded to The CAVE (Center for Academic & Vocational Excellence) this year, with visiting artists leading students on art projects.
Also returning are the High School Sculpture in the City program and Children’s Art Garden, where crafts will include puppet-making, in line with “The show must go on” theme.
The board has invited both new and returning food vendors, which will serve everything from Mexican and Mediterranean fare to American options such as Beast Craft BBQ Co. barbecue and Steve’s Hot Dogs.
“We have quite the selection on food vendors, which is what we were shooting for,” Gilpin said.
One new activity this year is a seven-course wine dinner with art-themed dishes on Tuesday night at Clara B’s Kitchen Table. Grafted Wine Bar & Lounge, which is operated by Gilpin’s wife, Magda, is co-hosting. Only 40 tickets were sold.
The board has increased Art on the Square’s digital marketing, and Gilpin ordered a wider variety of souvenirs this year. People can get coasters, windbreakers, golf towels and charcuterie boards.
Will Boyer and Gilpin stay in their roles next year? Yes.
“Why would you do all this and pass it off?” Boyer asked. “At least take what you’ve learned and try to improve on it.”
This story was originally published May 13, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
