"Rural Road," watercolor by Gloria Martin

DIXON - There is something for everyone at the annual art fundraiser benefiting the Sinnissippi Foundation. The 13th Annual Expressions Art Sale and Reception is taking place now through Friday, April 21 at The Next Picture Show, 113 West First St., Dixon.

“This event is always fun and exciting,” said Expressions coordinator Andy Jackson. “We have received many beautiful pieces of art as well as a wide variety of valuable and unique silent auction items. There is something for everyone at Expressions. We have been fortunate that this event has grown each year in the past several years to match the increasing need for the Foundation to raise funds to provide for the urgent needs of Sinnissippi Centers’ clients.”

In addition, Sauk Valley Bank has returned as co-sponsor in 2017. "We are very pleased to have Sauk Valley Bank’s continued support of Expressions,” says Jackson. “They play an important role in making this event a success. They have been a wonderful supporter of the Sinnissippi Foundation, but they have also demonstrated a commitment to the arts and to their local community as well. It’s a pleasure to have them on board and a very natural fit for the local community oriented organization.”

Jackson acknowledges that they could not have a high quality event like Expressions without the dozens of sponsors, artists, businesses and organizations who donate silent auction items; The Next Picture Show staff and volunteers,; and Sinnissippi Centers and Sinnissippi Foundation board members and staff volunteers.

Art and silent auction items are now on display and can be viewed during gallery hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Art items can be purchased at any time and bids can be placed on the silent auction items. Art and silent auction items remain on display through April 21. Expressions will conclude on Friday, April 21 at the gallery with an evening reception from 5-9 p.m.

"Window View," original painting by Ellen Ebert, is a silent auction item.

To get more information about Expressions, call the Foundation at (815) 284-9380 or visit online at www.sinnissippi.org and click on the Expressions link on the home page to view the event details. There are also links to two photo galleries, one for art and one for silent auction items. This information is also located on the Foundation’s Facebook fan page (search for the Sinnissippi Foundation).

Proceeds from Expressions help the Foundation continue its mission of providing for the urgent needs of individuals and families in the Sinnissippi Community such as allowing Sinnissippi clients to afford vital treatment and medications, keeping families in their homes or helping a family obtain safe housing, keeping the heat on during the cold winter months, providing a much needed meal during the holidays with a holiday food basket, and supporting events that promote and celebrate recovery and wellness.

This year’s art sale donating artists include Kate Askegaard, David Bingaman, Graydon Cafarella, Charles Cook, Tim Drane, Rachelle Gunderson, Jan Harvey, James Hey, Becky Hundrieser, Charles Kerr, Pat Lathe, Bob Logsdon, Jennifer Lubbs, Barb Lundeen, Gloria Martin, Ellen Mumford, Ann Marie Potts, Ken Reif, Stuart Roddy, Kevin Smoot, Karen Tucker and Lucinda Winterfield.

Featured silent auction items include major and minor league baseball game tickets including Cubs, White Sox and Cardinals; official NFL football autographed by the Green Bay Packers; a mystery amount money tree; tickets to entertainment venues and events, including tickets to see Tim McGraw and Faith Hill; tickets to Dixon Stage Left and dinner at Orom; tickets to Circa 21 Dinner Playhouse; tickets to Second City’s UP Comedy Club and to Comedy Sportz Quad Cities; general admission passes to Shedd Aquarium; works by local artists; theatre and other live performance tickets; hotel stay; and fresh baked goods.