2005 marked the 50th anniversary of Rockford Art Guild

In 1955 a group of ten area artists formed a new organization to expand their expertise and increase community awareness of the visual arts. Rockford Amateur Artists, as they called themselves, first met in a hardware store on North Main Street, then in 1958 moved to Second Congregational Church, adopting a new name: Art Guild of Rockford.

Now, as Rockford Art Guild, the group currently meets at Katies Cup on 7th Street in Rockford, Illinois. The Guild still seeks artists, amateur as well as professional, who want to expand their knowledge, hone their skills, and support arts in the region.

The Guild’s first exhibit, as the Festival of Arts & Crafts, was held in Harlem High School in 1956. Today it sponsors the annual Rockford Artists Fair, held in Beattie Park, downtown Rockford. The Fair, a juried and judged show, draws artists from around the country, who show their work and compete for cash prizes. RAG also sponsors an artist competition at the Winnebago County Fair, sponsors several workshops throughout the year, and invites guest speakers for their monthly meetings.