2026-27 Art Season Sets Records

Staff Contributor: 
René Bue, HPL Art & Exhibit Coordinator and Fund Development Manager

Janesville and the surrounding area are full of talented artists, and we are fortunate to be able to host many of them in our four art exhibit areas at the library. Art is available for viewing during regular library hours and can be found throughout the building. Viewers are encouraged to leave written comments for the artists in the binder located in the Fireplace Room.

Each year we begin early to recruit artists for the next art season. We receive inquiries about how to participate in the jurying process to select the artists who will have exhibits. During the week when artists start to drop off their artwork for review, they come in slowly, and we always worry that we won't have many artists participate. This year, our concerns were unfounded.

By the end of the week, 40 artists had submitted two to three pieces of artwork each! We thought we were excited last year when we had 23 artists participate, but this year was record-breaking! Another record breaker for the HPL art jurying and exhibits is that we will host the watercolor exhibit of a 9-year-old artist who demonstrates incredible talent at this young age.

Artwork for the 2026-27 season will include oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings, mixed media, pencil drawings, photography, other 2D art, and some incredible 3D art. There are landscapes, wildlife, abstracts, portraits, and more. Many pieces will transport the viewer to distant lands and fantasy locations.

If you are interested in seeing a sampling of the artwork that will be exhibited from June 2026-April 2027 and meeting the artists, be sure to join us on Thursday, May 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Program Room for the Artist Sneak Peek. Artists will be available to answer questions and talk about what inspires them. Also, during the month of May, each artist will have one piece of their artwork on display as a part of the Sneak Peek month.

Want to exhibit at HPL? 
The library schedules exhibits and displays of interest, information, and enlightenment to the community throughout the year. Learn more about becoming a featured artist.

See our full calendar of upcoming exhibits and displays.