Local artists gather for Rockford Area Arts Council’s summer social

The Rockford Area Arts Council hosted a ‘Summer Social’ at Levings Lake, bringing together local artists to celebrate the end of summer.

The event aimed to provide a space for artists from various mediums to connect and collaborate, featuring food trucks and music to enhance the social atmosphere.

“There is power in community,” said Jordan DeWilde, community engagement officer at the Rockford Area Arts Council. “Being inspired by your fellow artists and having some peers is important.”

The ‘Summer Social’ was the first creative community event organized by the Rockford Area Arts Council, designed to foster connections among visual artists, musicians, writers, and performers. “Tonight we have visual artists meeting with musicians,” DeWilde explained, highlighting the diverse interactions taking place.

DeWilde emphasized the importance of such gatherings for artists who often work in isolation. “Even though we may create for ourselves and may create in our own studios, being able to connect with others just makes that so much more powerful,” he said.

The Arts Council also plans to continue supporting the local arts community through upcoming events like the Fall Arts Scene, a bi-annual gallery walk showcasing local talent.

The ‘Summer Social’ marks a significant step in uniting Rockford’s creative community, offering artists a platform to share their work and ideas.

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