We hope you had a good January! We’ve been hard at work on bringing you some exciting programming in February. Read on to learn about everything we have in store!

All in for Art: A Benefit for Water Street Studios

Saturday, February 22nd, 7-10pm

It’s almost here! Please join us at our fundraiser, All in for Art, benefiting Water Street Studios on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 7p.m. This promises to be a festive evening with a DJ, dancing, heavy apps, an open bar, and casino games in the dock. This is an opportunity to show off the studio you love, support Water Street, and have a fantastic time with friends! Your support allows Water Street Studios to keep thriving as a hub for art in our community. See you there!

Here’s how you can get involved:

- Purchase tickets and bring friends

- Sponsor the event

- Volunteer to work the event

- Spread the word on socials or through a personalized invitation

We are so grateful to our Event Sponsors:

- Presenting Sponsor: Jessica Jecmen and Dave Morris

- Bar Sponsors: Brother Chimp, Geneva Winery and Naked Wines

- Jackpot Sponsors: Boyce Body Werks, BEI and Linda Bi

- Friends of Water Street: Roger and Judi Breisch, Jo Ann and Troy Corbett, Rachael and Terry Koehler, Bill and Donetta McGrath, W.C. “Buzz” Miller, Erin and Steve Wegener, Rosalie White and Patrick Irwin, Lenity Financial, I&I Specialties and IFB

Get your tickets today

Second Fridays in the Arts District

WE ARE BACK BABY! The best day of every month in 2025 is already decided—and it’s clearly Second Fridays in the Arts District. We’re cooking up tons of fun activities, new workshops, local collaborations and renewed focus of celebrating creativity.

Our next Second Friday is filled with love and kicks off on Friday, February 14th from 6pm-9pm (Valentine’s Day for those that need the reminder ). So if you’re looking for some art-centric fun for you and your main squeeze, headed out with the fam or cruising solo—we’ve got your Friday night plans covered.

Here’s what’s on deck in February…

HAPPENING AT HEARTH & HAMMER

- Book Binding Workshop by Haley Franker: In this 2-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to create a pocket notebook from scratch. Tickets required, Supplies included. $60 Early-Bird • $75 after 1/31

- Book-Lovers’ Book Swap For the love of books... Bring a few books you’re willing to share and leave with a few new-to-you favorites to build out your winter TO-BE-READ pile.

- Coffee Service by Northern Coffee Co: Enjoy locally-fresh coffee service with espresso drinks, hot chocolate and limited winter menu.

- DIY Leather Bookmark Making Bar Complimentary craft for any book-lover toenjoy. Pick a phrase or shape and create your one-of-a-kind custom bookmark!

HAPPENING AT KISS THE SKY

- Live-music performance by: Noah Gabriel @nogabmusic Set time from 7:00pm-8:30pm

- Free cupcakes for show attendees by Addie Cakes (while supplies last)

HAPPENING AT WATER STREET STUDIOS

- Gallery Opening Reception for Rebecca MacLachlan and Angela Rose Wilson in the Dempsey Family Gallery and Joan Bredendick in the Kane County Magazine Gallery

- Ed’s Studio: Right around the corner at 139 First St. View and purchase one of a kind original art pieces by local artist Edward Dlugopolski. More details below.

- Charcuterie by Fancy Nancy's

- Cookie “Art” Sale: Crafted & designed by Robin Theis

- Cash Bar: Select beer, wine and specialty Valentine’s Day cocktails

We can’t wait for this festive fall evening of food, fun, music and celebrating the arts.

See you ’round the block!

This event is FREE to attend but donations to Water Street Studios are gratefully accepted to help us continue to provide events to the community. See you soon!

Ed's Studio?

Missed the opening reception of Ed's Studio? The satellite gallery will be open again for Second Friday, February 14th from 6 pm – 9 pm and again Saturday, February 15th from 9 am to 12 pm. There are many beautiful and affordable original works of art remaining just waiting to find a new home! Pop in and see for yourself!  

Special thanks to Joyce Dlugopolski for bringing this fundraiser to Water Street Studios, Batavia Enterprises for loaning us the space to host the gallery, and to all the volunteers who have donated countless hours to make this project a success! 

Water Street Writers

Join us Sunday, February 23rd, for our next Water Street Writers event!

Water Street Writers is a curated reading series featuring local authors from the suburbs of Chicago. The winter show features the talents of A.D. Nauman, Sandra Wilcoxon, Heidi Bell, and Margot McMahon followed by an Open Mic!

Doors open at 5pm, show starts at 5:30pm in the Dempsey Family Gallery.

Everyone is welcome! Suggested donation is $5. All proceeds go to the featured authors of the evening.

In addition to fine literary entertainment, you may purchase signed copies of our authors’ books. Refreshments will be available from Water Street Studios’s bar.

Let us know you’re coming

Learn more

GALLERIES

Exhibitions run February 14th - March 8^th

“1000 Waking Horses”

Angela Rose Wilson

Dempsey Family Gallery

These experimental ink drawings explore duality—light and dark, presence and absence, the mundane and the extraordinary. The artist captures fleeting moments through portraits of family members unaware of their gaze, as well as imagined supernatural elements and stream-of-consciousness forms. The ink’s permanence contrasts with the fragility of paper, reinforcing the impermanence of time, while the process itself feels “live” and unedited. Through these works, they create personal icons, paying tribute to the wonder found in seemingly insignificant moments.

“Rebecca Maclachlan

Survey: 2019-2024”

Dempsey Family Gallery

Rebecca Jane MacLachlan (b. 1978) is an American artist who received her Bachelor of Fine Art in Printmaking and Drawing from Colorado State University in 2001. From 2001 until 2017, she pursued a career in Administration and Event Planning. 2017 marked the return to Fine Art,  as she pursued her Master of Fine Art in Intaglio Printmaking and Painting from Studio Arts College International in Florence, Italy. After receiving her MFA in 2019, she returned to the Chicagoland area where she currently works and resides practicing in Painting, Drawing and Printmaking.

“Paint is Paint”

Joan Bredendick

Kane County Magazine Gallery

Bredendick embraces a non-traditional approach to watercolor, using layered glazes and incised textures to create depth and movement. Her work often features animals—especially cats—alongside the female figure, blending narrative, fantasy, and unexpected details. A fascination with koi fish inspires dynamic compositions, while the “cat” series explores the essence of feline nature beyond mere appearance. Through strong design and storytelling, her paintings invite viewers to look beyond the obvious and question what they truly see.

School of Art:

The Art of Digital Photography

This beginner digital photography course introduces students to the fundamentals of digital photography, covering topics such as camera operation, composition, lighting, and basic post-processing techniques.

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Creature Design (Ages 10+)

Learn to create dynamic and fantastical monsters from a variety of genres by exploring the art of the most basic art medium: Pencils.

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Date Night Sip & Throw

Join us for a fun and creative date night! In this 3-hour class, you'll learn how to throw a bowl on the pottery wheel. Multiple sessions available.

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Jumpstart Your Creative Writing

In this course, participants will explore four different methods for accessing their creativity and generating new writing.  The methods will include mining your life and experiences, responding to art, working with constraints, and remixing source material to create new creative works.

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Water Street Studios depends on the generosity of our community to continue to provide artistic opportunities and support our mission to make art accessible to everyone. Please donate today towards our anniversary campaign! 

Make a Donation

The 2025 application for Batavia MainStreet's Artisan Collective is open now! Apply now to be a part of the monthly summer outdoor market!

Learn more and apply!