Old State Capitol Art Fair- celebrating art in the Midwest

For over 50 years, the Old State Capitol Art Fair in Springfield has been the crown jewel of art in the Midwest, featuring artists from neighboring states and across the country. This weekend, art collectors and enthusiasts will gather to admire hundreds of art pieces while enjoying live music and food from local shops during this two-day event.

In 1961, the first ever Old State Capitol Art Fair was held. The original organizers wished to highlight the social, cultural and historical aspects of Springfield to promote city pride and solidify Springfield as a model capital city for other cities across the nation to take note of.

Today, the art fair is an annual event, which serves to bring the city together through art and culture and provides individuals the opportunity to purchase original art. Located on the Old State Capitol grounds, the fair takes over downtown Springfield, outpouring onto surrounding streets and sidewalks.

Over 100 artists attend the fair each year to display and promote their artwork. Each artist brings their own unique style and specializes in different categories of media including acrylic, wood, photography, ceramics and more. Since 2011, the art fair has also featured an interactive display that allows attendees to help recreate a piece of artwork from one of the fair’s featured artists.

Visit the Old State Capitol Art Fair on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to take part in the event.

For more information, visit the Old Capitol Art Fair’s website.

Happy viewing!

Illinois Innovation Day

May 14 is Illinois Innovation Day! Illinois is a complex Midwestern hub rich in innovation, economic development and tech growth. Illinois Innovation Day serves as a recognition of the triumphs of creativity and innovation for the overall development and evolution of humankind. In celebrating this significant day, let’s recognize some of the unique and popular innovations created in Illinois:

• The first mobile cell phone: Developed by Martin Cooper in Schaumburg and launched in 1973, the cell phone changed history and further evolved the way we communicate. Cooper’s innovation opened the doors for other grand inventors.
• Plasma TV: In 1964, University of Illinois professors Donald Bitzer and Gene Slottow built the first plasma prototype display using technology that led to the creation of the plasma TV.
• Web browser: Mosaic, the first popular web browser, was built in 1992 at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Marc Andreessen and Eric Bina created Mosaic and helped popularize the World Wide Web. Mosaic was credited with leading the internet boom of the 1990s.
• Prostate and breast cancer breakthrough: In 1951, University of Chicago physiologist Charles Huggins discovered that breast and prostate cancer cells are dependent on hormones, paving the way for the development of hormone therapy treatment for cancer patients.
• McDonald’s: Ray Kroc revolutionized the franchise fast food industry when he opened the nation’s first McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines in 1955, complete with the golden arches.
• GrubHub: The online restaurant delivery business GrubHub was formed in Chicago in 2004, eventually expanding to more than 13,000 restaurant listings.

International visitor growth boosts economy

Illinois is a state that embodies innovation, craft, surprise and creativity, so it is no surprise that 2.16 million international travelers visited the state in 2023. This boosted the Illinois economy by nearly $2.7 billion, a 47% increase from the previous year.

In 2023, Illinois welcomed visitors from Canada, Mexico, India, the UK, Germany and many other countries. This vast increase in international tourism shows a growing global appeal of Illinois. 

Illinois is full of attractions. The state boasts beautiful state parks including Matthiessen, Garden of the Gods and Starved Rock, attractions such as  Henson Robinson Zoo, Grady’s Park and Sea Lion Aquatic Park, and museums like the Art Institute of Chicago, The Schweikher House and Curiosity Museum.

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Honoring Excellence in Education: The Golden Apple Awards and National Teacher Day

Education is one of the fundamental pillars of our society, shaping the minds and futures of generations of students. Recognizing the vital role that educators play in this process, the Golden Apple Awards were established in Illinois to honor outstanding teachers and their invaluable contributions. Additionally, May 7 is National Teachers Day, making this time of the year the perfect opportunity to celebrate the educators and teachers in our communities.

The Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching was established in 1986 by Mike and Pat Koldyke through the Golden Apple Foundation. This distinguished accolade is awarded annually to exceptional teachers and school leaders in Illinois who exhibit excellence in teaching and educational leadership. The mission of the Golden Apple Foundation goes beyond mere recognition – it aims to inspire, develop and support teacher excellence in Illinois, especially in schools of need.

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