On Sunday, October 21st, visitors will have the opportunity to meet artist Chris Berti and listen to a presentation of his work at the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery. This will be the first installment in the series of three Meet the Artist events mounted in conjunction with the exhibition While All the Tribes of Birds Sang.

The Illinois Artisans Shop highlights the work of Chicago artist Bonnie Lopez during the month of October. A member of the Illinois Artisans Program since 1999, Bonnie Lopez will create a life size "La Catrina" for the display window of the Illinois Artisans Shop.

The Illinois Artisans Program hosts the Collective Creations Art Spree in the James R. Thompson Center Atrium on October 25 & 26 from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The Collective Creations Art Spree is part of Chicago Artists Month. This year's theme, Creative Alliances explores how artists work together, create community, and develop partnerships and collaborations as they realize their goals.

Come to the Illinois State Museum on Saturday, September 8 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to celebrate 25 years of hands-on fun in A Place for Discovery. There will be engaging educational activities throughout the Museum during this free, family event sponsored by Bank of Springfield.

On Saturday, September 8, the Illinois State Museum Super Saturday program series will host "Making My Museum: Dynamic Dioramas and Awesome Art." Get creative and design your own museum displays.

On Monday, September 10, 2007—at the onset of fall bird migration—the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery will open While All the Tribes of Birds Sang, a new art exhibition of historic and contemporary bird imagery that includes paintings, prints, sculpture, decoys, rare books and bird mounts. The exhibition will continue through Friday, February 29, 2008.

More consumers and businesses in Illinois can enjoy the benefits of broadband as Verizon Online expands availability of its High Speed Internet Service in the following 13 cities: Bellmont, Capron, Dakota, Galva, Greenfield, McLeansboro, Norris City, Palestine, Paulton, Pearl City, Walnut, Willow Hill and Wyoming.

Illinois artists are invited to submit applications to the Illinois Artisans Program, a program of the Illinois State Museum.

Find gifts that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Illinois at the Ethnic Arts Bazaar at Illinois State Museum on August 15th & 16th, 2007, 10:00 A.M. – 3:30 P.M.

Ceramicist Catherine Schwalbe-Bouzide is featured in the August Window Exhibit of the Illinois Artisans Shop at the James R. Thompson Center.

Visitors to the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery's current exhibition The Art of Preston Jackson have offered unanimous praise for the bronze sculpture and paintings by the Peoria, Illinois artist.

Illinois State Museum will present a display of Abingdon Pottery Artware in the Museum lobby, August 10, 2007 through October 15, 2007. In keeping with the Illinois State Museum's commitment of preserving and interpreting Illinois' creative and industrial heritage, The Museum is exhibiting many pieces held by members of the Abingdon Pottery Collectors along side pieces from the Museum's collection.