Art Gallery

Quad City Arts presents encaustic paintings by Cindy Lesperance, ceramic wall tiles by Nick Schroeder, and steel & yarn sculpture by Amanda

From March 4 through April 27, 2026, Quad City Arts presents encaustic paintings by Cindy Lesperance, ceramic wall tiles by Nick Schroeder, and steel & yarn sculpture by Amanda Langer.

Cindy Lesperance, of Oakwood Hill, Illinois, loves spending time in nature, traveling and learning about other cultures. These life experiences with all the colors, textures and patterns she encounters provide inspiration for her work. Her paintings are created using the ancient medium of Encaustic, a combination of beeswax, damar resin (crystalized tree sap) and pigment. Cindy explains, “In my Strata Series, I invite viewers to contemplate the dance between creation and destruction, growth and decay, as well as the cyclical nature of existence. Just as the Earth’s strata tells a story of enduring transformation, we too have the power to shape our narrative amidst the ever-shifting landscapes of life. Even in the midst of upheaval, there is potential for rebirth.”

Nick Schroeder is a ceramic artist from Milwaukee who has an interest in doing work that is conceptual and that references other artists, art movements, and design. The pieces he presents were inspired by a book devoted to Japanese aesthetics — Japanese Design by Patricia J. Graham. Schroeder says, “I became intrigued by a design concept that she describes: the Japanese term ‘Ma’ translates as ‘an interval in space and time.’ It refers to the presence of empty spaces, abstraction, and asymmetrical balance frequently found in Japanese design.” Clay is a universal medium, and ceramics are particularly important in Japanese culture.

 Amanda Langer is an artist based in Southern Wisconsin whose works explore and investigate the tensions between themes of conflict and harmony, as evidenced in her intricate and compelling mixed-media sculptures.

Langer works primarily in steel and natural fibers, such as cotton, linen and wool, marrying two distinct forms—metalsmithing with knitting and crochet—that are surprising in the ways they both complement and contrast each other. Inspired by textures and the haptic qualities of materials, Amanda admits that materials themselves are often the catalyst driving her creativity. She enjoys “discovering how fiber and metal can be transformed and combined in surprising ways in order to create visual metaphors that reflect journeys of trial and conflict, resolving to find harmony and ultimately create peace.”

All three artists are concerned with finding balance and harmony in art as well as life.

Quad City Arts is a nonprofit local arts agency dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts.  Support for art exhibitions is provided by the Illinois Arts Council and The Cultural Trust. Quad City Arts Gallery is located at 1715 Second Avenue in the Arts and Entertainment District of Rock Island.  Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, contact Dawn Wohlford-Metallo 309-793-1213 X108, or by email at [email protected].

In addition to the airport gallery, the artist’s works can be seen and purchased online: https://www.shopquadcityarts.com/airport-gallery.

Quad City Arts’ Art at the Airport Gallery

Art at the Airport in The Quad Cities International Airport is easy to find. It is across from the gift shop and restaurant and right before the security checkpoint. The gallery never closes, and you will pay just a dollar for the first hour of parking.

Quad City Arts is a nonprofit local arts agency dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. Support for art exhibitions is provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Quad City Arts Gallery is located at 1715 Second Avenue in the Arts and Entertainment District of Rock Island. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, contact Dawn Wohlford-Metallo 309-793-1213 X108, or by email.

www.quadcityarts.com