Shawnee Hills Art Council

Shawnee Hills Photo Collective
2026-02-26 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-03-26 18:30 - 20:00 UTC
Meet up to connect with other photographers working in the region in this new forum! This group will serve as a networking opportunity and the collective will seek to share techniques and methods, complete projects together, workshop individual ideas, and more. The group will serve as a space for photographers of all skill levels, working either with smart phones on up to a full professional setup, to learn and see what works for others. As the year progresses all participants will decide as a group the direction for a project that will be displayed at the art center to showcase their work and gain exhibition experience.
The group will meet monthly on the fourth Thursday of the month and is free to attend.
The group is facilitated by Caleb Hale, a working professional portrait photographer, who has years of experience practicing and teaching photography.

Blue and Gray Dinner - Civil War Weekend
2026-02-27 17:00 - 19:30
Join us for the annual Blue & Gray Dinner, a catered meal garnished with a knowledgeable guest speaker. This year’s speaker will be Betsy Brown, the President of the Board for the General John A. Logan Museum. She will be speaking on Logan’s belief before the Civil War and changes in his thinking as the conflict progressed.
Tickets are $25 for dinner and reservations can be made with Lee (904-625-1109) no later than 02/24/2026.

Civil War Weekend - Speakers and Exhibits
2026-02-28 09:00 - 14:00
Exhibits and Speakers are open to the public and free!
9 am: “Sherman: Madman or Genius?” The military career of Gen. William T. Sherman, including his infamous “March to the Sea” and his continuing influence on modern wars! Presented by Robert Weeks, Retired SIU-C Professor and Founding member of the Cape Civil War Roundtable.
10:15 am: Special Ops Forerunners: The Impact of the Jessie Scouts, the Blazer Scouts, and the Mosby Rangers On the Development of Special Ops Units During World War II and Beyond. Presented by Doda Starkey, Chapter Regent for the Daniel Chapman Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and has served as State Historian for the Illinois State Organization, NSDAR.
11:30 am: War in Copperhead Egypt, the War Within Southern Illinois, 1861-1865, presented by Ed Annable. Neighbors were at odds with one another over slavery and whether Illinois should secede with the Confederacy. Martial Law was declared in some areas and the destruction of people’s houses and properties as well as murder were becoming too common. Learn the history of Lower Eqypt that was swept under the rug.
1 pm: Belle Boyd – Confederate Spy with an Insatiable Appetite for Life, Action, and Excitement by Norma Lee Hackney, PhD
11 am: Lunch – BBQ, Chips, and Drinks for $10 or Hot Dog, Chips, and Drink for $8

Tai Chi Gung with Maribeth
2026-03-02 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-09 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-16 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-23 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-30 11:00 - 12:00
What is Tai Chi Gung?

Gentle, slow, easy exercises for all ages and health conditions
Increased vitality and flow of chi in the body
Reduces stress, clears and focuses the mind
Feelings of inner peace and better sleep

Mondays 11-12pm at SHAC
First class is free! Unlimited classes per week $50/month or $15 for walk-ins
Contact Maribeth Smith at 618-697-0495 or mis103@hotmail.com

Zumba with Amy Sturgeon
2026-03-02 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-03 17:30 - 18:00, 2026-03-10 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-12 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-17 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-19 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-24 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-03-26 17:00 - 18:00 and 5 more dates
Dance your way to fitness!
All fitness levels are welcome, with no experience needed.
Bring water and good vibes.
Tuesdays & Thursdays 5-6 pm. A suggested $5 donation per class.

Monthly Board Meeting
2026-03-02 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-04-06 18:00 - 19:30
The SHAC Board of Directors will be meeting in either the Center Building or the Theater Building. Meetings are open to the public!
Meeting dates are subject to change at times on short notice. If you are interested in attending or presenting a question, comment, or concern to the board please try to contact us prior to the date so we can get you on the agenda and be sure you have the right date.

Spring Fever - Art Exhibit by Jan York
2026-03-08 08:00 - 2026-03-29 17:00
Hours for viewing are Thursdays & Fridays 11-2 pm and Saturdays & Sundays from 1-3 pm.

Opening Reception - Spring Fever by Jan York
2026-03-08 14:00 - 16:00
Join us to welcome featured artist Jan York as her work will be on display from March 8th-29th. There will be an opening reception from 2-4 pm on Sunday March 8th where light refreshments will be served. It is open to the public and free to attend.

Short Story Night
2026-03-16 18:00 - 19:30
Join us for our monthly Short Story Night. The discussion revolves around different thematic elements, story-telling device, and how to story simply makes us feel. Discussions are facilitated by retired philosophy teacher and literary enthusiast, Tom Caldwell.
This month’s story is ‘What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank’ by Nathan Englander.
Bring $3 to share in pizza and your favorite beverage.

Third Thursday Art Social
2026-03-19 18:00 - 20:00
Come on out for our monthly Art Social. Meet with other artists and work simultaneously as individuals or collaborate on a piece. The idea here is to build friendships, share new ideas and techniques, and explore new media or hone old favorites.
The event is free and offered every Third Thursday of the month in our Center Building. Bring your own materials or we will have some available.

Conservation Corner Speaker Series - Tony Gerard
2026-03-30 18:00 - 19:00
Join the Anna-Jo Garden Club as they host a monthly speaker series on conservation topics relevant to land and homeowners, gardeners, enthusiasts, or working professionals.
This month’s speaker will be Tony Gerard who works as an instructor at Shawnee Community College and he will present on reptiles.
The event will take place in the SHAC Theater Building and is free to attend and open to the public.

Tai Chi Gun with Maribeth
2026-04-13 11:00 - 12:00
