Liberty Arts Festival

Whether you're a budding artist or veteran virtuoso, you're invited to Downtown Morris for the 2024 Liberty Arts Festival. The event returns with an Art Stroll on the Grundy County Courthouse Lawn, Creator's Village for children, live music and dance performances, food trucks, and the popular Sip 'N Shop throughout the boutiques and retail stores.

Schedule of Events

10:00am

Art Stroll Opens
Courthouse Lawn

Juried show features 40+ Illinois artists, with art available for purchase. Live demos by many artisans. Chat with artists, get inspired, and support local art! Booth fees donated to the Exibit Fine Arts Gallery. Students received a free space at today's show.

Roy Backus & Friends Jazz Ensemble
Courthouse Lawn

Creator's Village Opens
Washington Street

Features crafts for kids, including tye dye shirts (while supplies last), bookmarks, doodle challenge, handprint alphabet art. Enjoy a bounce house, face painting, and popsicles. All activities are free.

Grateful Clay Pottery Wheel Class (pre-sold)
Fraternal Order of Eagles (Bar Open to Public)
120 Liberty Street

Morris Area Public Library
801 N. Liberty
View rare art by Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali and Belarusian-French modernist Marc Chagall on loan from a Morris resident, visible only during the Liberty Arts Festival. All ages welcome

Non-Juried Art Shows
United Methodist Church- 118 W. Jackson

Morris Watercolor Guild will feature works by local artists of varied mediums. The Methodist Prayer Shaw Ministry will showcase afghans, blankets and prayer shawls to donate to those in need. Guests can sign up for no-cost crocheting and knitting classes, appropriate for all skill levels.

Ed Rolls Food Truck Opens
Washington Street
Executive chef Ed Nepomuceno's returns with his Filipino fusion menu.

Grundy Area Historical Museum
510 Illinois Avenue
Enjoy art past and present with Goose Lake Prairie Partners weavers, Laurel Lake McGuire painting, First Presbyterian quilters, Morris Watercolor Guild Gallery, and Tom Turner Porcelain Pottery.

11:00am
Sip N' Shop
Welcome Table (Start) - Corner of Washington & Liberty Streets

Guests 21 and over receive a wristband and cup to sample curated cocktails at nearly 20 downtown stores. Vote for your favorite to earn a donation to charity. Return your card to any participating shop or the welcome tent for a chance to win $250 in gift cards.

Grateful Clay Pottery Wheel Demo (no registration required)
Fraternal Order of Eagles
120 Liberty Street
The bar at the Eagles is open for guests throughout the festival.

11:30am
Morris High School Varsity Poms
Intersection of Washington & Liberty

12:00pm
Pizzaz Dancers, Donna Mueller's School of Dance
Intersection of Washington & Liberty

Grateful Clay Pottery Wheel Class (pre-sold)
Fraternal Order of Eagles
120 Liberty Street

12:30pm
Performance

1:00pm
Reilly Sanders Vocal Studio
Intersection of Washington & Liberty

Grateful Clay Pottery Wheel Class (pre-sold)
Fraternal Order of Eagles
120 Liberty Street

2:00pm
Grateful Clay Pottery Wheel Class (pre-sold)
Fraternal Order of Eagles
120 Liberty Street

3:00pm
New Era Community Choir
Courthouse Lawn

Art Stroll Awards
Prizes of $25-$100 will be awarded for aesthetics, quality of work, and interaction with the crowd.

Grateful Clay Pottery Wheel Demo (no registration required)
Fraternal Order of Eagles