The Buchanan Center for the Arts and Clear Profits Partner to Celebrate the Town and Country Art Show

By - Susan Van Kirk, President of the Buchanan Center for the Arts

The Town and Country Art Show for 2026 is continuing a cherished, six-decade tradition of celebrating youth creativity. This vibrant exhibition, produced by the Buchanan Center for the Arts, showcases the diverse talents of 6-12th grade students from Henderson, Mercer and Warren counties. Stop down at Clear Profits, 227 S. Main Street, in Monmouth each weekday from 3-5 pm to see the amazing art work from the 3-county area.

Admission is free and open to the public, making it an accessible community event for families and art lovers alike. The ribbons and huge awards like “Best in Show” were presented at an opening on March 14. The show continues through April 10. Amy Vellenga-Buban was this year’s judge, and the show is sponsored by Clear Profits and the Illinois Arts Council.

Alan McKee, currently a marketing strategist for Clear Profits, has fond memories of entering the Town and Country Art Show when he was in school. “What I remember is how exciting it was as a young student to have artwork displayed publicly. I think opportunities like this are incredibly valuable for young artists. Having a place where their work can be shared and appreciated by the community is a meaningful experience, and it’s something our area is lucky to have.

It’s been a pleasure to host the show here at Clear Profits while the Buchanan Center building is under renovation. Walking through our space and seeing the creativity from students across the area has been really enjoyable for our team. It’s a reminder of how much talent there is in our local schools, and it’s neat to see the variety of pieces every day when we come into the office.

We’ve enjoyed being able to support the BCA in this small way, and we’re looking forward to seeing all the remarkable things that will happen once their building renovations are complete. The arts are such an important part of a healthy community, and it’s exciting to see that continuing to grow here.”

Feel free to stop down weekdays, 3-5 pm, to look at the amazing artwork from Warren, Henderson and Mercer Counties. The exhibition closes on April 10th.