Water Street Writers is a curated reading series featuring local authors from the suburbs of Chicago. Events are held quarterly in the Dempsey Family gallery. Doors open at 5pm, event begins at 5:30pm. Suggested donations of $5. All proceeds go to the featured authors, your support is much appreciated! Learn more about this month’s featured authors below.

Rick Holinger

Rick Holinger’s fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, book reviews, and scholarly articles have appeared in The Southern Review, Chautauqua, Southern Indiana Review, The Iowa Review, Boulevard, and have garnered four Pushcart Prize nominations. His short fiction will appear in Best Microfiction 2025 and was nominated for Best Microfiction 2025 and Best Small Fictions 2025. Books include a forthcoming collection of short fictions, Unimaginable Things and Other Stories, some stories appearing in Witness, Vestal Review, Midway Journal, and more.

A chapbook, Down from the Sycamores: Poems, is available for pre-sale until April 25, 2025, with a release date of June 20. Poems have been previously published in Boulevard, The Texas Review, Rhino, and elsewhere. Poet and UIC professor Christina Pugh writes, “Down from the Sycamores is a variegated bouquet of lyric thought, sound, and sight, which will move as well as enliven the reader.”

Get your copy here: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/.../down-from-the.../...

Rick has taught English and creative writing on the college and secondary school levels and currently lives in Northern, Illinois.

Christopher Kuhl

Christopher Kuhl’s writing focuses intensely on how people deal with change: our coming of age, how we process grief, how we cope with death, our own upcoming demise in addition to the death of others. Kuhl’s depiction of the human condition and our relationship with time reveal a deep spirituality.
Kuhl’s life as a poet in a small town appears frequently in his work. His connection to a rural, natural setting is evident as he is originally from the northern Adirondacks. Kuhl now writes in a small river town in Illinois, where he has lived for the last 32 years.

https://christopherkuhlwriter.com/home/

David Berner

David W. Berner is an acclaimed, award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, memoir, short stories, and poetry.. His work includes the novels A Well-Respected Man, The Islander, Night Radio, Sandman, and Rainbow Man, and the nonfiction books Accidental Lessons, Any Road Will Take You There, Walks with Sam, The Consequence of Stars, and Daylight Saving Time.

He has won the Eric Hoffer Book Award, the NYC Big Book Award, the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors Award for Literary Fiction, and the Book of the Year Award from the Chicago Writers Association. He's also been recognized by the Paris Book Festival and The Society of Midland Authors.

In 2011, David was named the Writer-in-Residence at the Jack Kerouac Project in Orlando, FL and in 2015 was named the at the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Home and Museum in Oak Park, IL.

https://www.davidwberner.com/

Michelle Donfrio

Michelle Donfrio received her MA in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University. Whether copywriting, coordinating a national media campaign, leading a team as an Internal Communications Manager, or writing large-scale change communications, she enjoys unique career challenges and opportunities for growth. Last year, Michelle left her corporate job to spend more time with her toddler. She is now a part-time Communications Specialist for the City of Naperville. Poetry is her favorite pastime. She has served as a poetry editor for Crack the Spine literary magazine and as a judge for the Fox Valley Youth Poet Laureate project. Her poetry has appeared in several literary magazines, and her poem “Pins and Needles” was featured on Aurora’s Paramount Theater building throughout April 2021. During the pandemic, she collaborated with two of her friends to self-publish a poetry and photography book, Poetography: A Journey Through Seasons. Fun fact: Before COVID-19, Michelle used to be a Waterline Writers Co-Creative Director. She’s excited to be on the other side of the microphone!

Her book can be purchased here: https://www.blurb.com/b/10640395-poetography

Want to be a reader? Learn how here. Submissions are open to any genre and all kinds of performance.

Sponsored by the Republic of Letters,

On Sunday, April 13th, Jessica Jecmen will be hosting a shopping event at House of 423 in Geneva from 12-2pm. You’ll get a chance to enjoy the latest spring fashions and WSS will receive 15% of the pre tax profits from this event (if we get more than 20 transactions- we’ll up that to 20%!), plus all guests will receive a gift card with 10% of their pre-tax purchase amount for future online or in store purchases. This is a great way to stock up for Mother’s Day, Easter, Graduation or whatever Spring and Summer events you have. You can also purchase gift cards for any of these upcoming events and we’ll receive a portion.

Check out House of 423 here.

RSVP here.

Join us for our monthly Second Friday in the Arts District. Water Street Studios will host a gallery opening reception. Visit our neighbors at Kiss the Sky and Hearth & Hammer to shop and for special pop-ups. This event is open to all and free to attend! Visit the exhibitions page for details on the exhibiting artists.

Donations are greatly appreciated and go to support or mission.

Exhibition runs April 11th - May 3rd

Join us for our monthly Second Friday in the Arts District. Water Street Studios will host a gallery opening reception. Our March 2025 gallery exhibit will feature artists: Area Hispanic Artists Raul Rodea, Gerardo Madrigal,Juan Francisco Sepulveda, Joe Hernandez, Pierre Lucero.

Visit our neighbors at Kiss the Sky and Hearth & Hammer to shop and for special pop-ups. This event is open to all and free to attend! Donations are greatly appreciated and go to support or mission.

Exhibition runs March 14th - April 5th

The gallery is closed today for a private event.

Host your next event in our award winning gallery! Complete the form here or reach out to events@waterstreetstudios.org for more information.

Water Street Writers is a curated reading series featuring local authors from the suburbs of Chicago. Events are held quarterly in the Dempsey Family gallery. Doors open at 5pm, event begins at 5:30pm. Suggested donations of $5. All proceeds go to the featured authors, your support is much appreciated!

Want to be a reader? Learn how here. Submissions are open to any genre and all kinds of performance.

Sponsored by the Republic of Letters,

Join us for a benefit at Water Street Studios!

Your ticket includes heavy apps and dessert, an open bar, dance floor with a DJ, a wine pull, and your chance to play with "funny money" at Casino games. No additional funds are needed- you can play until your "money" runs out...and we'll have awards for the players with the most money at the end of the evening!

Cocktail attire is encouraged. Tickets are sold in advance- just check in at the door.

You can park on Water Street, at the Batavia Library or at the public lot at Flinn Street (behind the Water Street building). Entry to the show is through the main Water Street doors at 160 S. Water Street- follow the signs and balloons! Doors to the Dock will be locked.

Get your tickets here

The gallery is closed today for a private event.

Host your next event in our award winning gallery! Complete the form here or reach out to events@waterstreetstudios.org for more information.

A free-flowing community experience curated for the senses.

Art | Live Music | Food | Drink | Shopping

WE ARE BACK BABY! The best day of every month is 2025 is already decided—and it’s clearly Second Fridays in the Arts District. We’re cooking up tons of fun activations, new workshops, local collaborations and renewed focus of celebrating creativity.

Our next Second Friday is filled with love and kicks off on Friday, February 14th from 6pm-9pm (Valentine’s Day for those that need the reminder ). So if you’re looking for some art-centric fun for you and your main squeeze, headed out with the fam or cruising solo—we’ve got your Friday night plans covered.

Here’s what’s on deck in February…

HAPPENING AT 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢𝗦

-Gallery Opening Reception for Rebecca MacLachlan and Angela Rose Wilson in the Dempsey Family Gallery and Joan Bredendick in the Kane County Magazine Gallery
-Ed’s Studio: Right around the corner at 139 First St. View and purchase one of a kind original art pieces by local artist Edward Dlugopolski
-Charcuterie by Fancy Nancy's
-Cookie “Art” Sale: Crafted & designed by Robin Theis
-Cash Bar: Select beer, wine and specialty Valentine’s Day cocktails

HAPPENING AT 𝗞𝗜𝗦𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗞𝗬

-Live-music performance by: Noah Gabriel Set time from 7:00pm-8:30pm
-Free cupcakes for show attendees by Addie Cakes (while supplies last)

HAPPENING AT 𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛 & 𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗥

-Book Binding Workshop by Haley Franker: In this 2-hour workshop, you’ll learn how to create a pocket notebook from scratch. Tickets required, Supplies included. $60 Early-Bird • $75 after 1/31
-Book-Lovers’ Book Swap For the love of books... Bring a few books you’re willing to share and leave with a few new-to-you favorites to build out your winter TO-BE-READ pile.
-Coffee Service by Northern Coffee Co: Enjoy locally-fresh coffee service with espresso drinks, hot chocolate and limited winter menu.
-DIY Leather Bookmark Making Bar Complimentary craft for any book-lover to enjoy. Pick a phrase or shape and create your one-of-a-kind custom bookmark!

We can’t wait for this festive fall evening of food, fun, music and celebrating the arts.

See you ’round the block!

This event is FREE to attend but donations to Water Street Studios are gratefully accepted to help us continue to provide events to the community. See you soon!

Join us for an encore performance of the Wilson River Band! In 2023 the Wilson River Band formed as six individuals who have passionately played music their entire lives. Their goal is to present a different type of band that can play all kinds of venues and events. With their diverse experience, they deliver songs in a variety of genres. Their members are experts on their respective instruments. Vocals and harmonizing are the priority. They have two lead vocalists who between them can sing the widest of vocal ranges enabling them to cover a wide variety of songs. Most all the members sing which lends variety to our shows. They play music from the late 50s to the present, although their concentrations are in the 60s through the 80s. They cover classic rock, pop and some country.

This is the second show Wilson River Band has played with Water Street- in fact they launched their new band at Water Street Studios as a fundraiser to expand our ceramics offering! We are grateful to this band to their continued support. Tickets are $20 in advance or at the door.

Get your tickets here.

We are closed to the public today for a private event rental.

Host your next birthday party, shower, wedding or meeting at Water Street Studios! Visit our Private Event Rental page for more information.

You're invited! Save the date for our upcoming WSS Holiday Townhall and Open House. Please join us to hear from the Board and staff about what's going on in the Water Street Community and celebrate the seasons with your WSS family!

❄️RSVP's are appreciated! We hope you can make it. Send in your RSVP here

❄️Make sure to save a spot on your calendar for our upcoming All in for Art fundraiser in February on Saturday, February 22nd. Purchase your tickets here

As always, we thank you for your ongoing support! ❤

In December we celebrate our Resident Artists & School of Art Instructors in a group exhibition. Come and see the works of the people who mean so much to us. The community gallery will host the Chicagoland 4x5 exhibition. The event is free to attend but donations are greatly appreciated and go to supporting our mission.

Exhibition runs Dec 13th-January 7th.

Water Street Writers is a curated reading series featuring local authors from the suburbs of Chicago. Events are held quarterly in the Dempsey Family gallery. Doors open at 5pm, event begins at 5:30pm. Suggested donations of $5. All proceeds go to the featured authors, your support is much appreciated!

Want to be a reader? Learn how here. Submissions are open to any genre and all kinds of performance.

Sponsored by the Republic of Letters,

In November we’ve added a gallery opening and will welcome the works of Michael Barnes to the Dempsey Family Gallery and Carly Palmer to the Kane County Magazine Gallery. This event is open to all and free to attend! Donations are greatly appreciated and go to support or mission.

Exhibition runs November 15th - Dec 8th.

Winterfest Art Market is a 3 day makers market put on in collaborations with Batavia MainStreet. Vendors are placed through out Water Street Studios and the Dock with pop-up vendors at our neighbors Hearth & Hammer and music offerings at Kiss the Sky, bringing the whole corner of Water and First Street alive! It is the perfect time to get your holiday shopping started and support local small businesses. See you there!

Friday, Nov 8th, 6-9pm

Saturday, Nov 9th, 10am-5pm

Sunday, Nov 10th, 10am-2pm

Winterfest Art Market is a 3 day makers market put on in collaborations with Batavia MainStreet. Vendors are placed through out Water Street Studios and the Dock with pop-up vendors at our neighbors Hearth & Hammer and music offerings at Kiss the Sky, bringing the whole corner of Water and First Street alive! It is the perfect time to get your holiday shopping started and support local small businesses. See you there!

Friday, Nov 8th, 6-9pm

Saturday, Nov 9th, 10am-5pm

Sunday, Nov 10th, 10am-2pm

Winterfest Art Market is a 3 day makers market put on in collaborations with Batavia MainStreet. Vendors are placed through out Water Street Studios and the Dock with pop-up vendors at our neighbors Hearth & Hammer and music offerings at Kiss the Sky, bringing the whole corner of Water and First Street alive! It is the perfect time to get your holiday shopping started and support local small businesses. See you there!

Friday, Nov 8th, 6-9pm

Saturday, Nov 9th, 10am-5pm

Sunday, Nov 10th, 10am-2pm

Stop by Water Street during the BatFest downtown business trick-or-treating. We’ll have a simple craft and candy for little ghosts, ghouls, and goblins.

Find the full event details here.

In October we welcome the works of Praxis to the Dempsey Family Gallery and Georgia Schwender to the Kane County Magazine Gallery. This event is open to all and free to attend! Donations are greatly appreciated and go to support or mission.

Exhibition runs October 11th-November 3rd.

*Rescheduled from Aug 11th

Water Street Writers is a curated reading series featuring local authors from the suburbs of Chicago. Events are held quarterly in the Dempsey Family gallery. Doors open at 5pm, event begins at 5:30pm. Suggested donations of $5. All proceeds go to the featured authors, your support is much appreciated!

Want to be a reader? Learn how here. Submissions are open to any genre and all kinds of performance.

Sponsored by the Republic of Letters,

In September we celebrate our 15th Anniversary with our Membership Exhibition in both the Dempsey Family Gallery and the Kane County Magazine Gallery. This event is open to all and free to attend!

In honor of our 15th anniversary, please help us raise funds to:

• Provide opportunities for emerging Artists to show in the Community Gallery

• Support our quality art education outreach programs to neighbors in need

• Fund the production of public art installations throughout Batavia

• Provide award-winning galleries open free to the public every weekend

DONATE HERE

Exhibition runs September 13th-October 6th.

In August we welcome Michael Coakes and William North to the Dempsey Family Gallery and Les Allen to the Kane County Magazine Gallery. This event is open to all and free to attend! Donations are greatly appreciated and go to support or mission.

Exhibition runs August 9th-September 8th.

In July we welcome Didier Nolet to the Dempsey Family Gallery and Anke Richert-Korioth to the Kane County Magazine Gallery. This event is open to all and free to attend! Donations are greatly appreciated and go to support or mission.

Exhibition runs July 12th-August 4th.

SECOND FRIDAYS IN THE ARTS DISTRICT

At Water Street Studios: Open 6-9pm

• Dempsey Family Gallery: Didler Nolet, “Searching for Light” 

• KC Magazine: Anke Korioth, “In the Echo of my Life”

• The Community Gallery (Upstairs): Summer Memories 

• Clay Maker’s Exhibit (South Classroom)

• Cash Bar (Select Beer, Wine and Cocktails)

At Kiss the Sky: Open until 8:30pm

• Music by Sydney Williams

• Free cupcakes courtesy of AddieCakes and Kiss the Sky

At Hearth & Hammer

• Dope Sandwich food truck

• Sunbeam Plants DIY air plant bar ($15 per guest)

Join us on Saturday, June 29th from 1:00-4:00pm at Water Street Studios for the “Artist Celebration” and opening of the “Summer Memories” exhibit in our Community Gallery! This gallery is located on the second floor nestled amongst the Resident Artist studios. ☀️

This exhibit is inspired by the playful and nostalgic energy of Summer. Take your own summer break and join in on the fun for this day! All ages are welcome. Our Community Gallery shows us that bringing together creativity and connection will inspire community!

This exhibit features 30+ artists, 50+ artworks, and several community collaborations! We will have rock painting with @bataviaparksfoundation, ice cream cone art from our outreach efforts with Mercy Housing, sun-themed tile art from the New Horizons Preschool, historic photos shared from @bataviadepot, a chance to learn more about the @bataviapublicart, a throwback special summer music playlist, an old-fashioned donation-based lemonade stand to support Water Street Studios, and SO much more!

New to Water Street Studios? Ask for a tour! We’d be happy to show you what we are all about. Make sure to take in the artwork in our downstairs galleries featuring Joel Sheesley And Beth Shadur, and check out the @waterstreetstudiosceramics!

Support our artists and support Water Street Studios - it’s a win-win! See you there! ☀️