Art Association invites families to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with art in the yard
Families spent Saturday morning making patriotic art in Jacksonville’s Sculpture Garden, where Art in the Yard tied a $5 kids’ event to America 250.
The Art Association of Jacksonville gave families a hands-on way to mark America’s 250th birthday, turning The David Strawn Art Gallery into an outdoor art stop for children and parents. Art in the Yard ran Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon in and around the Sculpture Garden, with projects inspired by famous American landmarks and legendary artists.
The event was priced at $5 per participant and was billed as a fundraiser for the Art Association of Jacksonville. Organizers described it as a children’s art event with all materials provided, a practical detail that made it easy for families to show up and take part without having to bring supplies or plan ahead. The format also fit the setting: outdoors, active, and designed for making rather than just looking.
That approach tied directly to the larger America 250 observance. Illinois America 250 is a statewide effort leading up to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026, and state partners have encouraged communities to host programs, exhibits, educational tours and special events as part of the commemoration. Art in the Yard translated that civic milestone into a local experience in Jacksonville, giving Morgan County families a chance to connect a national anniversary with a neighborhood outing.
The gallery itself carries the kind of history that gives the event extra weight. The Art Association of Jacksonville was formed in 1873 to study and appreciate fine arts. Dr. David Strawn deeded his home to the association on Feb. 19, 1915, for use as an art gallery, and The David Strawn Art Gallery says it has held continuous art exhibits from 1915 to the present. Its permanent collections include early Mississippi Native American pottery and the Miriam Cowgur Allen doll collection.
Art in the Yard also reflected a pattern the gallery has built before: family projects with a playful edge. Past versions have included water gun painting, superhero masks, Gak!, tambourines and painting with Hot Wheel cars and trucks. That mix of novelty and accessibility has helped make the event a recognizable part of Jacksonville’s summer calendar, while reinforcing the gallery’s role as a community space where children can make art, not just view it.
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