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QUINCY, ILL. -- The Biennial Quad-State Exhibition will open on Friday, June 5 from 7-9 p.m. with a "Meet the Artists" opening reception.

An awards ceremony is planned for 7:30 p.m.

Cash awards include Best of Show Award, valued at $1,000, and $2,400 in additional prizes.

The Art Center invites members of the public to select a "People's Choice Award" at the opening reception.

The judge for the exhibition this year was Mr. Jim Schmidt, owner and CEO of Schmidt Contemporary Art, St. Louis, Mo.

Initially he reviewed 274 digital entries submitted by 96 artists from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri and selected 90 pieces by 48 artists.

The judge then traveled to Quincy to select the award-winning works.

The exhibit comprised of photographs, paintings, sculptural works, mixed media and fine art prints, will fill the Art Center's galleries.

Regional artists included in this exhibit are: Gregg Boyer, Jeffrey M. Bruce, Rebecca Butler, Jan Clough, Don Crouch, Jack Crouch, Joan Green, Robert Kennon, Bruce Morton, Kathleen C. Nassery, John Nelson, Carol Nichols, Cherie Sampson, John Schneider, Kay Sutherland, Lisa Wigoda, Peggy Wyman and Bill Yates.

The exhibit will continue during regular gallery hours beginning on Saturday, June 6 and will run through Friday, July 10, 2009.

Generous support for the exhibition has been provided by Cay Barnum, Great River Aviation LLC, Bill and Melissa Holden, Lela Lindsay, Mary C. Miller, M.D., P.C., Jean Reddington, Dennis R. Williams, the Art Center's members and the Illinois Arts Council, an agency of the State.

The exhibition and opening reception are open to members of the public.

There is no charge for Quincy Art Center members to enjoy the opening reception or view the exhibit.

There is a $3.00 admission charge for adults and $1.00 for seniors, students and children.

The Quincy Art Center is located at 1515 Jersey Street.

Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, noon - 4:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 1-4 p.m.

For additional information, call (217) 223-5900 or visit the Art Center's website at www.quincyartcenter.org.