ROCHELLE — Patrons and perpetrators of the arts in the Rochelle area now have stage lights in the form of an organization of like-minded folks who welcome one and all into not only that organization but in the wider realm of artistic expression, regardless of what that might be.  Art isn’t just about paints, brushes, and canvas anymore, but photography, yoga, performing arts and dance, and more.  
That’s the vision of Sara Hall and Teresa Petry of Rochelle, organizers, and enthusiasts. Petry runs her own business, The Artists’ Garden, that encompasses traditional and non-traditional painting but vintage collectibles and gardening as well.  It’s a little of this, a little of that, and something else “over here,” that flavors not only the inspirational soil of the Garden but of the newly formed, CAN (Community Action Network) Arts and Cultural Committee.  
As time goes by the group will be a presence at various artistic, community venues such as the Cypress House Farmers Market and upcoming holiday events. Petry said she received a call from Hall, who works in the marketing department at Kishwaukee College, to be a part of the community artistic effort.
The committee, which is operated under the direction of Rochelle CAN consists of Hall, Michele Pease, Nancy Bingham, Petry, Jeremy Lampkin, Jennie McGee, Bob Donovan, Christa McGrath, Guillermo Martinez and Juan Martinez, are excited about the vision and possibilities of the effort in the Rochelle area.  Guillermo and Juan Martinez, and Lampkin, an accomplished and prolific painter, have opened an art gallery in Rochelle at 308 Lincoln, The Faux Pas Gallery.  
“We’re trying this out to see how it works,” says Guillermo, continuing that the target date for opening was Dec. 1.  “We saw a need for this in the community, so here we are.”  
Brother, Juan, is also involved in the start-up of the gallery, and is employed at Flagg-Rochelle Public Library.

Bob Donovan, art instructor at Rochelle Middle School, is also a part of the new group, himself a painter.
“As an artist myself, I think we have a lot to offer the community. We want to provide different cultural experiences, share our talents such as they are, getting people onboard from all areas of life; all ages. Everyone has a gift that encompasses arts and culture,” Hall said. “All the elements that comprise a group like this have fallen into place to the point that we see it was truly meant to be. We’ve tossed around ideas for a couple years now and here we are.”
Creating an Arts and Cultural committee was originated through discussions with Pease, business development, and Nancy Bingham both with the City of Rochelle, and Hall, a freelance artist. The three recognized the positive impact of arts and culture on the greater Rochelle community. Hall has spearheaded this project which has accomplished much in the short four months since the project was launched. Hall had previous discussions with Petry, both had aspirations to bring this vision to the local community.
Phase one was to develop an Arts & Cultural Committee of key stakeholders with representation of the broadest range of arts and culture in the community. Community members stepped forward to form the Arts & Cultural committee: Hall, Bingham, Petry, Donovan, McGee, Lampkin, McGrath, Guillermo Martinez and Juan Martinez. The committee is operated under the direction of CAN  members Pease, Eva Chu, Mike Dale, Connie Avery and Pat Burch.
Phase two was to create a mission statement. The mission of the Arts & Cultural Committee is to promote, encourage, strengthen, and celebrate the arts and cultural events that contribute to the enrichment and diversity of the greater Rochelle community. The common denominator of the committee membership is that all members are promoting, encouraging and increasing support for the artistic and cultural assets, integrating arts and culture into community life.  That phase has been completed.
Join the effort and become a part of the Arts & Cultural Committee of greater Rochelle. Membership opportunities are welcome and open to the public. Several membership options are available as well as donor options. The committee relies on its members to support the operations by volunteering. Please contact a committee member to complete a membership form or request more information.
The committee is committed to building a solid foundation by developing branding that will convey the quality, strengths and value of the committee. They are implementing a social media presence, developing a website and increasing the awareness of the role the Committee plays in the community and memberships.
The committee will support, develop, propose and raise awareness of events and programs on art, music, dance, theater, film and all other cultural art forms taking place in the Greater Rochelle Community. Please reach out to a committee member with any recommendations you may wish to provide.