A River Runs Through It

Mooneyham Art Presents: A River Runs Through It

Two Award-Winning Artists Inspired by the Riverbend. As part of their grand prize for winning the respective contests below, these two artists will get to keep 100% of ALL THEIR SALES!!!!

"Often when we think of the riverbend, we think of winding roads, cruising along the bluffs with our favorite jams on the radio, the windows down, and that breeze coming off the river, blowing through our hair. I was recently reminded that there are two sides to the riverbend. What are we but one people in an area that simply has a river that runs through it?" – Charles Mooneyham

The Mississippi and Missouri Rivers have long been woven into the story of the Riverbend. They have shaped the region's communities, history, landscape, and identity while inspiring generations of artists to interpret the Riverbend through paint, photography, and other creative expression.

This September, Mooneyham Art brings together Dawn Isbell and Sarah Lorentz, whose work earned first-place recognition in two separate regional competitions celebrating the Riverbend. Alongside the award-winning pieces, River Runs Through It showcases a broader collection of paintings and photographs that showcases the depth of each artist's creative practice.

 

ABOUT THE EXHIBITIONS

The River's Reach: A Riverbend Photo Exhibition

The River's Reach was an exhibition celebrating the landscape, culture, industry, spirit, and people influenced by the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Originally displayed at Jacoby Arts Center, the exhibition invited photographers to document the many ways the rivers shape life throughout the region.

Mississippi Riverscapes: The 2026 Rivers Project Plein Air Competition

Mississippi Riverscapes invited artists to paint and draw on location at Rivers Project recreation areas, encouraging direct observation and a personal connection with the landscape. Originally displayed at the National Great Rivers Museum, the exhibition highlighted artwork created in response to the unique environments found throughout the Rivers Project.

 

FEATURED ARTISTS

DAWN ISBELL

Winner, The River's Reach: A Riverbend Photo Exhibition

Contemporary photographer Dawn Isbell is drawn to documenting the depth of everyday life through ordinary observations. Some of her favorite images begin with familiar objects viewed from a different perspective, revealing beauty and meaning in places that might otherwise go unnoticed.

A U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Isbell has rarely been without a camera. Her passion for photography began when her grandfather taught her how to use a film camera and a handheld light meter. She came of age in an era when photographers waited for film to be developed before discovering the images they had captured, an experience that continues to shape her appreciation for the craft. Today, she embraces the creative possibilities of digital photography while working across a wide range of subjects, including fine art, still life, events, street photography, food, and sports. Whether exploring new places, unfamiliar landscapes, or different ways of life, Isbell is continually inspired by the world around her and the stories waiting to be discovered through the lens.

Her personal philosophy is simple: "Living a Great Story!"

 

SARAH LORENTZ

Winner, Mississippi Riverscapes: The 2026 Rivers Project Plein Air Competition

Contemporary painter Sarah Lorentz creates energetic, striking compositions full of bold brushwork and electric color while tapping into the nostalgia of her 1990s childhood. Though the subject matter of her work ranges from evocative figurative commentaries to pastoral plein air landscapes, the physicality of material and deliberate remnants of the process reveal the same confident hand behind the brush.

Sarah's academic training has been traditional with apprenticeships under successful artists and extended studies abroad in Europe. She earned her BA with a focus in studio painting from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and now has an active presence in the St. Louis art scene, where she lives and works, regularly exhibiting nationally and internationally.

 

PARTNERS IN ART AND CONSERVATION

Both exhibitions were made possible through a collaborative partnership between:

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

• Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau

• Jacoby Arts Center

• Mooneyham Art

The River's Reach: A Riverbend Photo Exhibition was juried by Stephen Scordias, Co-Curator of Mooneyham Art, and Chrissie Chapman, member of the Jacoby Arts Center Board of Directors.

Mississippi Riverscapes: The 2026 Rivers Project Plein Air Competition was juried by Charles Mooneyham, owner of Mooneyham Art, and Jenna Muscarella Godair, member of the Jacoby Arts Center Board of Directors.

These partnerships continue to demonstrate the power of art to foster stewardship, celebrate place, and strengthen connections between artists and the communities they serve.

 

ABOUT MOONEYHAM ART

Mooneyham Art LLC is a studio gallery and creative hub located in Historic Downtown Alton. Founded by artist and curator Charles Mooneyham, the gallery is dedicated to uplifting regional artists, fostering community connection, and making art accessible to everyone.

Under the leadership of Charles Mooneyham, Stephen Scordias, and Mindy Nickel, Mooneyham Art continues to present exhibitions, workshops, and public programming that support artists while strengthening the cultural life of the Riverbend.

 

RESIDENT ARTISTS

In addition to the featured exhibition, guests will have the opportunity to view works by a diverse group of regional, national, and international artists represented throughout the gallery.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT

Guests will enjoy complimentary desserts and refreshments while viewing original artwork and listening to live music provided by Psychedelic Symphony.

As always, admission is FREE and open to the public. Join us as we celebrate two remarkable artists, the Riverbend that inspired their work, and the partnerships that continue to strengthen the arts throughout our region.