Laura Gomel (left) is fairly new to the Rockford area, having moved from Chicago in 2010. Part of the Chicago art scene for over 20 years, Laura made her Rockford debut in 2016 at Fall Art Scene. Working primarily in acrylic paint but branching out into whatever strikes her fancy, Laura is a versatile, emotive, comedic and covertly political artist who doesn’t shy away from color, taboo, or intelligent thought. 

Laura is co-director of 317 Art Collective, director of SmARTy Pants Rockford Kid’s Art Studio, founding member of Fringe Art Syndicate and co-founder of Ubiquitous AF. For more information visit artbylauragomel.com.

Jenny Mathews (Right) is a self taught visual artist from Rockford, IL, specializing in tiny watercolor illustrations and big acrylic murals. From science text books to hype basketball courts, her prolific style allows her to obsess and work on both extensive series of small things and large scale singular pieces. Her large work has been on display at the Rockford Art Museum and can currently be seen at the Discovery Center of Rockford and the Freeport Public Library. Her small illustrations are published in many children's books both fiction and non-fiction.

Jenny is the owner of Rockford Illustrating, Art Director for Zombie Logic Press, is on the Rockford Art Museum Exhibition/collection committee, is chairman of the Rockford Area Arts Council “Beattie Is” committee, a teacher at RAAC's Art's place program, a co-director of the 317 Art Collective, a member of the 317 Mural team, an active member of the Rockford Art Attack Movement, Fringe Art Syndicate and Ubiquitous AF. She volunteers at Roosevelt High School Art Department, Lifescape Community Services, Rockford Art Museum and Rockford Area Art's Council. You find out more about Jenny at JennyMMathews.com.

317 Art Collective

317 Art Collective, housed in a 103 year illustration building in downtown Rockford, has nine resident artists and 26 artists at large. 317 Art Collective creates and showcases remarkably innovative, intriguing, and passionate art pushing the region to the forefront of the creative landscape with an ever changing menagerie of exhibits. You can get more information at 317ArtCollective.com.