Jacksonville Art Association Kicks Off 69th Beaux Arts Season

Annual fundraising gala celebrates 250 years of American independence with 'Liberty in Bloom' theme.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Art Association of Jacksonville is preparing for its 69th annual Beaux Arts Ball, set for April 25 at Illinois College's Rammelkamp Chapel. The event, with the theme 'Liberty in Bloom,' will honor the resilience and hope of America's Founding Fathers as the nation commemorates its 250th birthday. General co-chairs Robyn Maher, Erica Melcher, and Casey Zang are leading the planning, which will feature a coronation, champagne reception, entertainment, and more to raise funds for the association's David Strawn Art Gallery programming.

Why it matters

The Beaux Arts Ball is the Art Association of Jacksonville's primary fundraiser, with proceeds supporting the Strawn Art Gallery's exhibits, classes, and facility upkeep. As a long-running community event, the ball helps raise awareness and appreciation for art, both old and new, in the region.

The details

This year's Beaux Arts Ball will blend the 'fearless determination of Paul Revere' with the 'timeless elegance of Jackie Kennedy' to reflect the nation's 'courage and continually renewed hope.' The event will feature a coronation, champagne reception, entertainment by Spectrum Band, and hors d'oeuvres at Hamilton's. Patron tickets are $50 and include the reception, coronation, and dance, while general tickets are $10 for the reception and coronation.

  • The 69th Beaux Arts Ball will be held on April 25, 2026.
  • A champagne reception will precede the coronation from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on April 25.

The players

The Art Association of Jacksonville

A local arts organization that operates the David Strawn Art Gallery and provides art classes and programming for the community.

Robyn Maher, Erica Melcher, and Casey Zang

The general co-chairs leading the planning for the 69th Beaux Arts Ball.

Kyla Hurt

The designer responsible for creating the set, which will depict America's colors through bold yet elegant flowers.

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What they’re saying

“This year's ball holds special significance as our nation commemorates its 250th birthday. We would like to honor the resilience, grit and hope of our Founding Fathers when they created this country.”

— Casey Zang, General Co-Chair (myjournalcourier.com)

“The theme blends the fearless determination of Paul Revere — whose Midnight Ride called ordinary citizens to extraordinary action — with the timeless elegance of Jackie Kennedy, a symbol of dignity, culture and enduring American style. We hope to reflect a nation rooted in courage and continually renewed by hope.”

— Casey Zang, General Co-Chair (myjournalcourier.com)

What’s next

Patron and general tickets for the Beaux Arts Ball will be available online at strawnartgallery.org and at the door ahead of the coronation on April 25.

The takeaway

The Beaux Arts Ball is a long-standing community event that helps the Art Association of Jacksonville raise funds to support its mission of bringing awareness and appreciation for all forms of art through the Strawn Art Gallery's exhibits, classes, and facility upkeep. This year's 'Liberty in Bloom' theme celebrates the nation's 250th birthday and the enduring American spirit.