Profile
Shirley Guay was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1943. She has travelled
the United States and now calls Amboy, Illinois her home.
Art Education:
Attended Harold Washington College (formerly Loop College).
Workshops:
The Art Workshop
Trees Studio
Old Town Triangle
Ray Vogue
Illinois Artists in Residence
Etching/Printmaking Workshop
Exhibiting Professionalism
Figure Drawing
Shirley has exhibited at the Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago (Black Creativity Show) 1990, 91, 96, & 2006.
Freeport Arts Museum, Freeport, IL., and the Loveland Museum, Dixon, IL.
She is in the Permanent collections of Kishwaukee College, Lowell H.S. Fine Arts Collection, and the Loveland Museum.
Her commissions include Harry Carey Restaurants, Dr. Michael Imler and other private collections.
Exhibitions
2024
Lubeznik Center for the Arts, Michigan City, IN.
(2 person show)
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
2023
Studio 231 Amboy, IL.
(2 person show)
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
The Next Picture Show Gallery, Dixon, IL.
2022
Freeport Art Museum, Freeport, IL.
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
Wilfred Knox Library, Franklin Grove, IL.
2021
Woodlawn Arts Academy, Sterling, IL.
Franklin Grove/ Wilfred Knox Library, IL.
2020
Woodlawn Arts Academy, Sterling, IL.
2019
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
Franklin Grove/ Wilfred Knox Library, IL.
Woodlawn Arts Academy, Sterling, IL.
2018
Amboy Arts & Antiques, Amboy, IL. (Solo)
Franklin Grove/ Wilfred Knox Library IL..
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL.
2017
Nasty Women Art ! Chicago, IL..
Franklin Grove/ Wilfred Knox Library, IL..
2016
Woodlawn Arts Academy Sterling, IL.
(2 person show)
Art on Armitage, Chicago, IL. (Solo)
Geneseo Art League, Geneseo, IL..
The Next Picture Show Gallery, Dixon, IL.
2015
Oak Park Art League, Oak Park, IL.
Franklin Grove/ Wilfred Knox Library, IL.
First National bank of Amboy, Dixon, IL. (Solo)
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
2014
Franklin Grove/ Wilfred Knox Library, IL.
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
2013
Rockford Art Museum/ Greenwich Village Fair
Rockford, IL.
Franklin Grove/ Wilfred Knox Library IL.
Grand Detour Arts Festival,
Grand Detour, IL.
Nuts About Art, Dixon, IL.
2012
Grand Detour Arts Festival, IL.
Franklin Grove/ Wilfred Knox Library, IL.
Buck Town Arts Center, Davenport, Iowa.
Cantigny Fine Arts Festival, Wheaton, IL.
2011
Grand Detour Arts Festival, IL.
Nuts About Art, Dixon, IL.
Franklin Grove/ Wilfred Knox Library, IL.
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
2010
Kishwaukee College Malta, IL. (Solo)
Woodlawn Arts Academy, Sterling, IL.
The Fields Project Oregon, IL.
2009
Woodlawn Arts Academy, Sterling, IL.
Grand Detour Arts Festival, IL.
The Fields Project Oregon, IL.
2008
Grand Detour Arts Festival, IL.
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
2007
The Next Picture Show Gallery, Dixon, IL.
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
2006
Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago, ” Black Creativity”
2005
Hotel Inter-Continental, Chicago, “Art Against Aids”
2004
The Open Door Gallery, Chicago, IL.
2001
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL.
“Women’s International” (Faith Ringgold juror)
Awards
2023
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.,
2022
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.,
Franklin Grove, IL. Wilfred Knox Library
"Best depiction of past & present award"
2019
Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
2020,2018, 2017, 2015
Franklin Grove, IL. Wilfred Knox Library
"Best abstract" (Consecutive years)
2016
Woodlawn Arts Academy 1ST Place Award & People’s Choice Award
Maple City Arts, Jean Sieben Memorial award, Geneseo, IL.
Women’s Club Award, Franklin Grove, IL.
2014
Phidian Multicultural Award, Dixon, IL.,
Dr. Martin G. Power Award, Franklin Grove, IL.
2013
Phidian Creativity Award, Dixon, IL.
Greenwich Village Purchase Award, Rockford, IL.
2012
Spangler Memorial Award, Franklin Grove, IL.
Phidian Museum Purchase Award, Dixon, IL.
Creativity Award, Dixon, IL.
2011
Grand Detour Memorial to Artist Colony, Grand Detour, IL.
Donna O’Brien Memorial Award, Best Abstract, Franklin Grove, IL.
Marion Anderson Award, Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
2010
Michael McMillion Award, Franklin Grove, IL.
Marion Anderson Award, Phidian Arts Club, Dixon, IL.
2009
Dos Equis XX, The Next Picture Show Gallery, Dixon, IL.
Creativity Award, Grand Detour Arts Festival, Grand Detour, IL.
Second place Award, The Next Picture Show Gallery, Dixon, IL.
2008
Best in Show, Grand Detour Arts Festival, Grand Detour, IL.
Creativity Award, Phidian Arts Club,
Dixon, IL.
2007
First Place Award, Phidian Arts Club,
Dixon, IL.
News Coverage and Publications
2018 Sauk valley News,
Amboy News
2016 Geneseo Republic,
Amboy News
2013 Dixon Telegraph,
Amboy News
2012 Dixon Telegraph,
Amboy News
2011 Sauk Valley News,
Amboy News
2010 Dixon Telegraph,
Amboy News
2008 Sauk Valley News,
Amboy News
2007 Sauk Valley News,
Amboy News
Shows Curated/Judged
Woodlawn Arts Academy, PFLAG Sauk Valley, Summer art exhibit
Near Northwest Arts Council, Women’s Sports Association, art auction
North Avenue School Age, art auction
John Handcock Center, art exhibition
University of Illinois Co-Operative Extension Service, Annual student exhibitions
Related professional activities
2018, 2017
Amboy High School, Creative Drawing workshop
2017
Woodlawn Arts Academy, Creative Drawing workshop
(adult)
2011
Rock Falls High School, Creative Drawing workshop
1981-2006
North Avenue School Age, Program Director, Art Instructor
1997,1998
Acme Artists Housing Co-op, Membership committee
1996,1997
Chicago Community Arts Assistant Program, Panel member
Photography publications
2002 thru 2007
North Avenue Day Nursery, Annual Report brochures, Chicago
1990
Norman Bethune by Ann Corbett, Garth Stevens Children’s books.
Exhibitions and Fairs 2003 & prior
2003, 2002
T.L.D. Design Gallery Westmont, IL.
2001
WMG “Women’s International” Chicago
2000
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago
"It’s my Doll and I’ll do what I want"
"Vintage Vantage"
"Members Show"
1998, 1997, 1996
Roberto Lopez Gallery, Flat Iron Bldg., Chicago
International Women’s Day
1997
Roberto Lopez Gallery, Flat Iron Bldg., Chicago
Cultural Diversity
1995, 1996
Eclectic Junction Gallery, Chicago, IL.
Something Fishy
1991- 1995
Folke Arte, Chicago, IL.
Around the Coyote, Chicago, IL.
Woman Made Gallery, Chicago, IL.
Midwest Women’s Music Festival,
Rockford, IL.
National Women’s Music Festival, Bloomington, IL.
1994
Near Northwest Arts Council Gallery, Chicago, IL.
1990,91,96,2006
Museum of Science & Industry, Black Creativity, Chicago, IL.
1990
Beacon Street Gallery, Hull House, Chicago
