Heritage Corridor Destinations Partners with NCIARTworks to Highlight Local Artists at Starved Rock Country Welcome Center

UTICA, IL – Heritage Corridor Destinations is proud to announce a new partnership with NCIARTworks to showcase the work of local and regional artists at the Starved Rock Country Welcome Center (SRCWC), located at 248 W. Canal Street in Utica.

“The partnership we’ve established with NCIARTworks is a valuable addition to the Starved Rock Country Welcome Center,” said Robert Navarro, President and CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations. “By featuring regional artists alongside our existing Illinois Made products, we’re enhancing our efforts to promote and celebrate the culture, talent, and creativity of the region.”

The first featured artist in this collaboration is Douglas Dalrymple, a Chicago-based painter known for his expressive works in oil and watercolor. A variety of Dalrymple’s pieces are now on display and available for purchase at the Welcome Center through September 17, 2025. The Welcome Center and NCIARTworks are hosting an artist’s reception for this exhibit on September 5 from 4-6 p.m.. The exhibit at the SRCWC is a preview of the Dalrymple Solo Exhibit at NCIARTworks, which opens on September 12.

This initiative not only offers a platform for local artists but also enriches the visitor experience at one of the area’s key tourism hubs — blending art, culture, and community in the heart of Starved Rock Country.

About NCI Artworks 

The mission of NCIARTworks is to inspire growth among artists through artistic collaboration, educational outreach, and art space development. NCIARTworks promotes quality professionalism and diversity in the arts in a positive manner. It is also their vision to create venues which support public and private education, community events, economic development, and cultural tourism. Serving LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam Counties. Visit NCIARTworks.com for more information.

About Heritage Corridor Destinations

Heritage Corridor is a destination of six Illinois counties (Will, Grundy, Livingston, LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam) southwest of Chicago including The First Hundred Miles of Route 66, I&M Canal towns and Starved Rock Country. Experience heritage with a modern twist in dining, culture, vintage shopping and outdoor activities for visitors to explore whether it be a day trip or weekend visit. Cruise through the first hundred miles of Route 66 where a visitor can enjoy more than a taste of the Mother Road and midcentury Americana style. Stroll through the I&M Canal towns and experience the amenities of this cultural, natural, and economic resource with a combination of industrial grit and up-cycled architecture that leaves a visitor inspired about the past and future. Starved Rock Country, one of the Midwest’s original vacation destinations, invites visitors to unplug and experience the charm and beauty of the area waterfalls, canyons and the Illinois River valley. Visiting the Heritage Corridor is time well spent; the essence of Midwestern hospitality, outdoor rejuvenation, and vintage flair with a modern twist.

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