Wilmington, IL – Photographer and storyteller David J. Schwartz will premiere his new Route 66 exhibition, Roadwork Ahead: The Exhibition – A Future for the Mother Road, at Art On 66 Gallery in Wilmington, Illinois. The show opens with a public reception on Sunday, October 12, from 11 AM to 3 PM, and will remain on view through November 21, 2025.
The exhibition is presented in tandem with Schwartz’s conference talk, Roadwork Ahead: A Future for the Mother Road, at the Miles of Possibility Conference in Joliet, Illinois, on Saturday, October 11, at 9:15 AM. Together, the talk and exhibition explore Route 66 as it approaches its Centennial in 2026, highlighting the people, places, and renewed energy shaping its next century.
“For over 20 years, I have been traveling Route 66 and have made more than 40 trips out of Cleveland, Ohio,” says Schwartz. “It has become my passion and pride to document the Mother Road and preserve it for future generations. Over these decades, I have seen the loss of many longtime businesses, but I’ve also witnessed the resilience of those who remain, the families carrying forward traditions, and the newcomers bringing fresh ideas. This collection of imagery honors the guardians, the torchbearers, and the visionaries who ensure the spirit of Route 66 remains alive and thriving.”
The exhibition will feature fine-art photographs of neon signs, classic motels, roadside businesses, Route 66 giants, and the people whose dedication sustains the road.
Following its premiere in Illinois, the exhibition continues in Lakewood, Ohio, December 4–7, 2025, with a special Holiday Open Studio at David Schwartz Photography.
Exhibition Details
World Premiere at Art On 66 Gallery
208 North Water Street | Wilmington, IL
October 12 – November 21, 2025
Opening Reception: Sunday, October 12 | 11 AM – 3 PM
Gallery Hours: Fridays & Saturdays, 11 AM – 4 PM, and by appointment
arton66.com | (815) 476-2320
Holiday Open Studio at David Schwartz Photography
17010 Madison Avenue | Lakewood, OH
December 4 | 5:30–8:30 PM
December 5 | 1–8 PM
December 6 | 1–8 PM
December 7 | 1–5 PM
david@picsonroute66.com | (216) 269-2625
About the Artist
David J. Schwartz is a Lakewood, Ohio–based photographer and storyteller who has documented Route 66 for over two decades, making more than 40 journeys along the road. He is the Director of Photography and Lead Editorial Photographer for ROUTE Magazine and his work has been featured in editorial stories, exhibitions, and collections nationwide. His photographs capture the spirit, history, and evolving culture of America’s most iconic highway.
Text & Photo Credit: Photography @ David J. Schwartz / picsonroute66.com
