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The Arts!

Arts community will be busy this summer

When the leadership of the Contemporary Art Center and the Peoria Art Guild set up shop along the Riverfront 15-plus years ago, they had the vision of developing the area into an arts community.

It might not have happened as quickly as they wanted, but today those visionaries can finally congratulate each other. When the Peoria Riverfront Museum opens in October, the goal of having all three major art organizations within a block of each other will be complete.

But art aficionados won't have to wait until then to get a taste of what is available locally. This summer the riverfront will be abuzz with art activity.

CONTEMPORARY ART CENTER:
Renowned artist/musician Preston Jackson along with a small group of investors purchased and renovated three turn-of-the-century warehouse buildings on the relatively undeveloped riverfront in 1994. Today, the Contemporary Art Center is the destination for art exhibits, live musical performances and educational classes and programs.

Now through June 29, the center will feature local digital artists Doug and Eileen Leunig and their photo exhibit, Unbottled – Intimate Portraits of Water. Their photographs, or light paintings, combine traditional (the photography) and computer-based techniques to create a final piece of art. All the imagery is made of water with little or no recognition as such. Installation and sculpture artist Herb Eaton will also have an exhibition. Opening exhibition is May 5, 6 to 9 p.m., at CAC.

305 Water Street, Peoria, IL 61602
11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday
(309) 674-6822 | www.peoriacac.org

FIRST FRIDAYS STUDIO TOURS:
In February 2011, eight artists with the passion to promote local artists and art organizations formed the Central Illinois Artists Organization (CIAO). Within a year, the band of artist members grew to more than 40 and began the First Fridays Studio Tour.

This extremely successful art event is from 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of the month, April through November.

For information and a studio location map, go to www.ciaopeoria.com.

PEORIA ART GUILD:
With 134 years under its belt, the Peoria Art Guild is recognized as one of the oldest art organizations in the country. This organization is dedicated to bringing visual arts to the Peoria area.

Upcoming events include a special student exhibition that will showcase art created by 70 students from Glen Oak Primary School's P.R.E.M.I.E.R. arts program, and a second exhibit will feature work by the entire student body from St. Philomena Catholic School. The exhibit is open to the public and can be viewed through May 18 at the Guild during business hours.

On June 12 through July 31, the highly anticipated Peoria Art Guild Member Artists Show will give members of the Guild the opportunity to display their work. The party-like atmosphere encourages artists and art lovers to mingle and discuss the wide variety of art on display.

Also exhibiting will be artist David Linneweh, whose paintings are based on suburban housing and architecture. The artist reception for both of these exhibits will be June 16, 6 to 8 p.m. at the Peoria Art Guild. All exhibits are free of charge and open to the public.

203 Harrison Street, Peoria, IL 61602
9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday - Friday
(309) 637-2787 | www.peoriaartguild.org

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