The Peoria area has a history filled with innovation from the first car built by Duryea to the current Natural Fiber Welding. What is perhaps less known are the past Peorians who led the way for equality, equity and understanding and in the process changed our community and the world.

Portraits of Peoria is a public art initiative designed to educate young and old about the Peorians in our history who built a better world for all and to honor their life’s work that continues to impact us today.

Public art is a collaborative effort. It requires building owners, donors, doers and artists to work together to show their community pride.

Big Picture Peoria is pleased to collaborate with Discover Peoria and ArtsPartners on Portraits of Peoria. We have begun by commemorating Romeo B. Garrett and Betty Friedan.

Romeo B. Garrett was the first Black to receive a masters degree from Bradley University and the first Black professor. As a young man, Garrett realized that history books had very little information about the accomplishments of Blacks and he set out to change that by publicizing information he collected and authoring two books. His life and his work focused on inclusion of all people, especially Blacks.

Friedan is best known as the author of the 1964 nonfiction bestseller “The Feminine Mystique.” The book was based on research Friedan conducted about “the problem that has no name,” giving voice to the millions of women who were dissatisfied with limited gender roles. Friedan helped found the National Organization of Women (NOW). Friedan changed the lives of women throughout the world leading the way toward equality. Later in life, Friedan turned her focus to older Americans. In “The Fountain of Age,” Friedan’s research dismissed the myths that older people were in a state of decline and promoted older adults using their talents and strengths to achieve new roles in society.

The Next Six

These first two portraits are just the beginning. We have gathered over 40 names of notable Peorians who can be featured on public art. A committee of citizens will decide the next six portraits to be displayed along with Garrett and Friedan on the Central Building in downtown Peoria. The artists who will create the portraits will be selected from a call for artists that concluded on June 25.

Putting the Public in Public Art

Thanks to a generous contribution by Sharon and John Amdall and the City’s TRF fund, we have been able to conceive and accomplish the first steps in this celebration of our city’s heroes, but our goal is to fill the city with portraits of notable Peorians who changed the world. To do that we need building owners, donors, doers, and artists to work together to demonstrate their love of community. As Kevin Bradford, Garrett portrait artist said, “Whether you are the creator or the viewer…[public art] is really a gift that keeps on giving.”

Public art is a visible sign of how much people care about their city and it draws attention to what is important. We believe art can change the world and it can certainly Change the Face of Peoria. Not only visibly change our city, but change how we move into the future.

Please reach out to us at bigpicturepeoria@gmail.com.