Nationally known sculptor and artist, Preston Jackson, a sculpture professor emeritus at the Art Institute of Chicago, has recently been named an artist-in-residence at Bradley University’s Inland Visual Studies Center.

The Inland Visual Studies Center is a program dedicated to studying the Midwestern influences on visual art, culture and music. As an artist-in-residence, Jackson mentors students, critiques their work and allows them to watch him create his art, which primarily focuses on sculpting, casting and painting. Students also visit his studios in Chicago and Peoria. He owns the Raven Gallery, home to the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, on Peoria’s riverfront.

Jackson received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University and his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Illinois. He has created pieces for the city of Chicago, the city of Peoria, Chicago’s ESPN Zone, Northwestern University, the Peoria Civic Center and the Champaign Public Library, among others. He has also been awarded the Rhodell Owens Award, given to a Peoria resident for outstanding achievements in community beautification and enhancement.

Several of his pieces are held in collections at Purdue University, the University of Illinois, Lakeview Museum, the Illinois State Museum in Springfield and the Harold Washington Public Library in Chicago.

“Having an artist of Jackson’s caliber in residence at Bradley benefits students and faculty,” says Dr. Paul Krainak, chairman of Bradley’s art department.
Jackson was appointed to the residency for two years.