Moving from Dull to Dynamic
Peoria has an image problem. For over a hundred years we have suffered the vaudevillian view of Peoria as the paramount example of the dull, banal and provincial. And to make matters worse, Peorians embraced that attitude for most of the last century. Sure, at times it helped our local economy when companies such as Betty Crocker used Peoria as a test market or some big name musicians launched a concert tour by using us as guinea pigs.
Perhaps the view of Peoria as provincial is heavy handed, but the fact remains that to most of the world Peoria’s brand is not seen as progressive, innovative or creative. They see us a gray, middle-of-the-road, average place that has not kept pace with the times.
Unfortunately that is also how a good many people see the city as well. It isn’t the reality, but when you look around Peoria for visible signs of creativity and community expression, it has been hard to find. Until now.
With recent investments in infrastructure and facilities there is an emerging trend for Peorians to recognize and support the blossoming of our arts community. There is a movement toward public art that is new for us. We are now beginning to see more and more examples of visual arts all around Peoria.
What is most exciting about the current trend in public art is its “grassroots” growth. This is not something that is coming from the top down. It’s people like builder Chuck Gabbert who have taken it upon themselves to embrace public art as a way to spark the collective imagination of our community.
“We are at the front end of the warehouse district, so when people come down here they will see things are happening in this area,” Gabbert said about his Art Park at 1323 SW Adams.
Kip Strasma is another community leader driving the appreciation of public art in Peoria. Strasma said, “The MAXAM building is located in the center of a renaissance area for the arts in downtown Peoria, and its current owner-occupants–Architectural Research and Design, CSE Software, MAXAM Quarters Condominiums, Hall, Rustom, Fritz, and Green Attorneys at Law, and The Waterhouse Event Venue–want to support the arts for all who live and visit the area.”
“We feel it is our responsibility to step forth and be a charter supporter for the first mural of this kind on display in the art corridor of Washington Street,” Strasma said.
To that end, on June 29 the MAXAM folks unveiled “Look to the Stars,” a light painting photograph selected to represent humanity’s desire for exploration and innovation.
The mural is part of the emerging trend of street gallery art visible at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, Sculpture Walk Peoria, “Portal” sculpture by Bruce White, “Treble Clef” by Charles Strain, and “Richard Pryor: More than Just a Comedian” by Preston Jackson. This art corridor is also the home of the Peoria Art Guild, Peoria Symphony Orchestra and Warehouse District Gateway.
All this public art gives the feeling of strong communities, friendly neighborhoods and city pride. Together we are all changing the mindset to reflect what we really are. A city that is vibrant, thriving, and bursting with creativity.
If you would like to get involved in art murals, please leave a comment for us via the online version of Community Word at www.thecommunityword.com.
“Look to the Stars” by Doug and Eileen Leunig is a 48-foot art mural on the southwest side of the MAXAM Building, 316 SW Washington. “Look to the Stars” is a light painting photograph that depicts the Northmoor Observatory’s nine-inch refractor telescope. The observatory is free and open to the public Saturday evenings from May through October.