Art in Peoria is looking up, figuratively and literally. The past few years have seen an increasing amount of public art after decades of art drought. Thankfully Preston Jackson’s islands of aesthetics around the city brought new life to our collections of Ronald Bladen, Otto Triebel and Frederick Ernst Triebel, the 20th century artists whose works have graced our city over the past 100 years. The arrival of the Peoria Riverfront Museum sculptures, privately donated sculptures like “Treble Clef” in front of WTVP, high profile sculpture of Richard Pryor by Preston Jackson, and now most recently 15 pieces of Sculpture Walk Peoria have dramatically increased the feeling of vibrancy for Peoria.
Public 2D art is gaining more exposure as well. Art enthusiasts Andrew Muir, Jon and Angie Walker, Jessica Ball and Jessica McGee organized and funded paint on buildings to revitalize Main Street. LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) hired professional artists Keith Cotton, Rashad Reed and Brenda Gentry to create murals in both the East Bluff and Southside Peoria. ArtsPartners of Central Illinois partnered with Adams Outdoor advertising to place art on five billboards. Meanwhile, it was a giant leap for the expression of public 2D art when Ryan Spain succeeded in getting the city ordinance changed to favor technology advancements allowing movable murals in the Warehouse District.
Peoria appears to be the leader in putting movable art on buildings. The technology to print images on vinyl canvas has been around for years in the advertising billboard business. Business owner Chuck Gabbert was one of the first to raise his hand to put art on his building. In fact he put five 10-foot by 20-foot frames on his building at 1323 SW Adams and is creating an Art Park with sculpture along with a paintable MG “canvas.” Chuck’s lead was soon followed by Kip Strasma at The Maxam Building with placement of a 14-foot by 48-foot light painting by the Leunigs. Kert Huber commissioned oil painter Carrie Pearce to paint an image that will be placed on the Larkin Building. These pieces will soon be joined by two more frames sponsored by the City of Peoria.
SUPPLIED PHOTO ILLUSTRATION
The City of Peoria will announce two new murals this May. Artists from throughout the area responded to a call for entries showing water and the historic importance of the First District.
Stacy Peterson, communications specialist at the City of Peoria, explains, “Whether it’s working with groups like ArtsPartners on Sculpture Walk Peoria or collaborating with agencies like LISC of Greater Peoria to support the work of local artists, an investment in art leads to an enrichment of our community.” Terence Acquah, neighborhood enhancement coordinator at the City of Peoria, goes on to point out, “I see this mural program as an exciting opportunity for non-traditional artists to participate in beautifying the city.”
Because the movable mural technology is just large-scale inkjet printing, it is accessible to everybody. Practicing artists can work outside limitations, emerging artists can dream bigger and soon-to-be artists have something to strive for. Getting 2D art works in the public eye no longer requires working for weeks on a scaffold 20 or more feet in the air while wearing safety gear. Instead middle school students with good instruction and proper encouragement could easily express themselves in a very big way never before possible.
Ultimately putting art on buildings is a great way to enhance the built environment. When dozens of murals can be swapped out annually during a weekend of installation celebrations augmented by music performances and artist displays, openings and exhibitions, it becomes something entirely different. Big Picture Festival.