Enjoy the Holiday Season with the CAC

Whisper & Shout

Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, December 21, 2023 ~ 8:00-10:00pm

Every 1st & 3rd Thursday

BUY TICKETS in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-nonmembers, $5-members, $3-poets + fees (until 6pm day of event). Tickets at the door: $12-nonmembers, $9-members, $5-poets. Tickets at door are sold only if max capacity is not reached.

Featured Poet: Tracy ‘T-Spirit’ Stanton

Tracy ‘T-Spirit’ Stanton is a highly featured International Spoken Word Artist, host, event producer, inspirational speaker, author, certified well-being coach, workshop facilitator and brand strategist. She is also the owner of Addiction to Ambition Coaching and Consulting and the Movement Building & Storytelling Director at The Freedom Community Center. She been featured on local and national platforms such as St. Louis American, Riverfront Times, STLMAG, St. Louis Post Dispatch and on the local St. Louis television station KSDK. She has also been acknowledged in the Washington Post, New York Times, ABC News, Riverfront Times, St. Louis American, KSDK, Now This is News, St. Louis Public Radio, and St. Louis Post-Dispatch for her advocacy, activism, community service and spoken word.

Live at the Five Spot

Joe Metzka & Friends (blues, vintage soul)

Friday, December 22, 2023 ~ 6:30-8:30pm 

BUY TICKETS in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-members, $12-nonmembers + fees

(until 5:00pm the day of event) Tickets at the door*: $12-Members, $16-nonmembers.

Joe Metzka has explored just about every genre of music and has settled in on the blues. His set list may still wander about into Jazz or R&B, but it’s all colored in the deep blue of blues. Joe leads the way down the road to nostalgia like no one else can, laid back and easy, his raspy voice a counter to the crisp licks from his guitar. That is why making a Christmas album is right up his alley. His Christmas album and more will be on sale. Joining Joe is Rusty Hall on keys, Tim Brickner on bass and Courtez Banks on drums.

New Year's Eve Salsa at CAC

Sunday, December 31, 2023

Bring in the New Year with us! with complementary party favors and a champagne toast.

Introductory Dance Lesson: 8:30-9:30 pm

Learn the basics of several Latin Dances by Eduardo & Beverly Caballero

Open Dancing: 9:30-1:00 - music by of Eduardo Caballero - Mostly Salsa music is played, but also Cha Cha, Bachata, Merengue, Tango, Reggaeton, R&B, Cumbia and Latin styled pop and R&B.

ADMISSION AT THE DOOR ONLY: $12.00 nonmembers, $8.00 CAC members

Like all CAC events, you may bring your own food and drinks. Bring cash to purchase water and soda. (The Rhythm Kitchen will not be open)

The Contemporary Art Center Will Be Closed -

December 24 - December 30 for the Christmas Holiday.

We wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Artist Membership Exhibit

December 11, 2023 - January 20, 2024

Contemporary Art Center Artist Members are exhibiting on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the Time Gallery at Morton Community Bank in East Peoria, 201 Clock Tower Drive, East Peoria, December 11, 2023 - January 20, 2024. Regular viewing hours are Monday – Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm and Saturday 8:00am-noon. There is no charge to view the exhibit. Public Closing Reception: Saturday, January 20, 10-11:00am

The award judge for this exhibit was Christopher M. Gauthiér. He chose 5 works to award ribbons and monetary prizes entered by 33 participating artists. Each artist chose one piece to exhibit.

Best of Show ($250 & ribbon): Billie Howd, Keep the Blues, acrylic on canvas, $350

1st Place ($150 & ribbon): John Boyla, Mo Money, Mo Problem, mixed media, $695

2nd Place ($100 & ribbon): Jessica Peterson, What I See, digital drawing, $250

3rd Place ($50 & ribbon): Tanya Bayer, The Guardian, mixed media on wood, $800

Honorable Mention (ribbon): William Butler, Jessica in a Yellow Dress, pastel, charcoal on paper, $200

Link to photos

About the Judge: Christopher M. Gauthiér, an Associate Professor of Photography at Illinois Central College in Peoria, received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Ohio University in Photography in 2003 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Cinema and Photography from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1997. 

Seasoned: Anita & John Tuccillo

Preston Jackson Gallery

 Jan 5 – Feb 16 2024

Each spouse brings their expertise to the process: Anita, her mastery of illusion with paint and John, his physical craft with paper-casting. The best of their ideas emerge in hybrid works that offer a unique view of the urban landscape. The majority of their careers in art education have been spent at Illinois Central College.

Qingjun Huang: Illinois Family Stuff

Gallery 3R

 Jan 5 – Feb 16 2024

When Chinese artists Qingjun Huang and Liu Yang wished to extend the “Family Stuff” series to local subjects, Contemporary Art Center assisted in making connections. Many of the photos in this exhibit are a result of that effort. The 1st subject was Whitney Jensen. Since then, 11 families have posed for his camera.

Combined Art Reception

Saturday, January 20, 6:30-8:30pm

Preston Jackson Gallery

featuring music by Barry Cloyd, complimentary food & drinks ? free admission, donation requested. Meet the exhibiting artists and view their artwork in three galleries.

Education

Tango Practica Peoria - weekly tango practice and lesson

Taking a hiatus and will resume on Sunday, January 21, 2024

Upcoming Events

Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, January 4, 2024 ~ 8:00-10:00pm

Every 1st & 3rd Thursday

BUY TICKETS in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-nonmembers, $5-members, $3-poets + fees (until 6pm day of event). Tickets at the door: $12-nonmembers, $9-members, $5-poets. Tickets at door are sold only if max capacity is not reached.

1st Friday Studio Tour

Friday, January 5, 2024 ~ 5:00-9:00pm ~ free event

Visit the Contemporary Art Center Resident Artist Studios where artists create, display and sell their work. Enjoy the unique & creative talents of local artists. While here, enjoy art exhibits in 3 galleries. The public is invited to this open house style events.

Live at the Five Spot: NikBeats (British Invasion)

Friday, January 12, 2024 ~ 6:30-8:30pm 

BUY TICKETS in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-members, $12-nonmembers + fees

(until 5:00pm the day of event) Tickets at the door*: $12-Members, $16-nonmembers.

Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, January 18, 2024 ~ 8:00-10:00pm

Every 1st & 3rd Thursday

BUY TICKETS in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-nonmembers, $5-members, $3-poets + fees (until 6pm day of event). Tickets at the door: $12-nonmembers, $9-members, $5-poets. Tickets at door are sold only if max capacity is not reached.

Salsa at CAC

Friday, January 19, 2023 - Every 3rd Friday

Introductory Dance Lesson: 8:30-9:30 pm

Learn the basics of several Latin Dances by Eduardo & Beverly Caballero

Open Dancing: 9:30-midnight - music by of Eduardo Caballero

ADMISSION AT THE DOOR ONLY: $8.00 nonmembers, $5.00 CAC members

Live at the Five Spot: Hannah Rose & the Sweet Nothings (vintage & New Orleans jazz)

Friday, January 26, 2024 ~ 6:30-8:30pm 

BUY TICKETS in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-members, $12-nonmembers + fees

(until 5:00pm the day of event) Tickets at the door*: $12-Members, $16-nonmembers. 

Live at the Five Spot: State of Mind (R&B, Motown)

Friday, February 9, 2024 ~ 6:30-8:30pm 

BUY TICKETS in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-members, $12-nonmembers + fees

(until 5:00pm the day of event) Tickets at the door*: $12-Members, $16-nonmembers. 

Sponsor a Band

Please consider sponsoring your favorite band. It is possible that a band may not be booked unless they are sponsored. Listed below are bands that need your full or partial sponsorship to make the event successful.

Contact William Butler, Executive Director, at 309-674-6822 to discuss sponsorship.

NikBeats-Local - Hannah Rose & The Sweet Nothings-Bloomington.