Giving Tuesday starts TODAY!

Giving Tuesday is a day of Global Giving to help raise awareness of charitable causes and encourage donors’ generosity.

Caterpillar Supports Giving Tuesday with 2:1 Match

The Caterpillar Foundation will provide a limited-time 2:1 match through our Matching Gifts Program for global employee and U.S. retiree gifts made starting November 27 through December 1, 2023. Give $100 and CAC could receive $300, if it is matched. The best chance of doubling your gift is to give it as early as possible on November 27 ONLINE via Donation Page - Contemporary Art Center of Peoria (peoriacac.org), or MAIL A CHECK dated November 27 then immediately log in to The Caterpillar Foundation and submit the gift. As this 2:1 match is on a first-come first-serve basis, it will reach the $2 Million cap quickly! Before that day, review program details & to submit your match request at Caterpillar | Giving Tuesday 2:1 Match

Facebook Supports Giving Tuesday

Join us in reaching our goal of $7,000 for the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. November 28 is Giving Tuesday

In early October 2022, the passenger elevator that our building shares with 311 Water stopped working. The price has soared to over $340,000. The Contemporary Art Center has been working at coming up with ¼ of the amount.

If you have benefited from the cultural influence of a music concert, dances, fine art, poetry open mic, dance and art classes or a private event like a wedding reception, then don’t miss the opportunity to have your donation doubled or augmented! You are also welcome to give prior to or after November 28. #GivingTuesday #GiveCACPeoria

1st Friday Studio Tour

Friday, December 1, 2023 ~ 5:00-9:00pm ~ free event

Featuring: The Small Wonder Gift Shop in Gallery 3R and Justin Henry Miller: Regards From The Black Hole

Visit the Artist Studios where many artists create, display and sell their work. While here, view art exhibitions in three galleries. The public is invited to this open house style events.

On the 3rd floor, see the studios of Tanya Bayer, Kaye Berry, William Butler, Pamela Connell, Elizabeth Davis, Duffy Armstrong Farrell, Julie K.W. Harkless, Larry Hendricks, Bennett Johnson, Darlene Jones, Richard Kirchgessner, Donald Mason, Kagan Masters, Ilva McBrayer and Joy Johannes Miller. In the Side View Gallery on the 2nd floor, see the work of Preston Jackson and Natalie Jackson.

Call To Artists

December 11, 2023 - January 20, 2024

Group Exhibition at Time Gallery at Morton Community Bank, East Peoria,

201 Clock Tower Drive, East Peoria, Illinois

Registration Deadline: December 1, 2023

Contemporary Art Center Artist Members have an opportunity to participate in a group exhibition at Time Gallery at Morton Community Bank in East Peoria, 201 Clock Tower Drive, East Peoria, December 11, 2023 - January 20, 2024. Each artist may display one original work of art. A qualified judge will select ribbons and monetary prizes for 5 works entered. Obtain an Artist Membership - Read the Prospectus for more details.

A Small Wonder Gift Shop - 10th Annual

October 27 – December 16, 2023 - Gallery 3R

A small wonder means small work from local artists and that means work priced for holiday gifts! Gallery 3R is turned into a gift shop for small works of art. Just like a gift shop, buyers may take home the item at the time of purchase. Shop early for the art lover in your life. Glass, ceramics, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, original prints and much more will be on display.

Link to Small Wonder Gift Shop Photo Album

Justin Henry Miller: Regards From The Black Hole

October 28 – December 16, 2023 - Preston Jackson Gallery

Science-fiction and controversial trends in science, anatomical illustration and cartoons, collide in Justin Henry Miller’s whimsical fantasies of biomorphic beings, fluctuating between success and failure in their own dayglo world of desolation. Miller is Head of Painting and Gallery Coordinator at SEMO in Missouri and represented by Zg Gallery in Chicago.

Gallery Talk by Justin Henry Miller

Justin Henry Miller's work in a solo exhibition entitled "Regards From The Black Hole" of drawings, paintings and sculpture culminates Saturday, December 16 when the artist provides an informal Gallery Talk at 3:30. The artist will walk around the room and share his techniques and discuss what motivates him to create. This is a free event. This exhibit is a must see for every artist creating realism or surrealism.

Education

Tango Practica Peoria - weekly tango practice and lesson

Sundays, 6:30- 9:00 pm through December 15

$5.00 cash per person, walk-ins welcome, no registration required.

Hosts: Vlad Niculescu and Constance Estep

Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, 2nd floor art gallery, rear entrance (Commercial Street)

Upcoming Events

Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, December 7, 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. Feature Poet: Wesley Frazier-Keys

Live at the Five Spot: Still Shine (acoustic roots/bluegrass)

Friday, December 8, 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. 

Salsa at CAC

Friday, December 15, 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

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.

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.