Contemporary Art Center News - July 4, 2023

Arts and Entertainment

July 6, 2023

$4,040 so far has been raised.

In October 2022, the passenger elevator that serves our 4-story building and our neighbor’s building stopped working. Months were then spent exploring why it failed, possible solutions and choosing who to make the repairs followed. We have explored grants and there are none that pays for elevators. To make matters worse, there have been many surprising obstacles for the repairmen. The price tag continues to rise from the initial quote of $107,000 to now well over $275,000 and the elevator still has not been restored. The lack of an elevator has impacted our business significantly.

Help us raise money to pay for the elevator repairs. We don’t yet know the final price tag. Our part will be ¼ the final cost which at this point is at least $75,000. We share the elevator with 311 Water and other owners of our building, 305 Water.

Choices for supporting the cause include:

GoFundMe https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-elevator-repair?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

Facebook fundraiser at https://www.facebook.com/donate/1350067748888975/

on our website at Donation Page - Contemporary Art Center of Peoria (peoriacac.org)

cash in person during business hours

mail a check payable to ‘CAC” with ‘elevator’ written in the notes section to Contemporary Art Center, 305 SW Water St., Peoria IL 61602

Flowers for Ukraine

June 30-August 11, 2023 - Preston Jackson Gallery

Reception: Saturday, July 15, 6:30-8:30

free admission, donation requested

To show our support for Ukraine and to raise donations, Central Illinois artists have created artwork and patrons are invited to purchase them and/or to donate directly to various organizations serving in Ukraine. Donations can also be given to CAC to be passed on. Contemporary Art Center will donate 20% of sales any donations to Blue Yellow USA https://foblueyellowukraineusa.org/. We also suggest making donations to Save Ukraine https://saveukraineua.org/. Donations to either organization go directly to Ukraine and are US tax deductible.

Besides live music by Strat & Strand and complimentary snacks and drinks, the reception will feature a flower sculpture by Kira Santiago that can only be seen at the reception.

WCBU - Out and About

On this week's episode of Out and About, Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with William Butler, Executive Director of the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, and Kira Santiago, the owner, farmer and designer at Kira’s Flowers about the upcoming exhibition "Flowers for Ukraine."

The artwork expresses sympathy and support for the plight of Ukrainians, but also illustrates opposition to the oppression of individual autonomy and totalitarian regimes using war as a means to solve conflict between nations.

You can see the exhibition June 30 through August 11, with a reception on July 15. Learn more at Flowers for Ukraine - Contemporary Art Center of Peoria (peoriacac.org)

Listen Here

To show appreciation for Ukrainian culture, we will sell flower crowns by Kira Santiago for $38 each to wear during the event. Flower crowns must be ordered prior to the event. The deadline to order: midnight, July 9. Order your flower crowns at https://309tix.com/events/flower-crowns-for-flowers-for-ukraine-reception-7-15-2023

Vera Scekic: Synthetic Being

June 30-August 11, 2023 - Gallery 3R

Vera Scekic is especially fond of manipulating paint as it surrenders to gravity. Her playful works evoke biotic forms growing like microbial blooms in petri dishes. Scekic has exhibited throughout the country and runs a contemporary art gallery (OS Projects) in Racine, Wisconsin.

Besides live music by Strat & Strand and complimentary snacks and drinks, the reception will feature a flower sculpture by Kira Santiago that can only be seen at the reception.

Whisper & Shout

Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, July 6, 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: Feature Poet: Ollie ‘HoodRaised’ Woods

Ollie ‘HoodRaised’ Woods is the founder of “Team At Ease Entertainment”, the host of the National award winning open mic “At Ease Sundays” and co-founder of a national TV network OMTV, which is powered by Roku TV and Fire TV. He has released 3 books: “Jotted Gems”, “Bits and Pieces”, & “Therap-HE”, published six spoken word albums and several videos of poetry on all video streaming apps. In 2021, NSWA awarded him Host of the Year and “The Luminary” Album of the Year. Wishing to help other artists hone their craft, HoodRaised formed a course titled “Stages”, a performance enhancement class. Taking his spoken word talent to new levels, he’s staying true to his motto, “I don’t have to change my space in order to change my fate.”

1st Friday Studio Tour

Friday, July 7, 2023 ~ 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.

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.

The public is invited to this open house style events, featuring the exhibits described above. No food or drink will be offered.

Photographer Seeks Subjects

Photographer Qingjun Huang seeks subjects to immortalize in a photograph. He wants to photograph some people in Central Illinois in the next few months as Fuji is sponsoring him to participate in a traveling international group photography exhibition. So far, he has created one of Peorian Whitney Jensen, that was displayed in his exhibit at the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria in 2022. Read More

Upcoming Education:

Figure Drawing/Open Studio

Tuesdays, July 11 - August 29, 6:30-8:30 pm

Beginning Salsa Dance (level 1)

Tuesdays, July 11 - August 8, 6:30-7:25 pm

Beginning Salsa Dance (level 2)

Tuesdays, July 11 - August 8, 7:30-8:25 pm

Upcoming Events:

Live at the Five Spot: Beth Bombara (folk/rock/americana)

Friday, July 14 ~ 6:30-8:30pm

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

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