Just a Reminder that the CAC will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

We want to wish you all a Happy and Safe Holiday!

Live at the Five Spot

Still Shine

Friday, Nov 25, 2022 ~ 6:30-8:30pm BUY TICKETS

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

Still Shine is a group of like-minded, seasoned musicians blending acoustic roots and progressive bluegrass. Mixing acoustic guitar (Rob Bailey), upright bass (Dave Frye), harmonica (Andy Passie), banjo (Steve Hatfield), mandolin/ tenor banjo/percussion (Wes Duffy), and tight vocal harmonies, they have quickly gained a following in the Midwest. They have shared the stage with artists such as Split Lip Rayfield, Chicago Farmer and The Way Down Wanderers just to name a few. Along with some well received original music, the band performs an upbeat, energetic show you won't want to miss! Visit www.stillshinegrass.com for music and video.

Giving Tuesday

Join us in reaching our goal of $7,000 for the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. November 29 is Giving Tuesday, a day of Global Giving To help raise awareness of charitable causes and encourage donors’ generosity. https://www.facebook.com/donate/648982090305789/

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 29. #GivingTuesday #GiveCACPeoria

Caterpillar participates in Giving Tuesday

In support of the Caterpillar Foundation’s 70th Anniversary and Giving Tuesday, the 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 28 through December 12, 2022 (or once the match total reaches $2M USD). If you are interested, we recommend taking action soon after the opportunity launches the week of November 28 as this 2:1 match is on a first-come first-serve basis and we may reach our cap quickly! For program details and to submit your match request, visit the Limited-Time 2:1 Match site to review guidelines and FAQs.

Qingjun Huang: Housed/Unhoused

November 4 - December 17 ~ Preston Jackson Gallery

Chinese artists Qingjun Huang and his wife Liu Yang recently emigrated to USA to live in Peoria. While in China, Qingjun convinced people to display all of their belongings in front of their homes to be photographed. He also created a series with unhoused people making the same request. A selection of both series will be placed side by side in the gallery as in a diptych format. All kinds of conclusions can be made from this documentation.

In this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQxg2fsoSMs, Chinese photographer Qingjun Huang talks about his photographic series, "Family Stuff". See some of Qingjun's photographs in person through December 17 in the Preston Jackson Gallery at Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. Chinese artists Qingjun Huang and his wife Liu Yang recently emigrated to USA to live in Peoria. While in China, Qingjun convinced people to display all of their belongings in front of their homes to be photographed. He also created a series with unhoused people making the same request. A selection of both series will be placed side by side in the gallery as in a diptych format in an exhibit called "House/Unhoused".

You can also read an article in the Community Word by Lisa Nelson Raabe: Inland Art: Marrying mediums, Qingjun Huang and Liu Yang creating happily ever after - The Community Word

9th Annual A Small Wonder Gift Shop 

October 28 - December 17 ~ 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 lots more will be on display. See attached page for a sample of what is on display.

Besides regular business hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11-5:00, we are open late until 9:00pm during events

(First Friday, Live at the Five Spot) and at the combined art reception on Saturday, November 19, 6:30-8:30pm.

The Contemporary Art Center is located at 305 SW Water Street, Peoria, IL 61602. Call or text 309-674-6822 or contact us with questions for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, Dec 1, 2022 ~ 8:00-10:00pm BUY TICKETS

Tickets in Advance Online at 309tix: $5-members, $8-nonmembers, $3-poets + fees (until 6pm day of event). (*No money will be taken at the door unless we don’t reach our max capacity) 

1st Friday Studio Tour

Friday, Dec 2, 2022 ~ 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 and creative talents of local artists.

Live at the Five Spot: Tambora (flamenco/pop)

Friday, Dec 9, 2022 ~ 6:30-8:30pm BUY TICKETS

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, Dec 15, 2022 ~ 8:00-10:00pm BUY TICKETS

Tickets in Advance Online at 309tix: $5-members, $8-nonmembers, $3-poets + fees (until 6pm day of event). (*No money will be taken at the door unless we don’t reach our max capacity) 

Salsa at CAC

Friday, Dec 16, 2022 ~ 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: Joe Metzka Band (soul, blues, holiday music)

Friday, Dec 23, 2022 ~ 6:30-8:30pm BUY TICKETS

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

Special New Year's Salsa at CAC

Saturday, Dec 31, 2022

Welcome in the New Year with a complementary dance lesson,

party favors and a champagne toast.

Dance Lesson and Open Dancing: 8:30-1:00am - music by of Eduardo Caballero

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

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.

 *Joe Metzka/St. Louis,  *Tambora/Local

Updates on New Dressing Room at CAC

Help us create a dressing room! The goal is to raise $5,000 for cost of materials and labor. Donate on our website https://peoriacac.org/donation-page/ or mail a check, payable to “CAC”, to the address below.

On April 26, The Contemporary Art Center Board of Directors voted to cease issuing event passes.

The reasons are as follows: During the first summer of the pandemic, we resumed events. To control the number of guests allowed according to whatever the current mitigation levels were, we initiated using an online ticket system. Because the events were usually losing money, we decided to pause honoring passes. In 2021, we started exploring how we could use a coupon or discount system within the ticket system, but found the system was not robust enough to handle something as complicated as we required. The ticket system has proved popular, so we will continue its use. There is no way to use the passes within the system. With many apologies, the decision was to no longer issue passes or honor them any longer. The letters, website and literature will eventually be updated to reflect this decision.