The Peoria Art Community, For One Night Only
The art scene in Peoria is equal parts flourishing and inviting. If you don't believe me, come see for yourself.
Walking into the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, there is vibrant and interesting art on display, 24/7. However, the first Friday of each month, patrons of the arts have the opportunity to get to know the local artists featured, whose personalities match their work.
At least, that went for photographer Bennett Johnson, who had just finished recommending local restaurants to a pair of patrons when I walked into the vicinity of his studio. Within minutes, we were chatting about his work, our shared Chicagoland upbringing, and family stories. A few minutes after that, he was showing off his wife’s jewelry, while his wife proudly modeled, expertly setting her husband up to give me a playfully hard time about not complimenting the jewelry myself, unprompted.
The jewelry was very chic, by the way. Her pin and earrings, both custom made, both black and gold, went perfectly together.
Right next door to Johnson, portrait painter and illustrator Adrienne Risby’s studio is relatively sparse, but that’s just because it’s a new space for her. The portraits that surround her are striking. Their palette, she says, is informed by the music she listens to as she paints.
“I’ve been here in Peoria for about 40 years, and have been an artist that whole time,” Risby says, smiling and shaking her head. “Preston [Jackson] gave me the confidence to use color. Before him, I was all black and white, just illustrations. He told me ‘of you can do that, you can do it on color,’ and he was right.”
Similarly, while speaking with sculptor and painter Billie Howd, who presented her art and gave a heartfelt speech to those present, she spoke of Preston Jackson with great respect and reverence, simply calling him “Preston.” Jackson, who had his own section on the second floor, continues to make art today, which only furthers his “local legend” status among the artists present, many of which he mentored.
Regardless of age, or connection to Preston Jackson, First Fridays serve as an artistic hotspot for those of all ages. Sophia Coulter, a Bradley student majoring in graphic design, admitted that she was here to support her professor, but was quick to answer me when I asked if she would come back.
“Absolutely!” said Coulter. “This is my zone right here, I’ll definitely come to another one of these.”