Pippi & Daniel (soul/R&B)

Friday, April 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. 

Pippi Ardennia & Daniel L Leahy are eclectic, stylistic composers & performers that will share their favorite original compositions and the standards they most love. Their eight-piece band produces the perfect blend of Jazz, Soul, Blues, Gospel and R&B with thought provoking lyrics. Learn more at www.pndmusic.com

Whisper & Shout

Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, May 2, 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.

Featured Poet: Arrie Lane 

Arrie Lane is a mother, poet, actress, writer & director born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. She has placed top three in a myriad of slams around the country over the last year and is currently a finalist the Motown Mic: the Spoken Word Competition by Motown Museum. In September of 2021 on all streaming platforms, she released her first Spoken Word album "Organized Chaos Vol. 1". She believes art heals and breaks down barriers. It is oxygen for a creative and is one of our greatest healing tools.

1st Friday Studio Tour

Friday, May 3, 2024 ~ 5:00-9:00pm ~ free event

Live Music by Black Velvet

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.

Black Velvet is a Peoria Based Duo performing many 80-90’s hits including The Police, Prince, Peter Gabriel and Fleetwood Mac with a special set of music by Grammy winning guitarist, Jeff Beck.

Exhibits

Maggie Martino: Watercolors

April 5 - 26, 2024 ~ 3rd Floor Classroom

To correspond with her watercolor class in April, Maggie displays her work in the classroom. Maggie has always been fascinated by the colors and patterns of nature, the interplay of light and shadow, and the rhythms of lines and curves. Now retired, Maggie would like to share her love of watercolors with others.

17th Annual CAC Peoria Area Juried

High School Art Exhibition

April 19 - April 27, 2024 ~ Gallery 3R, 3rd floor

Thanks to the teachers and students for participating again this year in the 17th Annual Area High School Exhibition. The Contemporary Art Center is proud to show off the outstanding work of our area high school students. We appreciate all the organizational skills, hard work and initiative evident demonstrated in their participation. This year, 129 students from 9 area high schools submitted 172 pieces and 129 pieces are exhibited. Click on this link for Outstanding Achievement, Honorable Mention and Merit recipients. 17th Annual CAC Peoria Area Juried High School Art Exhibition - Contemporary Art Center of Peoria (peoriacac.org)

Alice Y Traore: Of Roots and Wings

April 26 - June 21, 2024 ~ Preston Jackson Gallery

An exploration of grounding and aspiration is depicted in this body of work by Alice Y Traore. Religion, gender, race–the learning and unlearning of identity are themes that flow through these watercolor paintings and emerge to tell this artist’s tale.

Alice will speak about her work at the 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration on Wednesday, June 19th 6:30-8:30pm.

Carol Quell and Joel Ryser

May 3-June 21, 2024 ~ Gallery 3R

A fixture in the Peoria art scene for many years, Carol Quell is a former educator who creates ethereal, abstract landscapes that pair well with the colorful glass works of Joel Ryser, founder / executive director of Hot Glass, Inc. of Davenport, Iowa, a non-profit dedicated to teaching teenagers glassblowing.

Katrina Morrison: Relief Prints

May 3 - 24, 2024 ~ 3rd Floor Classroom

To correspond with her relief printmaking workshop on May 25, Katrina displays her work in the classroom. Katrina Morrison graduated from Bradley University in 1993 with a BFA, studying printmaking, painting and drawing. She currently operates a studio/art gallery called Garden Thyme in Bishop Hill.

Education

Tango Practica Peoria

Sunday, 6:30-9:00pm ~ weekly tango practice and lesson

A weekly tango practica is offered every Sunday, at Contemporary Art Center of Peoria in the 2nd floor art gallery. Traditionally, a Tango Practica is offered for dancers of all levels who have received instruction and have desire to practice.

Admission is $5.00 per person. Please bring cash and exact change. Leaders and teachers volunteer their time. Money collected is a donation to Contemporary Art Center.

Figure Drawing Class - Tuesday Afternoons, April 23-June 11, 2:00-4:00 pm

(eight 2-hour sessions) Ages 18 & up, minimum students: 4, maximum: 12  

THIS CLASS IS FULL – REGISTRATION IS CLOSED – NO DROP-INS

Figure Drawing Class - Tuesday Evenings, April 23-June 11, 6:30-8:30 pm

(eight 2-hour sessions) Ages 18 & up, minimum students: 4, maximum: 12  

CAC Member: $75; Non-Member: $90; Drop-in: $15 fee per class.

Beginners Salsa (level 1) Tuesdays, April 30-May 28, 6:30-7:25 pm

Instructors: Eduardo & Beverly Caballero, CAC Member: $40; Non-Member: $45

Registration deadline: Tuesday Midnight, April 26

Beginners Salsa (level 2) Tuesdays, April 30-May 28, 7:30-8:25 pm

Instructors: Eduardo & Beverly Caballero, CAC Member: $40; Non-Member: $45

Registration deadline: Tuesday Midnight, April 26

Relief Printmaking - Saturday, May 25, 10:00am-5:00pm

Instructor: Katrina Morrison

CAC Member: $140; Nonmember: $160

Minimum students required: 6 Maximum students: 8

Registration deadline: Tuesday, May 18

Upcoming Events

Live at the Five Spot: Cousin Eddie (lite rock)

Friday, May 10, 2024 ~ 6:30-8:30pm

Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, May 16, 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. Featured Poet: Arrie Lane

Salsa at CAC

Friday, May 17, 2024 - 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

Combined Art Reception

Saturday, May 18, 2024, 6:30- 8:30 pm

featuring music by DJ YV. complimentary food & drinks ? free admission, donation requested.

Meet the exhibiting artists and view their artwork in three galleries.

Live at the Five Spot: Dorann and the Soul Mystics (R&B/funk)

Friday, May 24, 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: John Miller & the Romaniacs (Gypsy jazz)

Friday, June 14, 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.

4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration: Judy Page Project

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 ~ 6:30-8:30pm ~ Preston Jackson Gallery

The music for this event is sponsored by Weston Meuth.

The public is invited to this free event. No food or drink will be offered but guests may bring their own food and drink.

Painter Alice Traore, youngest daughter of artist Preston Jackson, founder of the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, will share insights into her watercolor paintings on display in the gallery. Host of Contemporary Art Center’s Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry, Ryan Lowry will share poetry. Other presenters will also share short messages, including Cynthia Smith, Manager of the Lincoln Branch, Peoria Public Library. In-between speakers, music will be performed by Judy Page, Preston Jackson and their band.

Live at the Five Spot: Soft Spoken (R&B/funk, jazz)

Friday, June 28, 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.