1st Friday Studio Tour and Gallery Talks

Friday, March 1, 2024 ~ 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. The public is invited to this open house style events.

Gallery Talk-6:30pm: Billie Howd-Gallery 3R and then Cathie Crawford-3rd floor Classroom

Gallery Talk-7:30pm: Artist Member Exhibit Gallery Talk, 2nd floor-Preston Jackson Gallery • Huang, Qingjun • Lisa Nelson Raabe • Heather Ford • Gene Mialkowski • Saint Hex (Erica Pamson)

Billie Howd Exhibit: Canvas and Clay

February 23 - April 5, 2024 ~ Gallery 3R

Acrylic paint and texture medium along with strong line and geometric shapes epitomize Howd's paintings. An emphasis on intuitive processes and a poetry of space hints at imaginary places. Her terracotta sculpture emphasizes figurative form and attitude to describe a life of emotional joy and turmoil. The pieces are presented from a decidedly feminine perspective.

Cathie Crawford: Relief Printmaking

March 1 - 29, 2024, 3rd floor classroom

To correspond with her relief printmaking class in March, Cathie will display her work in the classroom. Learn more about the class and Cathie at Relief Printmaking - Contemporary Art Center of Peoria (peoriacac.org)

CAC Member Artists Biennial Exhibition

March 1 - April 13, 2024, Preston Jackson Gallery

The artists enrolled in the Contemporary Art Center’s Artist Membership program (CIAO) return to the Contemporary Art Center for a dynamic group exhibition featuring one work of art from each member covering most mediums.

About the Judge: Gary Justis is Professor Emeritus of Art at Illinois State University where he has taught sculpture for 25 years. He also works in the areas of kinetics, photography and printmaking. He studied sculpture working towards his Master of Fine Arts Degree and taught at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has exhibited work at the Whitney Museum of American Art at Phillip Morris, NY, The New Museum of Contemporary Art, NY, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago and the Los Angeles Center for Digital Art.

Combined Art Reception: Saturday, March 16, 2024, 6:30- 8:30 pm

featuring music by Harry Tonchiv Trio, complimentary food & drinks ? free admission, donation requested. Meet the exhibiting artists and view their artwork in three galleries.

Education

Tango Practica Peoria - weekly tango practice and lesson

Starts Sunday, January 21, 2024

Figure Drawing Class - Tuesdays, January 30- March 19, 6:30-8:30 pm

CAC Member: $70, Non-Member: $85, drop-in with $15 fee per class.

Relief Printmaking - Wednesdays, March 6 - March 27, 2:00-4:00 pm

Instructor: Cathie Crawford

Dancing With The Self: An Explorative Movement Workshop- 

Wednesdays, March 6 - March 27, 6:00-7:30 pm

Instructor: Erica Pamson

Ages: 18 & up, Minimum Students: 4, Maximum: 8

CAC Member: $40, Non-Member: $45 - Registration deadline: Wednesday, February 28

Watercolor Class

Thursdays, April 4 – May 9, 6:00-8:00pm (six 2-hour sessions)

Instructor: Maggie Martino

Minimum Students: 6, Maximum: 10

CAC Member: $80, Non-Member: $95 - Registration deadline: Mar 28

Upcoming Events

Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, March 7, 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: Sheri Purpose Hall

Live at the Five Spot: Vinyl Tap (classic rock)

Friday, March 8, 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.

Salsa at CAC

Friday, March 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

Combined Art Reception

Saturday, March 16, 2024, 6:30- 8:30 pm

featuring music by Harry Tonchiv Trio, complimentary food & drinks ? free admission, donation requested. Meet the exhibiting artists and view their artwork in three galleries.

*Donations of wine or store purchased goodies would be much appreciated. Contact Darlene at [email protected] or 309-674-6822.

Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, March 21, 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: Sheri Purpose Hall

Live at the Five Spot: Tambora (Flamenco/rock)

Friday, March 22, 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: Stephanie Aaron (jazz)

Friday, April 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. 

Pippi & Daniel (soul/gospel)

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.

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

Friday, May 10, 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: 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.