Events Calendar

It’s our 62nd year for bringing original art to central Illinois and we want you to be a part of the celebration!
As one of the oldest art events in the country, the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair is nationally recognized for its organization, event marketing, and for putting artists’ needs at the top of the priority list. We offer affordable hotel rates, convenient artist parking, “grab ‘n go” breakfasts each morning, boxed lunches,Saturday Artist Award Party, snacks in the Artist Breakroom, cold water and hot coffee, along with 200 enthusiastic volunteers to take care of any artist need.
We were voted #41 in the Top Art Fairs in the Midwest by Sunshine Magazine in 2023!

“Colorful Visions” is an exhibition showcasing photographs by members of the Peoria Camera Club:
Alan Rogers, Andrea Monninger, Bennett Johnson, Bob Drake, Dan Ricks, Denise Romersberger, Jeanette Kosier, Jeramie Glass, Jill Attaway, Joe Virbickis, LaDean Spring, Lori Townzen, Marilyn Bierma, Ray Keithley, Russ Glass, Scott Dunham, Tom Ruhland, and Vicki Padesky.

Color and emotion are intimately related, and the colors in a photograph impact viewers’ emotions on many levels. The visions of the artists in the Peoria Camera Club range far and wide. Photographers have diverse collections of images, with color often playing a prominent role. In this exhibition, the Club members offer a variety of Colorful Visions for the community to enjoy.

Reception: Friday, April 5, 5-8 PM
Music by Dr. John Orfe

SHOW DATES: April 3 — April 25

Gallery Hours:
Sundays 8:30 AM-NOON
Monday through Friday – 9 AM – 1 PM
Other showings by appointment.

For additional information, call (309) 673-3641 or email [email protected].

Come visit our latest art exhibit at Peoria Public Library. Sanguine by the artist Feral.

The Mid-Illini art show celebrates the artistic talents and creative journey of our high school art students. Each artwork demonstrates the inspired vision, dedication, and potential of our emerging artists. We invite everyone to join us in recognizing the artistic achievements of our students.

Join us for the reception from 5-8 pm, April 25th.

The exhibition will be on view and open to the public April 20th-27th.

Gallery Hours: M – F, 9:00 – 4:00
Artist Reception: Thursday, May 2 from 5:00 – 8:00

Gallery Hours: M – F, 9:00 – 2:30; M – Th, 4:30 – 6:30
Artist Reception: Thursday, 5/2 from 5:00 – 8:00

Welcome to the 38th annual Gerald M. Brookhart Arts in Education Series Spring Celebration! This year, each weekday from April 22nd, 2024 to May 15th, 2024, the talents of students from local schools across central Illinois will resonate across the Peoria County Courthouse! Starting at 11:00AM through 1:00PM each weekday, arts in education will come alive and we hope you will join us!

The first day, April 22nd, the program kicks off at the Peoria Riverfront museum, featuring jazz performances from three local schools in recognition of International Jazz Month at 11:00AM.

Then, Tuesday April 23rd through May 15th, the program moves to the grounds of the Peoria County Courthouse. Lunchtime will mean so much more if you come out to support the arts in education! The attached flyer explains it all!

For updated and detailed information, please go to www.springcelebration.org and we will see you downtown in April!

All artists with a Peoria connection can submit their original art today, April 29, for this year’s Rennick Art Exhibition! Up to three works, 2D or 3D, May be submitted and ready for display. Cash prizes will be awarded at the opening reception on Thursday, May 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. All work accepted with a brief statement which relates the work to Peoria’s history.

Arts Intercambio: A Young Professionals Visioning Session
April 24th, Cafe Santa Rosa, Peoria Heights
Doors and Networking 4:30pm; Event 5:30pm-7pm
There is no cost
Register here: https://artspartners.net/april-intercambio/

“Intercambio,” meaning “exchange” or “interchange,” will be a relaxed event where emerging arts professionals (either artists or those working within arts organizations) and young professionals throughout the Greater Peoria region gather for a listening and visioning session to discuss ways to enhance collaborations between individuals and organizations/corporations. The goal is to increase and create new art experiences and opportunities for the public in central Illinois. This event is a collaboration between ArtsPartners of Central Illinois and the Peoria Women’s Club.
Coffee and snacks will be provided. Other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase.

Who this event is for:
For young and emerging artists and arts leaders who want to exchange ideas and share needs; young professionals interested in learning more about Greater Peoria’s arts and culture and contributing to the needs of area artists and arts organizations.

Needs addressed:
Greater Peoria has many things to offer — among those offerings are arts and culture. But how do we collaborate? If you’re an artist, how do you get outside of the “arts bubble”? If you’re an emerging arts leader, how do you connect with potential new patrons? And if you’re not involved in the arts, how do you even begin to find ways to become involved? (And why would you want to, anyway?)

The goal:
Identify important objectives and outcomes for growing the presence of arts and culture in Greater Peoria, specifically among young professionals and emerging arts leaders and artists. This could include events, collaborations — or whatever we dream up. We want everyone to leave with new connections that are beneficial professionally and align with your values.

How:
We will have group discussions that will be facilitated by Dr. Mae Gilliland Wright of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois and Lynette Steger of the Peoria Women’s Club, all while table leaders facilitate micro-discussions at individual tables.

Peoria-area artists are invited to this two-hour social event held the 4th Wednesday of every month. Bring your own beverage and come connect with other visual artists. Enter by the door on the east end of the building facing War Memorial Drive.

Metals Open Studio
Every Thursday 10-2 & First Saturday of the month 10-2.
Free for PAG members. $5 for non-members.

During this program for children 1 to 4 years of age and their grown-ups, children develop language, small motor skills, and social skills while engaging in hands-on exploration. Each class includes songs and musical instruments, a read-aloud story, time for play, and a visual art activity. Look for a different theme each week!

Cost (children only; no additional cost for adults accompanying children): $5 for members, $7 for non-members. Fee does not include the cost for museum admission.

Program Plus PlayHouse Admission for the Day (non-members only): $17 per child and $10 per adult.

This program has been made possible by a grant from OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois.

Using alcohol ink, we will create one-of-a-kind silk scarves. Even if you don’t wear scarves, you can put it on a hat, or hang it from your purse! Give it as a gift.

Location: North Art Studios in Peoria, IL

$35 covers materials but you Must reserve your seat in advance,

The Mid-Illini art show celebrates the artistic talents and creative journey of our high school art students. Each artwork demonstrates the inspired vision, dedication, and potential of our emerging artists. We invite everyone to join us in recognizing the artistic achievements of our students.

Join us for the reception from 5-8 pm, April 25th.

The exhibition will be on view and open to the public April 20th-27th.

The Mid-Illini art show celebrates the artistic talents and creative journey of our high school art students. Each artwork demonstrates the inspired vision, dedication, and potential of our emerging artists. We invite everyone to join us in recognizing the artistic achievements of our students.

Work from Canton, Dunlap, East Peoria, Limestone, Metamora, Pekin, Washington, Morton schools.

Join us for the reception from 5-8 pm, April 25th.

The exhibition will be on view and open to the public April 20th-27th.

Peoria Historical Society Trivia Night featuring H Wayne Wilson, emcee! See how much you know about Peoria, both past and present.

Join us at the WTVP Studio, 101 State Street, Peoria, IL 61602.

Doors open at 6:30 pm and Trivia games begins at 7 pm. Snacks will be provided, but you can also bring your own. Beer, wine, soft drinks and mulligans will be available to purchase as well. PHS members receive a mulligan at the door!

Prizes: Multiple gift cards to some of your favorite area restaurants in addition to passes to PHS homes and tours!

Tickets: $30 each or $200 for a table of 8. Purchase tickets online at 309tix.com or call 309-674-1921.

Come create art with us!

Join us each week to explore how illustrators bring imagination to life through various artistic processes. Each month features a different theme.

April’s theme is Watercolor!

This program has been made possible by a grant from the Community Foundation of Central Illinois and is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Learn about Alcohol Ink – and some uses for it.
All materials provided but register early, seats are limited.
Checkout here: https://square.link/u/MffXJIAD

Native American Sweat Lodge Workshop will be a hands on educational event spanning over a weekend.

The Bradley University Groove Project, under the direction of Dr. Todd Kelly, and the
Bradley Jazz Singers, directed by Spencer Rockford will present a concert on Friday
April 26 at 7:30 pm in the Dingeldine Music Center. The concert will also be live
streamed from the Bradley Music Department web page.

The Groove Project is a New Orleans style brass band that performs all music by ear.
Bradley Jazz Singers is the newest addition to Bradley’s jazz offerings.

Under the direction of Dr. Kelly, the jazz program at Bradley includes a big band, New
Orleans brass band, jazz combo, vocal jazz group, and courses in American Music
History, Jazz Improvisation, and Jazz Arranging. Bradley students can minor in Jazz
Studies.

Admission is $10.00, and free for students.

Help us record the plants, animals, and fungi species on 1800-acres of Wildlife Prairie Park from 12 – 3pm on April 27. Let’s celebrate Earth Day by making as many observations as we can and catalog the biodiversity of WPP.

Anyone can be a naturalist with iNaturalist. Just download the app and upload a picture of the wildlife you observe at the Park. The app will even help you identify what you see!

Come to the Park and learn about iNaturalist and put it into action by making observations.
Start at Forest Hall Education Center for an introductory presentation at 12pm and hike with us over to floodplain trail to make some observations. Check out the Spring Bioblitz Project Page (https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/wpp-bioblitz-2-4-27-24), that will post real time updates during the Bioblitz.

This event is FREE with paid admission. Admission is FREE for WPP Members.