Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, Sept 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)

Featured Poet: Mr. 16

Mr. 16, born Tyson Langhorn, is a Peoria native who has been an active advocate in local entertainment since the early 2000’s. From local promoter to nationally recognized battle rapper, he has always shown an interest in the arts. His impeccable wordplay is nothing short of soul food for thought and he has yet to disappoint us, as a seasoned performer at Whisper and Shout! Diverse and intellectual content, within rhythmic lyrical chaos, is the best way to describe Mr. 16’s approach on stage.

1st Friday Studio Tour

Friday, Sept 2, 2022 ~ 5:00-9:00pm ~ free event

Visit the Artist Studios where many artists create, display and sell their work. While here, view art exhibitions in three galleries.

On the 3rd floor, see the studios of Tanya Bayer, Kaye Berry, William Butler, Elizabeth Davis, Duffy Armstrong Farrell, Julie K.W. Harkless, Larry Hendricks, Bennett Johnson, Darlene Jones, Richard Kirchgessner, Donald Mason, Kagan Masters, Joy Johannes Miller and Jack Ryan. In the Side View Gallery on the 2nd floor, see the work of Preston Jackson, Natalie Jackson, Joy Kessler and Aareon Boyd. The public is invited to this open house style events.

Phyllis Bramson Lecture: In collaboration with Fine Arts Society of Peoria and the Illinois Women Artists Project, Bramson will lecture at the Contemporary Art Center on Saturday, September 17, at 3:30 before the reception. The public is invited. free admission, donation requested.

Combined Art Reception: Saturday, September 17, 2022,

6:30-8:30 pm, free admission, donation requested. Travis Janssen will give a gallery talk at the end of the evening.

Meet the exhibiting artists and view their artwork in three galleries. Complimentary refreshments will be offered.

Art Exhibition

Travis Janssen - Helvetica: Uppercase

August 26 – October 22 ~ Preston Jackson Gallery

A confluence of video, experimental typography and photo processes, Janssen’s work translates letterforms from the Helvetica typeface into meditative geometric images, implying vast space and structure onto a two-dimensional plane. This exhibit of video and prints investigates the nature of vision and transformation of the mundane into the sublime. Janssen is currently an Associate Professor and Head of the Printmaking Program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Promotional image: Helvetica_A, cyanotype, 24" x 24", 2022

Art Exhibition

Phyllis Bramson: Mostly Folly (and a Few Kerfuffles)

August 26 – October 15 ~ Gallery 3R

Bramson is a voyeur in her own eccentric narrative of romantic folly and loss. Her often steamy, dichotomous scenes are composed of vignettes in a theatrical like space. Bramson retired in 2007 as Professor Emerita from the University of Illinois in Chicago and has advised MFA students at the School of the Art Institute since 2007.

In collaboration with Fine Arts Society of Peoria and the Illinois Women Artists Project, Bramson will lecture at the Contemporary Art Center on September 17 at 3:30 before the reception.

Promotional image: Exchanging Cosmic Breath (Seasonal Mostly Winter), 2020, mixed media and collage on canvas, 60” x 50”

Figure Drawing/Open Studio

Tuesday, September 6 - October 25, 6:30-8:30 pm

Adult Hip Hop Groove Class

Wednesday, October 12 - November 9, 6:15-7:10 pm 

Adult Intermediate-Advanced Hip Hop Groove Class

Wednesday, October 12 - November 9, 7:15 -8:10 pm 

Beginning Tango Dance

Sundays, September 11 - October 2, 2022, 6:30-7:25 pm 

Intermediate Tango Dance

Sundays, September 11-October 2, 2022, 7:30-8:25 pm

Live at the Five Spot: Beth Bombara (americana)

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

Tickets in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-members, $12-nonmembers + fees

(till 5:00pm the day of event) Tickets at the door*: $12-Members, $16-nonmembers

Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, Sept 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, Sept 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: The Judy Page Project (soul, jazz)

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

Tickets in Advance Online at 309tix: $8-members, $12-nonmembers + fees

(till 5:00pm the day of event) Tickets at the door*: $12-Members, $16-nonmember

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,

Judy Page-Local

Tambora - Local

The Water Street Stompers - Local

Cousin Eddie - Local

New Dressing Room at CAC

Help us create a dressing room! Band members need a place to change and store their personal items. When brides consider gallery rental for a wedding reception, a frequent question is, “where can I change?” Adding the room will improve rental income, a major source of revenue to support the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. 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.