Peoria's Hidden Treasures

This week, we have another look at "Making Their Mark by Illinois Women Artists." We also preview the Peoria Riverfront Museum's "Gypsy Coeds Ride the Silver Streak," which has beautiful works that include quilts that have never been seen before.

For this week’s Hidden Treasures we explore several different artists. The first is Gerda Meyer Bernstein with "Marginalized" at the Hartmann Gallery. Then we go to the Studios on Sheridan to see "ME," an exhibition of self-portraits. Lastly, we talk about "Making Their Mark by Illinois Women Artists from 1940-1960."

We preview two more upcoming art exhibits this week. First, at the Peoria Art Guild, we look at works by Joy Christiansen Erb and Trina Perry Carlson. These works are from the brilliant minds of a photographer and a mixed media artist. Then, we see "Postcards for Barbara" at the Prairie Center of the Arts.

Autumn on the Prairie: This week, we look at two more upcoming exhibits. Works by the Prairie Fiber Guild will be shown at the Peoria Library Art Gallery this October. Then we find ourselves at the Exibit A Gallery in October for "Double Vision: Hiram Torrasson and Rick Melby."

We travel to the Exhibit A Gallery to find paintings by Don Kettleborough. Then we find ourselves looking into the Heuser Gallery to look at Envisioned Worlds: Lithographs from the Hokes Archives. Both are great opportunities to look into the local art scene.

There are several beautiful pieces at the Contemporary Art Center. First we hear about Got Jazz, Fiber Artists Coalition, and we learn about sculpture by Barbara Cooper. Both can be seen at the Contemporary Art Center September through October.

This week’s Hidden Treasures takes us to the Foster Art Gallery at the First United Methodist Church. Here we will find works by Sherri Burritt & Florence Gaffney. Then traveling to the Heuser Gallery we find Painting by Michiko Itatani.

We look at the last set of art galleries participating in the Citywide Celebration of Women Artists. The Liz Pearce Gallery in Dunlap features the work of five artists, exploring small, intimate spaces. Four Morton artists have works on display at the Jefferson Street Gallery. Finally, two events held in conjunction with the celebrations examine the business of art, and a panel of women artists talking about their experiences.

The Citywide Celebration of Women Artists continues with exhibits around the region. The Peoria Heights Library is exhibiting the work of 24 members of the Illinois Art League, including early members Jo Ann Bell and Pat Dale. The Picture This Gallery displays photos by owner Cheryl Dean and paper artist Susan Plott. Nearby, the Exhibit A Gallery features a number of works by women artists in the manner of an artist whose work has influenced them.

In conjunction with the Citywide Celebration of Women Artists, Bradley University’s Heuser Gallery is showing paintings by Chicago artist Eleanor Coen. Bradley’s Hartmann Center exhibits works from Bradley’s collection. Nearby are the Studios on Sheridan, with pieces by six women artists. And further north on Sheridan Road, Gallery Romain shows work by Sapphire and Crystals, a collective of African-American women artists in Chicago.

As part of the Citywide Celebration of Women Artists, the Peoria Public Library is displaying the Balance Crazy Quilt and other works on loan from the Peoria Historical Society. The Peoria Women’s Club is furnished with multiple artifacts and works of art, including several paintings by sisters Nona and Emily White. And the Peoria Riverfront Museum is showing eight newly-acquired works by women artists.

Throughout October and November, several galleries in Peoria are participating in the Celebration of Women Artists. The Prairie Center for the Arts features the work of Steph Van Doren, Carrie Pearce and Ken Hoffman. Studio 825 displays pieces by three artists, including Suzette Boulais.

Today, we’re looking at works on display in downtown Peoria, all participating in the city’s Celebration of Women Artists. The Contemporary Art Center features works by Chicago artist Christie Rojek and members of the Prairie Fiber Arts Guild. Around the corner, the Peoria Art Guild displays a sculpture by Ashley Morgan, and photographs by Barb Hoffman.

This week on Peoria's Hidden Treasures, we’re looking at works of art on Water Street in downtown Peoria.On the wall above the Water Street Café is a mural depicting New Orleans’ Mardi Gras parade. Revelers include a court jester, a centaur and a bull and a mermaid. A few blocks away is a sculpture called “Peoria Portal.” Consisting of a column of raw granite, a column of bronze, and a modern arch, the piece encapsulates a history of architectural ideas. Across from Contemporary Art Center stands a sculpture, “Flight of the Cakewalkers,” by Peoria’s Preston Jackson. Learn more in this week's installment of Peoria's Hidden Treasures.