BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 METHOD:PUBLISH CALSCALE:GREGORIAN PRODID:-//WordPress - MECv5.22.3//EN X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://peoriacac.org/ BEGIN:VEVENT UID:MEC-c2c86788ca17eea2353cb76376e1f220@peoriacac.org DTSTART:20260227T000000Z DTEND:20260301T000000Z DTSTAMP:20251209T000000Z RRULE:FREQ=WEEKLY;UNTIL=20260418T000000Z;BYDAY=MO,TU,WE,TH,FR,SA CREATED:20251208 LAST-MODIFIED:20260226 SUMMARY:Art on the Offense DESCRIPTION:[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”100%” admin_label=”Blurb” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#333333″ custom_margin=”||-1px|||” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_before=”font-family: simple-line-icons;||font-size: 20px;||content: %22%92e075%22;||color: #737373;||position: relative;||padding-bottom: 1.2em !important;||vertical-align: top;” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]\nFeb 27 2026 – Apr 18 2026\n[/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_4_line_height=”1.6em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]\nCall To Artists\nPremise: What can artists do to resist those who erode democratic foundations? Artists have always been utilized to create imagery to encourage the discouraged, inspire others to action or evoke change. The unwritten language transmits a powerful message. Imagery has also been employed throughout history to manipulate the undecided and discourage opposition. Adolf Hitler’s chief propagandist and cultural arbiter, Joseph Goebbels, considered that “art is no mere peacetime amusement, but a sharp spiritual weapon of war.” Goebbels used art as a weapon to suppress others and even make it easier for German citizens to murder millions. It is no wonder that the first major cultural institutions to suffer were the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian, like canaries in the coal mine.\nWe wish to inspire artists to create artwork that mirrors their values as a personal, cathartic exercise but also to rally others to resist the major shift in our governmental systems; perhaps even an end to democracy in the United States of America. To take a stand and create art as a weapon against totalitarianism, unfairness and censorship is a bold step and may even be a dangerous exercise. Let us make known our desire to preserve our civil liberties and uphold the Constitution for which so many have fought and died.\nArtwork can take on many forms: a soothing balm of hope amidst turmoil, a subtle persuasion to those on the fence or a lightning bolt destroying norms and illuminating falsehood. We want to extend the reach of the exhibit beyond the gallery walls. To promote freedom of speech, peace and security for everyone, democracy and resistance to authoritarianism, we will encourage visitors to share the images with their social media posts.\n[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Over 50 artists from Central Illinois and beyond answered the call to make art resisting those who erode democratic foundations by creating art as a weapon against totalitarianism, unfairness, censorship, and to preserve our liberties for which so many have fought and died. Art can take on many forms: a soothing balm of hope, a subtle persuasion to those on the fence or a lightning bolt illuminating falsehood.\nCombined Art Reception, on Mar 21st at 6:30-8:30pm, will feature poets and musicians sharing in an open mic environment.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://peoriacac.org/peoria_cac/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WEBSITE-Art-on-the-Offense-collage-300×161.jpg” title_text=”WEBSITE Art on the Offense collage” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_margin=”75px||55px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”5%” border_width_all=”24px” border_color_all=”#ffffff” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_vertical=”20px” box_shadow_blur=”90px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.2)” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”right” custom_margin=”-25px||||false|false” text_text_align=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]\nImage: Banksy, a mural on Queens Court Building, London\n[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9hdHRhY2htZW50Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjU3MTE5In19@” button_text=”Prospectus” button_alignment=”center” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” custom_button=”on” button_border_color=”#e02b20″ button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”||40px|||” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”#E02B20″ button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjU3MDIzIn19@” button_text=”Registration” button_alignment=”center” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” custom_button=”on” button_border_color=”#e02b20″ button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”||40px|||” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”#E02B20″ button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]\nArtists! There is still time to participate in this exhibition before the February 13 deadline!1. Read the prospectus, above2. Choose a piece to enter and complete online registration3. Deliver your art with identification tag to Contemporary Art Center\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]\n X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”100%” admin_label=”Blurb” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#333333″ custom_margin=”||-1px|||” custom_padding=”20px||0px||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_before=”font-family: simple-line-icons;||font-size: 20px;||content: %22%92e075%22;||color: #737373;||position: relative;||padding-bottom: 1.2em !important;||vertical-align: top;” custom_css_main_element=”display: flex;” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Feb 27 2026 – Apr 18 2026

[/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ header_4_line_height=”1.6em” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Call To Artists

Premise: What can artists do to resist those who erode democratic foundations? Artists have always been utilized to create imagery to encourage the discouraged, inspire others to action or evoke change. The unwritten language transmits a powerful message. Imagery has also been employed throughout history to manipulate the undecided and discourage opposition. Adolf Hitler’s chief propagandist and cultural arbiter, Joseph Goebbels, considered that “art is no mere peacetime amusement, but a sharp spiritual weapon of war.” Goebbels used art as a weapon to suppress others and even make it easier for German citizens to murder millions. It is no wonder that the first major cultural institutions to suffer were the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian, like canaries in the coal mine.

We wish to inspire artists to create artwork that mirrors their values as a personal, cathartic exercise but also to rally others to resist the major shift in our governmental systems; perhaps even an end to democracy in the United States of America. To take a stand and create art as a weapon against totalitarianism, unfairness and censorship is a bold step and may even be a dangerous exercise. Let us make known our desire to preserve our civil liberties and uphold the Constitution for which so many have fought and died.

Artwork can take on many forms: a soothing balm of hope amidst turmoil, a subtle persuasion to those on the fence or a lightning bolt destroying norms and illuminating falsehood. We want to extend the reach of the exhibit beyond the gallery walls. To promote freedom of speech, peace and security for everyone, democracy and resistance to authoritarianism, we will encourage visitors to share the images with their social media posts.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Over 50 artists from Central Illinois and beyond answered the call to make art resisting those who erode democratic foundations by creating art as a weapon against totalitarianism, unfairness, censorship, and to preserve our liberties for which so many have fought and died. Art can take on many forms: a soothing balm of hope, a subtle persuasion to those on the fence or a lightning bolt illuminating falsehood.

Combined Art Reception, on Mar 21st at 6:30-8:30pm, will feature poets and musicians sharing in an open mic environment.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https://peoriacac.org/peoria_cac/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WEBSITE-Art-on-the-Offense-collage-300×161.jpg” title_text=”WEBSITE Art on the Offense collage” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ custom_margin=”75px||55px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”0px||” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” animation_style=”zoom” animation_intensity_zoom=”5%” border_width_all=”24px” border_color_all=”#ffffff” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_vertical=”20px” box_shadow_blur=”90px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.2)” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ text_text_color=”#666666″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”right” custom_margin=”-25px||||false|false” text_text_align=”right” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Image: Banksy, a mural on Queens Court Building, London

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9hdHRhY2htZW50Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjU3MTE5In19@” button_text=”Prospectus” button_alignment=”center” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” custom_button=”on” button_border_color=”#e02b20″ button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”||40px|||” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”#E02B20″ button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjU3MDIzIn19@” button_text=”Registration” button_alignment=”center” disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” custom_button=”on” button_border_color=”#e02b20″ button_use_icon=”off” custom_margin=”||40px|||” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|hover” button_bg_color__hover=”#E02B20″ button_bg_enable_color__hover=”on”][/et_pb_button][et_pb_text disabled_on=”on|on|on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” disabled=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Artists! There is still time to participate in this exhibition before the February 13 deadline!
1. Read the prospectus, above
2. Choose a piece to enter and complete online registration
3. Deliver your art with identification tag to Contemporary Art Center

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URL:https://peoriacac.org/events/art-on-the-offense/ ORGANIZER;CN=:MAILTO: CATEGORIES:Exhibition,Expired LOCATION:Preston Jackson Gallery ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://peoriacac.org/peoria_cac/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/WEBSITE-Art-on-the-Offense-collage.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR