Inland Art | Artistic freedom inspires Iranian artist
Iranian-born painter Shahrbanoo Hamzeh moved to the United States in 2018 as a graduate student and completed an MFA in Painting from Illinois State University in the spring of 2021.
Since graduation, the artist has continued…
Inland Art | Duffy Armstrong
The career path of an artist is unique. They’re self-taught, supplement their practice through residencies, workshops; study under a master, learn through a university; the options are plentiful. Timing of their commitment is another variable that provides definition to one’s journey.
Inland Art | Jan Brandt
I met Jan Brandt many years ago when her gallery and studio space was located at the historic Coca-Cola Bottling Plant on Bell Street in Bloomington. I was seeking a new gallery to visit beyond my typical stops in Peoria and an artist friend recommended the Jan Brandt Gallery.
20 Minutes with Kiley Moore of Wild Earp & the Free For Alls
NOW: With a big Howdy from Peoria, Illinois, I am so glad to begin this interview with Kiley Moore, a member of Wild Earp and the Free For Alls. They are scheduled to perform at the Contemporary Art Center on Friday, March 30, 5:30-7:30. As this is a band that is new...
20 Minutes with Brandon Thornton
Brandon Thornton is September’s featured poet for Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry, Contemporary Art Center’s very popular monthly poetry event. He was the original host and feature poet curator of the event, serving in that role from February 2011-2014....
An Interview with Jennifer Hall
CAC: Hi Jennifer. I was wondering if we could chat on-line for a bit about your performance on Friday, July 15, 5:30-7:30 at Live at the Five Spot, Contemporary Art Center's Friday night music event? JH: Hi! Let's do it. Ready to rock! CAC: First off, I want to say...
20 Minutes with Chris Holbrook
If you have ever strolled in through the rear entrance of the Contemporary Art Center, chances are you’ve met eyes with an aproned, serious-looking man quietly gouging away at metal plates. Perhaps he was lugging tubs of cloudy acid, or arrays of gleaming picks. These...
20 Minutes With Craig Stocks
If you're a central Illinois creative and don't know Craig Stocks, you should. The onetime engineer and lifelong photographer has been profiling Peorian artists, entertainers, chefs and the like for over two years on his outstanding personal blog, Playing Peoria. With...
20 Minutes With Clark Rians
NOW is thankful to sit down with local artistic dynamo Clark Rians, hot on the heels of his lauded run of Red at the Corn Stock Theater. An unforgettable excavation of Rothko’s inward character, the stage play Red depicts his struggle completing a series of paintings...
20 Minutes With Preston Jackson
For our first edition of 20 Minutes With, it seemed inevitable that we begin with our foremost resident artist and local Renaissance Man Preston Jackson. In addition to founding the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, Preston has been playing guitar, sculpting, and...