The Peoria Art Guild will host the 46th Annual Fine Art Fair. Nationally recognized as one of the top fairs in the country, the Fine Art Fair is the largest community event on Peoria’s Riverfront with an anticipated audience of 40,000.
“The Fine Art Fair is not just an art event in central Illinois, but it has developed into a major community and family event,” said Co-chair Kim Armstrong. “You don’t have to love art to attend our Fine Art Fair. We encourage everyone to come see the art, enjoy the hourly musical performances and participate in the evolving community mural depicting this year’s poster image.”
“You can spend the day or spend the weekend on Peoria’s picturesque riverfront,” said Co-chair Cathi Hawkinson. “This is the Guild’s major fundraiser of the year and we’ve worked hard to make it is a ‘must see’ community event.”
Admission is $5 for the entire weekend; 16 years and under are free. The admission is good for $5 off at The Peoria Art Guild tent on purchases of $20 or more; and can be applied towards Art Guild classes, membership, or the purchase of $20 or more in the Gallery Store through 12/24/2008.
EARLY ENTRY FOR MEMBERS
September 27
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Peoria Art Guild members will be allowed to enter the Fine Art Fair to purchase art one hour prior to the 'official' opening on Saturday (only) from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Advance passes to this "members only" event are mailed to existing Art Guild members prior to the Art Fair. Not a member? Sign-up for memberships will be available at the gate on Saturday morning for non-members, or you can call the Art Guild in advance at 309-637-2787.
ARTISTS
150 fine art fair artists from across the United States will exhibit and sell works of art in jewelry, painting, photography, ceramics, wood, glass, mixed media, metal and fiber. All artwork is original and has been created by the exhibiting artist. In April, a panel of six art professionals and two collectors judged all the entries via the Guild new digital judging process; over 700 applications were submitted. Through an extensive rating process, 120 artists were invited to exhibit at the Fair along with 30 artists who were invited to attend as past award winners. This year, 54 artists will be new to the Peoria art fair.
ARTIST SELECTION
Artists from around the country submitted their art images for the Fine Art Fair through Juried Art Services (JAS), a computerized service specializing in art fair artist application and selection. The service provides an artist an easier way to fill out the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair application form and upload their art images via their computers. The digital service also provides a computer-generated judging process. For the first time, six art professionals and an art collector were able to judge each artist’s work from their computers instead of judging the artists from the antiquated slide process. Each artist was scored on the basis of five computer-generated images which then were automatically tallied and listed in score order. Those artists who receive the top scores were invited to exhibit in the 2008 Fine Art Fair. Approximately 700 artists applied for 150 available exhibit spaces at the Fair, making it one of the most competitive jury processes to date. This year’s accepted artists represent 23 states, including 33 artists from Illinois. Judges for the 2008 Fine Art Fair were Matt Urban, MFA, Illinois State University; Chris Wille, MFA; Melissa Pokorny, Asst.Professor, University of Illinois; Dick Codding, 2007 award winner; Paul Eshelman, 2007 award winner; Sharon Pikron, 2007 award winner; and Andrew Muir, art collector.
KIDS ART FESTIVAL
10:00am – 5:00pm both days
This fun-filled area is where creativity meets quick “make ‘n take” art projects for kids. All the art activities are different from last year so if you are a kid, it’s a must to come to the Kids Art Festival and try out the new art experience. A majority of the projects require either one or two tickets, and they include out-of-the-ordinary origami, whimsical whirly-gigs, U-2-can-design-your-own-tile, crazy clay creations, amazingly-abstract watercolor and anything-is-possible puppets. Kids can design their own T-shirt or have their face painted for additional tickets. The mystery drawing project is free and a good way to be a part of the excitement. All proceeds from the art projects benefit art education programs at the Guild.
INTERACTIVE COMMUNITY MURAL
Sponsored by Muir Omni Graphics
Last year, the Peoria Art Guild created the Interactive Community Mural which was an 8’ x 8’ version of the Fine Art Fair poster image. The hands-on art activity for adults was a huge success with more than 500 people participating. This year, the Interactive Community Mural will be Peoria’s version of the poster art, Gothic in Peoria, by Iowa artist Chris Vance. The image is a depiction of the American Gothic and is a free art project for anyone who wants to test their painting skills. Here’s how it works: You will be given a blank (and numbered) 6” x 6” square tile, paint brush, and a 6” x 6” paper image of what you are to paint on the tile. You are now the artist, so paint your tile – with the image as your guide – using your own creative interpretation. Once tile is painted, it will be placed (according to its number) on a large frame located near the music stage. When all of the 255 tiles are completed, the work of art will take on a life of its own. It will take hundreds of people to participate in this fun, hands-on art activity -- and everyone attending the Fair can watch as this community mural literally comes together piece-by-piece over the Fine Art Fair weekend.
HOURLY MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
The Art Fair also supports the performing arts with free hourly jazz, blues and gospel performances on the Music stage located in the heart of the Fair. A majority of the performers are local and are among the best in central Illinois. Daily performance schedule follows:
Saturday, September 27
10:00-11:15 a.m. St. Paul Baptist Church Choir
12:00-1:45 p.m. Central Illinois Jazz Orchestra
2:30-3:15 p.m. Bradley Jazz Ensemble
3:45-5:00 p.m. Acoustic Conundrum
Sunday, September 28
10:00-11:30 a.m. Beyond Yonder
12:00-1:30 p.m. Two Dudes
2:15-3:00 p.m. Peoria Jazz All-Stars
3:45-5:00 p.m. Peoria Pops Orchestra
Palate Pleasers
Local vendors are carefully selected to serve food and beverage at the Fair including Echo Valley Meats & Catering, Nick-n-Willy’s, Spotted Cow, A Catered Affair, Butcher Block and Brewer’s Distributing. A variety of beer and wine will be available.
Echo Valley Meats
Beef Brisket, BBQ Pork and Pork Chop sandwiches, Cranberry Salad on a Croissant and Stuffed Pork Loin
Nick-N-Willy’s
Aegean Pizza and Cheese and Pepperoni Pizza
Spotted Cow
Red Beans & Rice, Pretzels, Cookies and Ice Cream
A Catered Affair
Blended Coffees, Fruit Smoothies, Blended Green Tea, Kids Slushies, Muffins and Cookies
Butcher Block
Italian Beef Sandwiches, Nachos Supreme and Hot Dogs
PREVIEW PARTY
Friday, September 26, 7-10 pm., Peoria Art Guild
Tickets: $75 each.
It’s not just a ticket to a really good party, but a ticket to a better education for young, talented, art students. Preview Party proceeds, including the raffle of the 2008 featured piece “Peoria Gothic”, will support the Mentor Apprentice Program (the Art Guild’s signature community outreach program), and other Art Guild programs. Fabulous hors d’oeuvres from Echo Valley Catering and great wines from Super Liquors are just added bonuses. The original poster art, Gothic in Peoria, by Chris Vance, will be raffled at the Fine Art Fair Preview Party. Raffle tickets will be $20 each or six for $100 and can be purchased at the Peoria Art Guild or at the event. Attire is denim, of course. Call 309.637.2787 for Preview Party tickets or for more information.
Underwriting by:
Lindsay Ma M.D., Obstetrics and Gynecology
Co-chairs: Kathy & Lindsay Ma
Jim & Connie Barr
Featured Poster Artist
Iowa Artist Chris Vance
Chris Vance was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Iowa State University in 2000 and was selected as the University’s Art and Design Graduate of the Year. Chris is a prolific painter, producing work that feeds his inner vision. He transforms canvasses, paints, wood and other material into a vast representation of his creative soul. Chris’ infectious delight in artistic discovery reflects a deep appreciation for the power of art in a person’s life. Chris has participated in many high-profile shows, including the Des Moines Art Festival, Art Fair at Laumeier (St Louis), Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair, Uptown Art Fair (Minneapolis), Omaha Summer Arts Festival and Artsplash (Sioux City), winning awards ranging from award of excellence to best in show. He has also been featured in articles in The Artist’s Magazine, Juice Magazine and the Des Moines Register. He currently shows his work at Moberg Gallery (Des Moines), The Niche (Omaha), Outside the Lines (Dubuque), Poppy Gallery (Columbia), and Warp and Weft (Sioux Falls).
Chris has many interests outside of his artwork, including spending quality time with his wife and four children. Together they enjoy family activities such as bike riding, roller-skating and excursions to the park.
Chris Vance’s original poster art, Gothic in Peoria, will be raffled at the Fine Art Fair Preview Party on Friday, September 26th at the Peoria Art Guild. Raffle tickets will be $20 each or six for $100 and can be purchased at the Peoria Art Guild. You can meet Chris Vance at the Fine Art Fair at booth #16.
For more information on the Fine Art Fair or for volunteer opportunities, call 309-637-2787.
The Peoria Art Guild, one of the nation’s oldest visual arts organizations, exists to serve the community and artists through the exhibition and sale of contemporary artwork, to provide education and to promote appreciation of the visual arts. The Peoria Art Guild provides the community with art exhibits, art classes, original artwork for purchase or rent, and other special events such as the Fine Art Fair. Programs are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
