PEORIA, IL -- This will be interesting:
Join us this Saturday, June 12 at 10:00 AM. If you want to look back at our City’s past and some of the people who put Peoria on the map, look no further than the corner of Main and Adams Streets in downtown Peoria. Big Picture Peoria and Discover Peoria, with the support of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, are proud to launch Portraits of Peoria—a series of large-scale portrait installations created by local artists. We will dedicate the first two portraits this coming weekend, and are delighted to announce that Peoria’s newly elected Mayor Rita Ali will be the featured speaker.
The first two portraits in a series of upcoming murals feature two Peorians who were both focused on education, equality, and breaking down barriers—Dr. Romeo B. Garrett and Betty Friedan.
Joining Mayor Ali will be Big Picture’s Executive Director Mae Gilliland Wright, Discover Peoria’s President/CEO J.D. Dalfonso, Dr. Romeo B Garrett portrait artist Kevin J Bradford, Big Picture’s co-founder Doug Leunig, and Big Picture intern and recent Richwoods High School graduate Trent Miles. Guitarist Chris Stevens will provide music before the event, and all attendees are invited to go to The Nut House on Main Street afterwards for a complimentary bag of chocolate.
About the Artists:
Dr. Romeo B Garrett portrait artist, Kevin J Bradford: Bradford is a traditional artist and self-taught digital artist located in Peoria. His experience in pen, color pencils, watercolor, and oil paint spans over 15 years. Bradford is a member of the Peoria Guild of Black Artists.
Betty Friedan portrait artist, Eliza von Zerneck: Von Zerneck is a freelance illustrator and designer based in Peoria. She has a BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design. Like Friedan, she has roots in both Peoria and New York City. Von Zerneck often explores subjects of gender and domesticity, with a focus on female portraiture. - 30 -
Joining Mayor Ali will be Big Picture’s Executive Director Mae Gilliland Wright, Discover Peoria’s President/CEO J.D. Dalfonso, Dr. Romeo B Garrett portrait artist Kevin J Bradford, Big Picture’s co-founder Doug Leunig, and Big Picture intern and recent Richwoods High School graduate Trent Miles. Guitarist Chris Stevens will provide music before the event, and all attendees are invited to go to The Nut House on Main Street afterwards for a complimentary bag of chocolate.
About the Artists:
Dr. Romeo B Garrett portrait artist, Kevin J Bradford: Bradford is a traditional artist and self-taught digital artist located in Peoria. His experience in pen, color pencils, watercolor, and oil paint spans over 15 years. Bradford is a member of the Peoria Guild of Black Artists.
Betty Friedan portrait artist, Eliza von Zerneck: Von Zerneck is a freelance illustrator and designer based in Peoria. She has a BFA in illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design. Like Friedan, she has roots in both Peoria and New York City. Von Zerneck often explores subjects of gender and domesticity, with a focus on female portraiture. - 30 -
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