Year-long exhibit enhancing Peoria’s art community<\/p>\n
By: Savannah Jones<\/p>\n
On the Peoria Sculpture Walk, art isn\u2019t only observed but interacted with and brought to life. Sponsored by the Peoria Riverfront Museum, visitors are encouraged to feel and add their own interpretation to the sculptures lining Southwest Water Street in downtown Peoria. While art lovers can take a self-guided tour during the weekdays, the Saturday morning and afternoon tours led by museum staff create an energetic environment opening the local Peoria art world to a wider audience.<\/p>\n
Tour guides Robin Thomas, John and Jeff Heintzman start their morning with a cup of coffee in the Riverfront Museum lobby as they wait for their next Sculpture Walk to begin. With their lighthearted jokes and surplus of art knowledge, they welcome people of all ages and backgrounds to join the tour.<\/p>\n
\u201cPublic art takes out any economic or social barriers,\u201d Thomas said. \u201cWho knows what that is going to spark in someone\u2019s brain?\u201d<\/p>\n
The Sculpture Walk was a dream in 2008 with funds scarce due to the poor economy but seven years later The Peoria Sculpture Walk is a reality. Through federal grants and private donations, the Sculpture Walk opened last June with 15 sculptures specifically created for it. The sculptures\u2019 subjects and styles all vary.<\/p>\n
Some sculptures are minimal such as at the first stop on the tour. Jason Verbeek\u2019s \u201cLiving Sculpture\u201d is sleek stainless steel with a flowering plant known as sedum peeking out from inside the sculpture. Others, such as Nicole Beck\u2019s \u201cFoxglove and Fists,\u201d are more complex. Beck\u2019s sculpture incorporates bright neon colors and mosaics to represent the struggle between nature and society.<\/p>\n
Peoria will say goodbye to the 15 sculptures after a Peoria Riverfront Museum panel selects new art work to exhibit in June. The Heintzmans and Thomas know the statues like old friends and agree The Peoria Sculpture Walk has become part of Peoria\u2019s identity while making art more accessible to the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt opens up opportunities to see decent art. This is good art,\u201d Jeff Heintzmen said. \u201cOur arts do more than entertain us in the moment. It shows a different quality of life and enriches communication between people and cultures.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Peoria Sculpture Walk starts at 10 a.m. and noon on Saturdays at The Peoria Riverfront Museum. The event is free. For more information, email sculpturewalkpeoria@gmail.com or view the interactive map of the walk below.<\/p>\n