West Central Reporter

Peoria Art Guild issued the following announcement on Sept. 7

The Peoria Art Guild is proud to announce the 2021 Fine Art Fair to be held on the Peoria Riverfront in collaboration with the Peoria Park District on September 25-26, 2021. As one of the oldest fine art fairs in the country, the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair draws an anticipated attendance of 8,000 people each year. The fair is nationally recognized for its organization, volunteers, event marketing and, unlike most fairs, for putting artists' needs at the top of the priority list. When an art fair is located in the heart of the Midwest, in the middle of the state of Illinois, and 150 miles from a large metropolitan city, you work harder to retain the reputation – and our loyal board of directors, committee and sponsors are dedicated to that goal. The Fine Art Fair has also been published in the prestigious rankings of art fair rating sources. Most recently, it ranked #20 in the "Top 200 Fairs” by Sunshine Artist Magazine. It has retained the “Top 200” status for ten years in a row. The Fine Art Fair is not only the major art event in central Illinois, but is a popular community and family event that showcases quality art, music, food, and hands-on art activities for kids and adults. In celebration of the event the Murray Baker Bridge will be lit in bright rainbow colors for the week of the Fine Art Fair.

This year’s Fine Art Fair Emerging Artist is Hattie Lee. Hattie, originally from Fowler Kansas received her MFA at Bradley University, Peoria, IL in 2021. She now resides and works in Peoria. 

As a product of Cherokee, Scottish, Swiss-German, and other diaspora, Hattie, in the very makeup of her DNA, is a collage of cultures, values, histories, and personal aesthetics. She reacts by collaging materials from her ancestors, contemporary community, and personal life experiences. Graphic design, fine art, and fiber are all woven into her ancestral tapestry the same way she weaves in and out of mediums in her studio. Sometimes, literally weaving materials. 

She desires her art to open conversations and be a starting point to discussing tribes, Native Americans past and present, and the many nuances of being descended from Native cultures in a world growing increasingly diverse in numerous ways with every generation. This also includes her time in Southeast Asia and friendships she has made globally.

The Guild loved Hattie’s artwork so much we have also chosen her as our 2021 poster artist! This year’s t-shirts, posters and community mural will be designed around her colorful artwork.

We will again promote our “I Buy ARt” initiative at the Fair. “I BUY ART”  was launched in 2018 to reinforce a philosophy that the best way to support the arts is to buy art. I BUY ART buttons are sent across the United States to artists, art collectors, art advocacy organizations, and art buyers in an effort to advocate for artists and emphasize the importance of buying original art. Each person who purchases a piece of art at this year's fair will receive a button with their purchase. Over the years these buttons have become collectible by our fair patrons. The 2021 button color is bright blue.

“We are thrilled to encourage this initiative that promotes Peoria as a community that supports its artists. This will enhance our Fine Art Fair and city as a supportive art community that welcomes our guests and artists to come back another time and explore more of what Peoria has to offer. After a hard year in 2020 we feel our community is ready to support our artists and we can't wait to see all of you at the event” - Shannon Cox, Executive Director

We welcome you to enjoy an array of art including local artists from the Peoria area and across the country. Bring your kids and grandkids to the Kids’ Art Festival featuring make-and-take art projects. Participate in the Interactive Community Mural and enjoy great local food & beverages. There will be entertainment on CEFCU stage from many local performance organizations and musicians throughout the weekend. We  are also welcoming many buskers to perform throughout the fair this year.

Opening the fair at 9:45 a.m.on Saturday will be a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Peoria Chamber of Commerce followed by a drum line performance from the Manual High school Drumline to celebrate our 59th year.

LOCATION:

RIVERFRONT FESTIVAL PARK

200 NE WATER STREET

PEORIA, IL

FREE PARKING

TICKETS ARE $6 PRE-SALE & $8 AT THE EVENT

CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE

PURCHASE TICKETS AT WWW.PEORIAARTGUILD.ORG

PEORIA ART GUILD MEMBERS FREE

*We will do all that is required to keep our patrons safe under the current recommended guidelines from the CDC. There will be hand sanitizing stations throughout the fair and artists and patrons are welcome to wear masks as needed. The Fine Art Fair is an outdoor event and we ask our visitors to be conscious of the personal space of others while shopping throughout the weekend.

Find more about volunteering, ticket purchases and membership opportunities on our website: www.peoriaartguild.org