PEORIA, Ill – The City of Peoria has unveiled its newest beautification initiative, designed to showcast local art.
The Banners and Boxes program highlights the work of 21 local artists and are displayed on traffic light banners and traffic control boxes.
Photo: 1470 & 100.3 WMBD/Ed Hammond
They are located in downtown Peoria, the Warehouse District and Sheridan Village.
The program was open to all ages and all featured artists who reside in or have a studio in Peoria.
Stacy Peterson, Strategic Communications Manager and Staff Liaison to the Public Arts Advisory Commission, said call went out to local artists for applications and they could submit applications.
More than 130 pieces of art were submitted to the Public Arts Advisory Commission, the members of which oversaw the process.
“This initiative showcases some of the incredible talent we have in Peoria white utilizing our public infrastructure in a unique way,” Peterson said in a news release. “The Banners and Boxes Beautification Program is about more than beautification. It’s about weaving art into the daily life of our city, so it becomes part of the way people experience Peoria.”
Participating artists received an honorarium for their display. The program was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Existing street light infrastructure is used for the banners and the metal traffic control boxes are wrapped in vinyl images of the artwork.
The vinyl wraps are expected to last three years, while the banners will be on display until winter, when they will be stored and then displayed again next spring.
An online gallery is available to see the artwork and learn more about the artists HERE.
Comments