A new city-sponsored public art initiative aims to brighten up many of Peoria’s light posts and traffic cabinets.
The “Banners and Boxes” beautification program features submissions from 21 local artists displayed throughout downtown, the Warehouse District and Sheridan Village.
“It’s an exciting program to be a part of. I get to see my art all over the city, and that’s pretty cool,” said Jeremy Berkley, one of two artists whose work was chosen for both a banner and a box.
“I was thrilled. If I was going to be selected once, I’d be super happy, but two — I was kind of blown away.”
Stacy Peterson, Peoria’s strategic communications manager who serves as the staff liaison to the Public Arts Advisory Commission, said the city began seeking submissions in February and received more than 130 entries.
Each of the selected submissions appears on five banners or boxes.
“We’ve had a number of projects we’ve been involved with,” said Public Arts Advisory Commission chair Richard Zuckerman. “There’s the sculpture walk, and we’ve been involved with the murals that are on some of the buildings.
“Now, I think this the current project, the ‘Banners and Boxes,’ is probably the largest project that the public arts commission has been involved in over the last 10 years of its existence.”
The city funded the beautification program with $50,000 in remaining American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] funds. Each selected artist received a $500 honorarium, while other costs included creating the vinyl wraps and banners and installation.
“It’s important to note that this initiative isn’t just about putting art on a few banners or boxes. It’s about building a city that feels alive at every corner,” said Peterson.
The all-ages program includes participants who either reside or have an art studio in Peoria. Many of the artists chosen for the initiative attended Friday’s kickoff event at City Hall.
“Public art has the power to transform our city,” said City Manager Patrick Urich, speaking on behalf of Mayor Rita Ali, who was unable to attend. “It enhances our public spaces, makes them more vibrant and inviting. It fosters social interaction, giving neighbors a reason to come together and connect. It can even boost our local economy by attracting visitors and encouraging people to explore our city.
“But the benefits of public art go even deeper. It reflects who we are as a community, our history, our values, our culture. It creates a sense of pride and ownership in the place that we share. It encourages dialogue, inspires creativity and reminds us that our city is a living, breathing canvas.”
District 2 City Council member Alex Carmona, himself a working artist, applauded the initiative as an opportunity to “enjoy our environment in a different way.”
“It’s good to get art up because it moves people’s emotions in ways that they may not understand,” said Carmona. “When somebody drives by a city and they see a piece of public art, it gets them to slow down, to think about different things, you know, maybe even pull over.
“I think that it says that we are forward thinking, that we are open to creativity, and that we as a city want to support everybody around here.”
The vinyl wraps on the traffic cabinets are expected to last about three years. The light post banners will remain on display until winter, then stored through the season before being remounted in the spring.
Residents can view the artwork and learn more about the artists in an online gallery posted on the city’s website.
“I think it’s awesome, where we get this chance to really pay some tribute to local artists and get our work seen around the city,” said Berkley.
