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Portraits 2023

Mae Gilliland Wright

Host

Mae Gilliland Wright is the host of WCBU's Out & About. She joined the station in this role in 2023.

  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: Megan Scott, executive director of the Peoria Art Guild. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “ART TAKES THE RIVERFRONT” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Megan Scott, Peoria Art Guild.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    64th annual Fine Art Fair returns Sept. 26 and 27 to the Peoria Riverfront
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Megan Scott, executive director of the Peoria Art Guild, about the 64th annual Fine Art Fair, returning Sept. 26 and 27 to the Peoria Riverfront. More than 100 artists from 13 states and three countries will showcase painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, printmaking, glass, and more, alongside local emerging artists.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: Amy McCoy, executive director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “MARIGOLD WEEKEND RETURNS TO PEKIN” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Amy McCoy, Pekin Chamber of Commerce.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    Pekin Marigold Festival taking place Sept. 9-13 at Mineral Springs Park
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Amy McCoy, executive director of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce, about the 2026 Pekin Marigold Festival, taking place Sept. 9 through the 13. The event began as an art show over half a century ago, and today Art in the Park continues that creative tradition with more than 230 vendors offering handmade and homemade work ranging from painting and writing to woodworking and other crafts.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: Mengrong Taylor, chair of the Peoria Chinese Association and an educator at Illinois Central College. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “DRAGONS ON THE RIVERFRONT” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Mengrong Taylor, Peoria Chinese Association.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    Peoria Dragon Boat Race coming to the Peoria Riverfront Sept. 13
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Mengrong Taylor, chair of the Peoria Chinese Association, about the Peoria Dragon Boat Race on Sept. 13 at the Peoria Riverfront. The celebration offers visitors a chance to experience Chinese traditions while exploring the connections between art, culture, teamwork and community.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: Jennifer Brady, co-founder of the Peoria Area Repair Cafe. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “THE ART OF REPAIR” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Jennifer Brady, Peoria Café.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    Peoria Area Repair Café coming to River City Labs Sept. 12
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Jennifer Brady, co-founder of the Peoria Area Repair Café, about its next free event on Sept. 12 at River City Labs.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: David Commanday, Artistic Director and Conductor of the Heartland Festival Orchestra. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “SETTING THE STAGE” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring David Commanday, Heartland Festival Orchestra.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    Heartland Festival Orchestra opens new season Sept. 11 in Washington
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week's episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with David Commanday, artistic director and conductor of the Heartland Festival Orchestra, about the HFO’s upcoming season, opening Sept. 11 at Crossroads Global Methodist Church in Washington.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: Joyce Blank of Gems of the Prairie Quilters. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “GEMS OF THE PRARIE QUILT SHOW 2026” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Joyce Blank, Threads That Connect.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    Gems of the Prairie Quilters present annual quilt show Aug. 22 and 23
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Joyce Blank of Gems of the Prairie Quilters about the group’s annual quilt show, taking place Aug. 22 and 23 at the Life Together Center in Peoria.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest: performer, songwriter and historian Barry Cloyd. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “FROM WOODSTOCK TO TODAY” with an underlying smaller text that reads “featuring Barry Cloyd.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    For What It’s Worth: A Tribute to Stephen Stills in Song & Story, coming Aug. 22
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Barry Cloyd about For What It’s Worth: A Tribute to Stephen Stills in Song & Story, coming Aug. 22 to the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria. Blending live music with storytelling, the multimedia performance traces Stills’ career through Buffalo Springfield, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and his solo work.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest Rhonda Ossola Parker of the Italian American Society. The image features an all-capitalized text headline that reads “A TASTE OF ITALY” with an underlying smaller text that reads “Rhonda Ossola Parker of the Italian American Society.” The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right-hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left-hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    Annual Summer Festa Picnic coming to Hickory Grove Park
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Rhonda Ossola Parker of the Italian American Society about the annual Summer Festa Picnic on Aug. 9 at Hickory Grove Park. Celebrating its 95th year, the family-friendly event features authentic Italian food, live music, artisan vendors, bocce, spaghetti-eating contests and a special tribute to the 100th anniversary of Agatucci's Restaurant.
  • The image features a photo of this episode’s guest Roseanne Urbanc, president of Chillicothe Players Theatre and director of The Great Gatsby. The image features an all capitalized text headline that reads “GATSBY ON STAGE” with an underlying smaller text that reads “Featuring Roseanne Urbanc.”, The graphic artwork also features an icon of the podcast’s sponsor PNC Bank in the center with the WCBU and NPR logos in the left-hand corner. In the bottom right hand corner are icons of the various podcast platforms where the Out and About podcast can be streamed/downloaded. In the bottom left hand corner is Out and About spelled out in large, white graphic letters.
    Chillicothe Players Theatre presents 'The Great Gatsby'
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Roseanne Urbanc of Chillicothe Players Theatre about their upcoming production of "The Great Gatsby."
  • Gratus Choral Ensemble presents The Lost Birds
    Mae Gilliland Wright
    On this week’s episode of Out and About, Mae Gilliland of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois talks with Cory Boulton of Bradley University about The Lost Birds, a powerful choral work presented by the Gratus Choral Ensemble on July 26 at First Federated Church at 4 p.m.