If you’ve traversed Peoria’s sidewalks lately, you might’ve stumbled across a patch of pavement, decked out with a hand-painted design. It’s part of a student-led public art project that highlights water conservation.
Michelle McClenton is hurrying down the sidewalk on West Main Street, toward a bus stop near the corner of Sheridan.
“I gotta go to Goodwill to get a job,” McClenton said. “Even though I woke up with the right state of mind and God on my mind, it’s so hard for people out here to get a job.”
But she says, her day took a turn when she came across a splash of color, spilling over from the sidewalk onto the storm drain below.
McClenton says the small diversion made her stop, think, and feel a little more positive about her day.
“People who see public art feel like it belongs to them, and that’s so important for a community,” Margaret LeJeune, associate professor of photography said.
LeJeune is leading a class of students in a course called, “art and the environment."
“Hearing the students talk about the works in meaningful ways was so delightful, and to hear the public talk about it like that is truly inspiring,” LeJeune said.
The painting on the storm drain is one of several public art projects underway in the downtown area.
The City of Peoria's Innovation Team and public works department coordinated with LeJeune on the planning and implementation of the paintings. The iTeam was established to addressPeoria's Combined Sewer Overflow issues.
The students' next art project involves four lawn installations, comprised of recycled materials, in the Uplands Neighborhood.
LeJeune says several students are interested in continuing the effort after the end of the semester.
The storm drain paintings can be found at the following intersections:
- Sheridan and Main St.
- SW Adams and Main St.
- Water and Liberty St.
- Underhill and College St. (on Bradley's Campus)