Chris Holbrook was one of Peoria’s most original, unique and prolific artists. Sadly he died in 2018, but his artwork lives on and proof of that is an exhibit of his artwork currently on display at Peoria Riverfront Museum.
“Chris Holbrook - Currency Series - 1999-2018 went on display last month and I went and took photos of it for a post here on MBIP.
Last week they had the official dedication for the exhibit and below are photos and text from that glorious day.
Here we are at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in beautiful downtown Peoria.
Let’s go inside because it’s freezing out here!
I love the giant blue planet hanging from the ceiling that greets you as you enter the lobby area!
Every time I see it I always wonder if it’s filled with malted milk balls like some sort of a sweet piñata just waiting to be burst open and then I question my sanity seconds after thinking this thought. Let’s just move along here.
Chris’ exhibit is displayed in the front hallway down here.
There it is, Chirs Holbrook - Currency Series 1999-2018. For a more detailed look at Chris’ artwork on display, click right here for my previous post from last month.
Some people have started arriving for the dedication, let’s go say hi and bother them with the MBIP Camera.
There’s Bill Conger, Chief Curator here at Peoria Riverfront Museum. He said he’s very happy that Chris’ artwork is on display here at the museum.
Next I said hi to Paul Berres and Ted Wahlfeld.
Paul and I went to high school with Chris and Paul is the owner of Born Paint Company. Ted owns The Mill, which is where Chris’ artwork is currently stored.
There’s another person from Chris’ high school past, Jeff “Moon” Stokowski. Moon, Paul and I had a mini high school reunion in honor of Chris and this special day. Great to see both of them!
It’s great to see Susanne Nestory here! Susanne is an Instructor of Art at Bradley University and was Chris’ partner for years. She’s going to be sharing her thoughts about this exhibit and Chris and his artwork today at the dedication.
Speaking of the dedication, it’s just about to start!
Bill Conger started the dedication off with some nice words about Chris and then he introduced…
Zac Zetterberg, who’s the Curator of Art here at the museum.
Chris was an art teacher at Bradley and that’s where Zac met him and he spoke about their personal friendship and how Chris was such an influence on himself and so many other young artists in Peoria.
Susanne Nestory was the final speaker for the dedication.
Susanne talked about Chris and shared a story about how a film about the Barnum and Bailey traveling circus that she and Chris saw at the Apollo Theatre influenced some of the art in this show.
Susanne shared some nice and thoughtful personal insights into Chris and his artwork.
Susanne and Zac shared the news that the Peoria Riverfront Museum is accepting Chris’ artwork into its permanent collection, which is fantastic news!
I look forward to future shows featuring the art of one of Peoria’s most original and unique artists, Chris Holbrook.
“Chris Holbrook - Currency - 1999-2018” is on display until this summer, so stop by and check out this wonderful and original artwork at The Peoria Riverfront Museum.
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222 SW Washington Street
Peoria
309-686-7000
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Related Posts: Chris Holbrook Currency Series: 1999-2018, Chris Holbrook: His Own Private Circus and Christopher Holbrook Unique Impressions.