City of Peoria, IL
09/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/10/2024 11:40
City of Peoria, Big Picture Peoria Dedicate New Mural
September 10, 2024 (PEORIA, IL) The city of Peoria and Big Picture Peoria dedicated a new mural on the Niagara Parking Deck, 111 SW Adams Street. Speakers at today's event included Peoria Mayor Rita Ali, Mark Misselhorn Vice President of the Big Picture Peoria board, Gilmore Foundation President Laura Cullinan, and Community Foundation of Central Illinois CEO Mark Roberts. The event was held downtown at the OSF HealthCare System building.
In her comments, Mayor Ali stated, "Public art has the unique ability to transform spaces and inspire us in our daily lives. It's a reminder that beauty can be found in unexpected places-even parking decks--and that our public spaces belong to everyone."
Featuring the word "Peoria," along with the faces of six community members from the Peoria area, the 32-feet-tall and 35-feet-wide piece is titled "Live Greater." It was created by Alex Carmona, a master relief printmaker who specializes in woodcuts, reduction woodcuts, and wood carvings/engravings. The mural was underwritten with funds from the Gilmore Foundation, Community Foundation of Central Illinois, and Tourism Reserve Funds from the city of Peoria.
Big Picture Peoria has presented other projects in Peoria, including Abraham Blue, the 50-foot mural on the side of the Peoria County Courthouse, Portraits of Peoria, on the Main Street side of the Peoria Public Library downtown location, and the "Find Yourself" mural at Metro Center. This fall they will host The Big Picture Film Festival on November 23 at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
The project received final approval for a special use permit by the Peoria City Council on August 27 following a recommendation by the Planning and Zoning Commission and a review from the Public Arts Advisory Commission.
Subjects of the mural are as follows:
P=Edgar Sandoval
E=John Parks
O=Lynette Fernandes
R=Ben Davison
I=Alessandra Carmona
A=Divine Sarfo