It's our 62nd year of bringing original art to Central Illinois and we want you to be a part of the celebration! As one of the oldest art organizations in the country, the Peoria Art Guild Fine Art Fair is nationally recognized.

Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 4 pm
ADMISSION
$10 per person per day.
Children 12 years and under free
Free passes for members!
Not a member? Join here- https://www.peoriaartguild.org/membership

Join us for a weekend of creative fun. Experience art from 130 juried fine artists on Peoria's Riverfront. Participate in the interactive community mural. Bring your children to the Kid's Art Festival where they can create their own masterpieces. Food, beer and wine stations will be set up throughout the fair.

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/288908033916620

Skill building classes which meet once a week.  Learn the basics of or improve your skills hand-building and wheel throwing pottery , as well as how to finish through glazing your work.

Instructor: Jacob Grant
No Experience Necessary.
Ages 18+.  
For Beginning students and Beyond Beginners: Intermediate and Expert levels require taking several classes at the Beyond Beginning level or several hours (500+) of independent work time.  
Registration cost is $190. This covers tuition and two 5lb bags of Red Stoneware Clay to begin the class.  If you need more, it can be purchased as needed.  
Everyone will need to have their own tools for the class.  If you do not have tools, there is a $20 add on option to purchase them through us.
All glaze and firing costs are included in the cost of the clay you purchase.  
When pottery is finished, it is food-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave safe.

After you fill out and return the form, your application will be reviewed, along with availability in the class.  If there is not room, you will recieve an email that you have been placed on a wait list and will be notified as soon as a spot come available.  

If there is room in the class, you will be notified by email and you will also receive an invoice via email, which you can pay online with card.

To register: https://sites.google.com/site/wheelartpotterystudio/classes/adult-clay-classes

Skill building classes which meet once a week.  Learn the basics of or improve your skills hand-building and wheel throwing pottery , as well as how to finish through glazing your work.

Instructor: Jacob Grant
No Experience Necessary.
Ages 18+.  
For Beginning students and Beyond Beginners: Intermediate and Expert levels require taking several classes at the Beyond Beginning level or several hours (500+) of independent work time.  
Registration cost is $190. This covers tuition and two 5lb bags of Red Stoneware Clay to begin the class.  If you need more, it can be purchased as needed.  
Everyone will need to have their own tools for the class.  If you do not have tools, there is a $20 add on option to purchase them through us.
All glaze and firing costs are included in the cost of the clay you purchase.  
When pottery is finished, it is food-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave safe.

After you fill out and return the form, your application will be reviewed, along with availability in the class.  If there is not room, you will recieve an email that you have been placed on a wait list and will be notified as soon as a spot come available.  

If there is room in the class, you will be notified by email and you will also receive an invoice via email, which you can pay online with card.

To register: https://sites.google.com/site/wheelartpotterystudio/classes/adult-clay-classes

kill building classes which meet once a week.  Learn the basics of or improve your skills hand-building and wheel throwing pottery , as well as how to finish through glazing your work.

Instructor: Jacob Grant
No Experience Necessary.
Ages 18+.  
For Beginning students and Beyond Beginners: Intermediate and Expert levels require taking several classes at the Beyond Beginning level or several hours (500+) of independent work time.  
Registration cost is $190. This covers tuition and two 5lb bags of Red Stoneware Clay to begin the class.  If you need more, it can be purchased as needed.  
Everyone will need to have their own tools for the class.  If you do not have tools, there is a $20 add on option to purchase them through us.
All glaze and firing costs are included in the cost of the clay you purchase.  
When pottery is finished, it is food-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave safe.

After you fill out and return the form, your application will be reviewed, along with availability in the class.  If there is not room, you will recieve an email that you have been placed on a wait list and will be notified as soon as a spot come available.  

If there is room in the class, you will be notified by email and you will also receive an invoice via email, which you can pay online with card.

To register: https://sites.google.com/site/wheelartpotterystudio/classes/adult-clay-classes

Skill building classes which meet once a week.  Learn the basics of or improve your skills hand-building and wheel throwing pottery , as well as how to finish through glazing your work.

Instructor: Jacob Grant
No Experience Necessary.
Ages 18+.  
For Beginning students and Beyond Beginners: Intermediate and Expert levels require taking several classes at the Beyond Beginning level or several hours (500+) of independent work time.  
Registration cost is $190. This covers tuition and two 5lb bags of Red Stoneware Clay to begin the class.  If you need more, it can be purchased as needed.  
Everyone will need to have their own tools for the class.  If you do not have tools, there is a $20 add on option to purchase them through us.
All glaze and firing costs are included in the cost of the clay you purchase.  
When pottery is finished, it is food-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave safe.

After you fill out and return the form, your application will be reviewed, along with availability in the class.  If there is not room, you will recieve an email that you have been placed on a wait list and will be notified as soon as a spot come available.  

If there is room in the class, you will be notified by email and you will also receive an invoice via email, which you can pay online with card.

To register: https://sites.google.com/site/wheelartpotterystudio/classes/adult-clay-classes

Every Thursday Open House from 10AM - 2PM. Private Tours are available for small groups by appointments. For questions, private tours and special event rentals contact the Peoria Historical Society Office 309-674-1921.

The Pettengill-Morron House has celebrated 150 years! When you visit lean about all of the owners, stories of abolitionists and the underground railroad, what famous actor was married in the home and other stories of Peoria's past along with unique collection of pieces. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned by the Peoria Historical Society.

 

For more info: https://www.peoriahistoricalsociety.com/events

hese classes offer kids, ages 5-17, the chance to explore and build skill, learning different hand-building techniques and how to throw on the potter's wheel. They also learn how to finish work through different glazing techniques.  

Instructors Jacob Grant and Kyla Cadwell co-teach this course.  

Jacob started Wheel Art Pottery Studio in 2010. He has 25 years of experience working in clay, an M.F.A. in Ceramics from Bradley University, and 20 years of experience teaching ceramics.  He began teaching pottery to homeschool children at The Peoria Art Guild in 2005.

Kyla is a working artist with 15 years of experience in art education. She has taught art to children in many settings, including Montessori School of Peoria, Peoria Lakeview Museum, the 21st Century Program, Cornerstone Academy of Performing Arts and most recently at Wheel Art Pottery Studios.

Jacob and Kyla share a teaching philosophy that creativity is best learned through independent experimentation/trial and error.

Their teaching process involves detailed lectures on materials used in ceramics, the firing process, and its historic and technological impact on human civilization. Demonstrations are given of techniques on how to manipulate clay through hand-building and wheel-throwing methods to create a variety of functional and sculptural forms. Children are then allowed to "play in the clay." They are encouraged to fail and learn through their failures. Students will be instructed on being responsible for their workspace and tools, and mindful of the materials they use.

Wheel-thrown Projects: Students are instructed on the basics of creating pots on a pottery wheel.  They are then given opportunity to spin clay (throw) by themselves, while instructors are only observing.  After working on the wheel independently for a period of time, instructors will give assistance and more instruction, as needed.

Hand-building Projects: Students will learn pinch-pot, and slab techniques for the upcoming fall session.  Focus on fall-time creations: slab-built leaf trays, pinch-pot pumpkins (can be carved decoratively like jack-o-lanterns), and slab spiders (used from carving patterns of their hands).

Students learn to finish their own pieces by applying glaze, underglaze, and/or other ceramic mediums before they go into a kiln and fire on for a permanent finish.

Children in both classes follow individual paths in clay. With guidance from the instructor, they are allowed to develop their own unique voice in clay. 

All kid's classes work with stoneware clay and glazes that are food-safe, water-tight, oven-proof, microwave/dishwasher-safe.

No experience necessary

Ages 5-17

$165/student, includes materials & firings

Next Session: 7 Consecutive Thursdays, August 29-October 10, 4:30-6pm

To register: https://sites.google.com/site/wheelartpotterystudio/classes/kid-s-clay-classes

Come knit with friends at The Fiber Universe

Every Thursday night from 6:00-8:00pm

For more details: https://www.thefiberuniverse.com/module/events.htm?year=2024&month=Sep&day=26&eventId=3879099

Whisper & Shout: Open Mic for Poetry
Thursday, October 3~ 8:00 - 10:00 pm

When checking in at the door, be prepared to share your table and seat number.

Tickets in Advance Online: $5-members, $8-nonmembers, $3-poets + fees (till 6pm day of event)
If an event is not sold out, tickets will also be sold at the door.
Tickets at the door*: $9-members, $12-nonmembers, $5-poets
(*No money will be taken at the door unless we don’t reach our max capacity)

*Please note that purchasing a Poet Ticket is a commitment to share your poetry on stage. If you don't plan to read, then don't purchase a poet level ticket.

Water and Pop for $1.00 is offered at the bar.
Attendees may bring their own food and drink or bring in food and drink from the Rhythm Kitchen.

Experience a diverse open mic with artists from all backgrounds in a positive and inspiring atmosphere. 
Peoria’s Open Mic for Poetry is held on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month. 
Hosts: Ryan Lowry and Whitney Jensen with DJ YV

Featured Poet: Jeronimo Speaks
Jeronimo Speaks was born and raised in the inner-city projects of Chicago. It was there that Jeronimo was introduced to freestyle and battle rapping. Since creating his first spoken word pieces in 2011, Jeronimo has released three Spoken Word EP’s. Jeronimo has earned prestigious awards from Spoken Word Magazine, P.O.E.T Organization, Midwest Urban Music Awards and Safe & Sound. He co-created Solace Souls Sundays Open Mic held at Quarry Event Space Center nominated for National Open Mic of the Year due to sold-out shows, free events and their work to feed and clothe the less fortunate. A guest and host of numerous Chicago radio and TV programs, Jeronimo has performed throughout the country, including selling out the 300 seat I.C.E. Theater promoting his 2nd cd release, “Psalms of the Streets”. Learn more about Jerome at www.jeronimospeaks.com

For tickets: Tickets309tix.com/events/whisper-shout-open-mic-for-poetry-10-3-2024

Historic Springdale Cemetery has an endless number of fascinating tales. Explore the oldest chartered cemetery in Illinois and enjoy the beautiful park-like setting as you hear about some of the famous individuals who lie in rest there.

Venue Information

Caterpillar Visitors Center

110 Southwest Washington Street
Peoria, IL 61602

For tickets: https://309tix.com/events/historic-springdale-bus-tour-10-4-2024

First Friday is a national movement among artists in many cities across the United States. Artists open their studios to present their work to the public.

First Friday events keep the arts in the forefront of a community.

 

Checkout Peoria's First Friday website for gallery openings and all the businesses who participate!

https://hellopeoria.co/first-friday

On the First Friday of the month, we are open from 6-9pm where you can come in to look around and purchase pottery.

At 7pm, if you are interested in trying the wheel out during our First Friday events, we schedule 45 minute sessions to take part in this opportunity.  A quick demonstration of throwing a pot is given.  Then everyone gets a chance to try throwing clay on their own wheel.  During this time, an instructor will be available to give hand-over-hand instruction to assist you in making a pot of your choice. 

Everybody keeps one piece (within the scale of a cereal bowl or coffee mug) which stays at the studio for finish work and firing.  When finished we notify you for pickup and, they are food-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe. 

Cost is $25/participant.  

Ages 5+ (children younger than 18 need be accompanied by an adult)

For upcoming dates, please refer to our Events Calendar (underneath).

We require pre-registration and pre-payment.  Please fill out the form underneath.  You will then receive an invoice which you can pay online.

Please show up no later than 6:45 if you will be throwing on the pottery wheels at the 7:00pm class.

Register here: https://www.wheelartpottery.studio/events/first-fridays-wheel-throwing

Meet at the Pimeteoui Trail Overlook which is located at the first small park area/turnaround on Grandview Drive, about a third of a mile from Prospect Road. 

 

Using the sidewalks on the bluff side of the Drive, view the incredible Lusk Castle, built as a wedding gift. Pass by the entrance to the Country Club of Peoria at the top of the former path to Al Fresco Park. Continue down to the House of a Thousand Panes, former home to visiting CAT guests as well as a local advertising firm's family. Stonecrest, the former home of the Block family of Block and Kuhl, is a beautiful home with a unique exterior. Return to the starting point while discussing other noteworthy people and their residences. The tour is about 2 miles long, and the pace of the tour is leisurely with places to stop and rest.

Venue Information

Grandview Drive

110 Southwest Washington Street
Peoria, IL 61602

For tickets: https://309tix.com/events/grandview-drive-walking-tour-10-5-2024

Learn the basics of setting up a pottery wheel to throw, the proper tools needed, how to prepare the clay through a process called "wedging," centering, throwing on the wheel and how to clean up.

We give a demonstration of how to throw a pot.  Next, we let you try by yourself for a short period of time.  Then we give assistance, as needed, to create your own piece which can literally exist forever (unless it is heated to 2500 fahrenheit:). You get to choose the glaze color of your piece.

This class qualifies a person to attend open studios and work independently. 

Materials and firing is covered in the cost for one piece (approximate maximum size-up to 6" tall x 6" width x 6" length).

Everyone keeps one piece. Additional pieces of equivalent size are $5 (covers material and firing costs).  These are paid for after the pottery session, if you create more than 1 piece you wish to keep.

Specialty Items are also available for additional cost.  These require additional time, material, and firing.

Pieces are kept at the studio for finish work, glazing and two kiln firings, and are picked up at a later date. When finished, everything is food-safe, dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe.

Ages 5+

No experience necessary

Pre-registration and pre-payment required.

Please Fill out the form and submit to register for a Wheel 101 class.  If you have a group of people, all paying together, please use one form.  If you are coming with others, but paying separately, please fill out separate forms.  After you submit the form, you will receive a confirmation email and invoice within a day.  When the invoice is paid, your spot will be reserved.

To register: https://www.wheelartpottery.studio/events/wheel-101-class

Looking for something fun and interesting to do? Join us the first Saturday of every month at 10:00am for Beer School 101!

Learn about the brewing process, take a tour of our facilities & sample our brews!

Class is limited to 20 students, so sign up today. This is a FREE event, but you MUST REGISTER on eventbrite to attend. Don't miss out!

*To clarify, Beer School does not include an actual brewing day which takes 8+ hours. This is a brief introduction to beer making, a tour through our working brewery, a discussion about styles and techniques, and comparative sampling of our styles.

Attendees must be 21+ and attend under the explicit acknowledgement that they will be touring an operating brewery, where wet surfaces and other moving equipment may be present. As a condition of the working environment, all visitors to the brewery agree to hold Obed & Isaac's harmless upon entrance.

For tickets: Ticketswww.eventbrite.com/e/peoria-beer-school-101-tickets-57042639069

For more info: https://www.facebook.com/events/3049959138476375/3049959145143041

Enjoy a tour and tasting with a BLACK BAND team member in our restored historic space in Peoria’s Warehouse District.

As you explore the distilling process from grain to glass, you will learn about mash bills, still technology, distillate selection, barrel aging and more. Please bring your photo ID and plan to arrive 15 minutes before your tour begins.

For more info & to register: https://www.exploretock.com/blackbanddistillery/event/483954?date=2024-07-27&size=1&time=20%3A00