I used to work every Friday night so I could never attend any of the First Friday functions happening around town. Well, actually, I went once with friends, but that’s a little bit of a fuzzy memory (inside joke alert!)
Now that I’m retired, I’m free to check out some of these First Friday events, so I thought I’d start doing that once a month.
The Peoria Art Guild has a First Friday Event and there’s a photo exhibit on display that I’m interested in checking out. So let’s head on out to the First Friday on Wednesday here on MBIP!
Here we are in downtown Peoria and there’s the Peoria Art Guild. I’ve never been in here, let’s get inside, it’s freezing out here!
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David Gregory - “Journeys”
Wow, it’s nice inside and it’s warm!
One of the exhibits on display is a series of paintings by local artist, David Gregory.
David Gregory is a painter specializing in watercolor and oils and these paintings are beautiful and amazing to look at.
David’s an accomplished artist who’s had shows and exhibitions all over the country dating back to the mid ‘80’s.
You should come here and check out his amazing paintings!
Here’s a link to read more about David and see his original and beautiful artwork.
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Dr. Elsburgh Clarke - “Black Barber Shop: A Gathering Place of Pride and Dignity”
This is the photo exhibit I came down to see: The Black Barber Shop: A Gathering Place of Pride and Dignity.
It’s a photo series concentrating on black barber shops in the community and how they’re gathering places for social interaction.
The photos I saw online were really intriguing and I wanted to come down and take a look in person, so let’s go in and have a look around!
Wow, this is all I had hoped for and more. These are fantastic photos and I love black and white photography!
I love how candid these are and the emotion that comes through them.
To get your hair cut or styled, you have to let your guard down somewhat and let someone else take charge and I think that really comes through in this photo series.
The photos need no captions, they speak for themselves.
There was a nice crowd gathered and everyone was admiring this fantastic and moving photo series.
Here’s a table with some of Dr. Clarke’s photo books and a calendar
In addition to barber shops, he’s also done a photo studay of Black Beauty Shops that are featured in his book, Black is Beautiful.
There’s one of his cameras on the table as well as his artist statement.
And here’s the man himself, Dr. Elsburgh Clarke. In addition to his fine photography work, he’s also an ER medical doctor. Truly a modern-day Renaissance Man!
It was fascinating to talk with him and I’m hoping to have lunch with him down the road, so keep your eyes open for another appearance from the good Dr. Clarke here on MBIP!
Dr. Clarke is quite an accomplished photographer and has many different styles and photo collections. You can check out his work and how to contact him by clicking right here.
Wonderful to meet him and this was a fun First Friday at Peoria Art Guild. I like not working Friday nights!
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203 Harrison Street
Peoria
309-637-2787
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Related Post: First Friday On A Sunday Morning.