Artists from around the country were part of this summer's residence program and we were very excited about them being here. This was our first summer with so many artists coming into our community. Seven of the artists stayed at the residency, but with people in and out we only had four artists on hand at anyone time. We enjoyed each and everyone of the artists that we served and wish them the best in the future.

Heather Brammeier , Painter-Mixed Media, Peoria IL - Heather worked with water jet cutting of elements to add to her paintings. She and Mary Nasser came as a team.

Paul Catanese, Mixed Media, San Francisco, CA - Paul worked with a machinist at Tri-City Machine to create a metal plate for printmaking done at Bradley University with the assistance of master printmaker, Oscar Gillespie. http://www.paulcatanese.com/artwork/celestial/001.html

Morgan Elser , Doll Artist, Delavan, IL - Morgan assisted Judy Placko and high school teachers in making the Rapunzel figures for the Lady Rapunzel public art installation. Morgan will have a Residency this next year towork on her own project(s). See Lady Rapunzel creative process

Joshua Goldman, Composer, NY , NY - Josh did his composing and became our "official" house manager for the summer.

Charlie Michaels , Painting/Photography, Peoria , IL - Charlie had his BFA Thesis Exhibition at Prairie Center . He graduated in May from Bradley University .

Cecil McDonald , Photographer, Chicago, IL - Cecil was the successful candidate for the Midwest Voices & Visions competition sponsored by the Alliance of Artists' Communities with funding from the Joyce Foundation in Chicago, IL. Cecil had a fully funded one month residency at Prairie Center . As part of his residency we set up a new digital photo lab with an Imacon Scanner and Epson printers: 4800 & 9800. Prairie Center was flexible enough that Cecil was able to bring his daughters to the residency to be his models for his photography work.

Mary Nasser , Painter-Mixed Media, St. Louis, MO - Mary was able to master getting files ready for the water jet and spent time cutting her material to make geographically inspired art pieces.

John Orfe, Composer, Dalton , IL - John is currently in residence for the fall working on compositions for an ensemble. The compositions will be performed in Europe this fall. John is also a member of Alarm Will Sound and periodically leaves Prairie Center to tour with the group.

Judy Placko , Lady Rapunzel Project Coordinating Artist, Groveland IL - Ah, Judy! She worked with Prairie Center for the past year to bring Lady Rapunzel to the Peoria area community. This project morphed into something we had never envisioned with 140 students and teachers working on bits and pieces of the project for almost a year. Judy did an excellent job of coordinating figure making sessions and keeping us all on track to make the opening day reception an event to be remembered. Opening day included poetry and music by Bonnie Malchow, a faculty member at Illinois Central College and performances by Morton High School students of a musical composition arranged by Illinois Central College student Nick Daniel. This collaborative project is truly a sight to behold and is, as far as we know, the largest public art installation in Central Illinois completed by high school students and teachers. Congratulations, Judy and all who worked on this project!
See Lady Rapunzel creative process

Dennis Tobenski , Composer, NY , NY - Dennis is an ISU grad and was only with us for three weeks, but he says he will be back!

Laurelyn Whitt, Poet and Writer, Orem , Utah - Laurie stayed for almost two months. She was able to read her poetry with the Illinois Poet Laureate, Kevin Stein, and Jim Ballowe, Distinguished Professor of English Emeritus, Bradley University .

Our very valued assistants worked with the artists this summer and from that have made some lasting friendships:

Zach Abubeker , Photography Student, Illinois Central College & Columbia College , Peoria , IL

Chris Donnelly , Student, Notre Dame High School , Peoria , IL

Nick Harvey , Photography Student, Bradley University & Illinois Central College , Peoria , IL

Stephanie Van Doren , MFA candidate, Bradley University , Peoria , IL

Michele Richey
President