Beauty In a Peoria Art Park
C.T. Gabbert is beautifying the Warehouse District with Peoria art
Peoria, IL — C.T. Gabbert has taken the efforts of the Warehouse District in Peoria one block north to the corner of McArthur Highway and S.W. Adams St. What started as a vacant gas station has been turned into an Art Park. Chuck Gabbert has worked to beautify this corner and bring beauty to the south end of the Warehouse District. An MG with a new lease on life, vinyl portraits and rotating art are just the beginning of the plans for the Art Park. Unveiled today the area’s first Free Little Library. This is a concept where this cabinet is filled with books of all kinds, children, teen and adult. The idea is to take a book and leave a book if you can.
Each season brings a new rotation of possible art selections for Gabbert. “Working with members and schools in the community has really allowed this idea of mine to take off,” he explains. Gabbert has paired up with local artists using word of mouth to get new Peoria art for the murals. “These murals can be anything really. We take an image, photograph or drawing, take a picture and turn it into a vinyl piece similar to modern billboard technology,” says Gabbert. The ‘Free Little Library’ was an idea Joe Gabbert had. “My wife is a first grade teacher and we had talked about things like this so I thought, why not in the art park?” Community members have noticed the improvements too. “I love what they are doing for the neighborhood and as someone who travels from my home in West Peoria to my work in East Peoria, I love seeing how they change things and keep that corner fresh, lively and beautiful!” says Amy Furgiuele.
Flowers have been planted in the trunk of an old MG and recycled tires hanging from the building. Birdhouses made from recycled materials are now on display. New murals will be hung in May as well. Members of the community can admire the Peoria art and take their pictures there as well. What started as an idea on a piece of paper has become the newest addition to the Warehouse District Art Walk. If you have a piece of art that you would like to submit for the Art Park, send your inquiry to C.T. Gabbert Remodeling & Const. at 1323 S.W. Adams St. Peoria, IL 61602 or email Chuck Gabbert at Chuck@ctgabbert.com.
C.T. Gabbert Remodeling and Construction Inc. of Central Illinois is a professional home remodeling and home building firm based in Peoria and servicing all of Central IL. We have been a full service remodeling company since 1978.
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