NEWS RELEASE: Peoria Riverfront Museum Premieres New Documentary Highlighting the Works of Peoria Artist Preston Jackson

PEORIA, Ill. (25 January 2024) — The impressive career and artworks created by nationally renowned Peoria-based artist Preston Jackson will be revealed in a new documentary presented by the Peoria Riverfront Museum. The film, “Bronzeville to Harlem: An American Story,” pays homage to his prized, sculpted bronze masterpiece which reflects his depiction of the Harlem Renaissance. Support for the making and promotion of this unique biographical retrospective was made possible by PNC Foundation.

“As one of the most important works housed in the Peoria Riverfront Museum's permanent collection, Preston Jackson’s ‘Bronzeville to Harlem: An American Story’ is comprised of hundreds of unique small bronze and steel figures,” said Chief Curator Bill Conger. “This incredibly ambitious, large-scale cityscape absorbs the viewer into the dynamic influence which spread through the jukes, streets, and lounges of the 1920s and 30s as a result of the Black Migration. Telling this story as experienced through Jackson’s masterpiece is a crucial component of the museum’s charge.”

The film will be open to the public starting Jan. 25 in the museum’s giant screen theater.

“PNC is proud to support the preservation of Preston Jackson’s extraordinary legacy. His commitment to the decades-long evolution of his prized bronze sculpture brings to life a historic moment for urban communities and one which all generations can learn from,” said Brian Ray, PNC Regional President of Central Illinois.

The film premiere augments the museum’s long-standing history with the artist and heightens awareness for the exclusive, permanent exhibit of hundreds of pieces of Jackson’s sculpted art on display at the museum since 2020.

“Depicting innumerable locations, people, and events in our nation’s history, there is so much story to tell that can’t be covered on the museum walls through labels,” said Assistant Curator Everley Davis. “The documentary ’Bronzeville to Harlem’ will illuminate Preston’s genius, highlight stories captured in bronze, share the impact his work of art has had over its thirty years of construction and the inspiration it will continue to spread for years to come.”

Support for the promotion of “Bronzeville to Harlem: An American Story” is provided by PNC Foundation.

Film showings will begin Jan. 25 daily at 4 p.m. Film admission tickets can be purchased online or at the museum. Ticket prices are $5 for members, $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors and students with a valid I.D. and $5.50 for youth (ages 3-13).

For more information about the documentary or the exhibition visit peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.

About Preston Jackson
Preston Jackson is a nationally renowned Peoria-based artist and jazz guitarist who served on the faculty of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago as head of the figural department and was a faculty member at Western Illinois University. The Decatur, Illinois native earned his Bachelor of Fine Art at Southern Illinois University and Master of Fine Art at the University of Illinois. Jackson founded the Contemporary Art Center of Peoria, where his studio is located and where the bronze sculpture “Bronzeville to Harlem: An American Story” was created. Currently, the sculpture is housed in the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

PNC Foundation
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through PNC Grow Up Great®, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.

About Peoria Riverfront Museum

The Peoria Riverfront Museum is the only multidisciplinary institution of its kind in the nation combining art, science, history and achievement. The museum is dedicated to using its collections, exhibitions, film planetarium and programming to tell the stories that build confidence; create a culture of lifelong learning; and unleash the full talent and genius of every individual.