Lincoln Arts Institute to host first show of the season on FRIDAY, May 12th
Guest Artist Aareon Boyd will speak at 6 p.m.

[May 08, 2023]   Lincoln Arts Institute is pleased to host a solo exhibition by Peoria professional artist Aareon Boyd. An opening reception will be held on Friday, May 12, 2023, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the LAI Moses Pinkerton Gallery, 112 S. Mclean St., Lincoln. The show, entitled “No Scraps LEFT BEHIND” showcases the artist’s passion for textile art. The opening reception will feature an artist talk at 6 p.m., and Jason Hoffman, owner of the LAI, will have a collection of his work in the main gallery.

Boyd is a passionate artist who was born and raised in the Peoria area. From a young age, Boyd knew he would pursue a career in the Arts. Upon the passing of his Great-Grandmother Norma Jean Clifford, Boyd was willed with a sewing machine. This thoughtful gift drew him into the world of fabric. With little funds and a knack for repurposing the rough, Boyd jumped into the media of Textile Art by building forms and patterns from unwanted items. His mission is to reimagine and give new life to those materials while being a voice for the environment.

Looking to gain more knowledge, Boyd was accepted into the Art Institute of Schaumburg. In 2015, he began his academic studies in Illustration & Design. Eager to hone in on his skills, Boyd worked incessantly transforming everything from clothes to paint cans.

In 2019, with a renewed excitement, he started his own online shop TwistedAWays.com. The shop's mission is to showcase Boyd's zeal for creating fabric-based projects from recycled materials.

That same year, Boyd was offered an apprenticeship under the renowned local artist Preston Jackson at The Contemporary Art Center in Peoria. With Preston's guidance, many opportunities have been awarded to Boyd. The chance to work with young artists teaching his craft has been his biggest inspiration. Boyd passes on this enthusiasm of Art by teaching classes at The Peoria Art Guild, The Riverfront Museum and Art and Science in the Woods.

Catch the show before June 2nd at Lincoln Arts Institute! Visit on Fridays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. to see it for free.

[Marcia Cook
Lincoln Arts Institute]