Gerald M. Brookhart Arts In Education Spring Celebration

We are so excited to partner with GO Day Peoria to celebrate our Youth and the Arts in Peoria. Be sure to check out local student art and student performances at the Peoria Riverfront Museum. Free admission to the museum and all of the related events!

We would like to pay tribute to this well loved keyboard. It served the spring celebration for more than 20 years. it accompanied students from all over Central Illinois as they shared their talents on the courthouse grounds. With some sponsorship money this year, we are going to replace it and have donated the keyboard to the Southside Mission Mart. If you see it there, just know how much love and enjoy that it brought!

Peace Played in Peoria today...read more below!

What a fantastic day, season, and celebration at the Peoria County Courthouse! The 2024 GMB came to a close today, as messages and sounds of peace echoed across downtown Peoria.
Please take time and view all of the post , pictures, and videos following, as the talented students , directors, and art leaders of central Illinois really shone today!
A huge thanks to Katrina Fitzpatrick for her organization of Peace Plays In Peoria, an annual conclusion to the Spring Celebration. Thanks to Mary Jo Papich for her encouraging words.
Thank you to Doug and Eillen Leuning of Big Picture Peoria as they discussed Abraham in Blue, which they created and which looks over the plaza.
Many thanks to the talented directors and students who added to today and led these students in messages of peace: Peoria High, Manual High, Richwoods High, Morton Jr High, Elise Ford Academy, Harold B Dawson, Mark Bill's, Rollin Acres, Von Stueben, Lincoln, Reservoir Gifted, Glen Oak, Annie Jo Gordon, and Liberty Leadership Academy.
Whether in art, orchestra, Band, or choir...you and your students are truly admired and appreciated.
Thank you to Yolanda Wallace for an inspiring message. Thank you to Warith Muhammed and Joe Couri for an energetic conclusion and musical messages of peace to the day!
We are truly inspired and appreciative of all the students , directors, parents, and supporters we have seen these past four weeks! Wow...the arts in Education are alive and well!
We would like to thank so many who help make this happen:
Gerald M Brookhart, for starting this 38 years ago and supporting it every year!
Sally Weber, for continued support
Beth Crider and the entire ROE staff for so much sponsorship and support
Danielle Lewis, for the support in the GMB website!!!
Renee Mueller, who keeps schedules updated
Bill Keister and Rich Teagarden, our unflappable sound techs.
Mary Jo Papich , for her support and knowledge
Our City Council and County Board for supporting these students
Kidder Music , Caterpillar Foundation, Arts Partners, Big Picture Peoria
So many others and I apologize if I've left anyone off...please know you are appreciated!

Our wonderful Food supporters:
The Station
Grill Em All
Janes Sweet Addictions
Gramma Nannas
Wares Cookie Shack
Jacks on Adams
Please continue to support them, because they really support these kids in lots of ways!

Last...you, the students, directors , administrators, teachers, parents, friends, and family, who support the students all year in their artistic endeavors!
Thank you, and let's get ready for another great year of the GMB Arts in Education Spring Celebration! Have a great Summer!
Dave Poehls and Mary Ellen Ulrich, GMB Arts in Education Directors

The GMB Ain't scared of no rain ! And it showed....because today stayed dry , the rain stayed away, and we were entertained by the talented students of Liberty Leadership Academy, Lincoln K-8, Rolling Acres, and Blessed Sacrament of Morton!
Band, choir, orchestra, art.....we had it all today!
Lunch and sounds were served! They say a picture says a thousand words.....so look at today's video and pictures below !
Tomorrow....May 15th.....the GMB concludes the season in a big way!
It's Peace Plays In Peoria Day, as the combined bands, orchestras, choirs, and artists from 7 local schools come together with several community artists, speakers, and musicians to underscore how the arts serve to promote peace in our community.
Please join us tomorrow as we conclude our season and celebrate our youth.....11 to 1 at the Peoria County Courthouse!