Photo by Barbara?Milaccio

Junction City is in the midst of its fifth annual “Artists on the Boardwalk” fourth Fridays with local artists displaying and selling their artwork throughout the summer.

Organizer Barbara Milaccio of Exhibit A Gallery said the boardwalk showcase helps bring awareness to the local art scene.

“There are many artists around here who might not have a large venue to have a big tent show or a big showcase. This is more casual and exposes their work to lots of people at the same time,” Milaccio said.

Several decades ago, Junction City was host to the Peoria Art Guild for its annual show and Milaccio said that show which started small and quaint soon became too big for the boardwalk and moved to the Riverfront.

Milaccio said when Junction City was renovated several years ago, she thought how great it would be to bring back the charm of the small and quaint art show.

“They put all this money and work into the complex and we have such great shops out here so it’s a good overall experience. It’s nice to walk along the boardwalk and interact with the artists you are purchasing from and becomes more personal,” Milaccio said.

Milaccio said for the first two years she did not charge a fee, but now an artist can be featured for $15 per show.

“It’s so inexpensive for the word of mouth that this type of event brings to their work,” Milaccio said.

Milaccio said the Central Illinois Cruisers also bring classic cars out on the Fourth Fridays so the husbands can admire the cars while the wives do a little shopping.

Junction City shops and restaurants use social media to offer specials to coincide with Fourth Fridays too.

Milaccio said people can find paintings, jewelry, pottery, woodworking, photography, yard sculptures and glasswork, along with musicians and authors selling their latest works.

“We have stuff anywhere from two to three dollars to a couple thousand bucks and everything in between,” Milaccio said.

At Exhibit A Gallery, Milaccio represents more than 50 local artists and she said it’s her 17 years of experience in the business that has refined her trained eye for unique and compelling work to be featured on the boardwalk.

“Sometimes I will go to different shows and fairs and solicit for people to come out. We are very selective because we want to keep the nice caliber of the show, yet still give lots of different artists an opportunity,” Milaccio said.

Milaccio said there are usually around 60 to 70 total artists featured over the span of four months – 30 to 40 come out each month – and if a person came to all four months, they would get a different experience each time.

“I encourage them to create new works or bring different things for the next month so shoppers are seeing something new and fresh each time,” Milaccio said.

Milaccio said her nephew, Drake, used to sell his handcrafted beaded jewelry and keepsakes – Little D Designs – in a small display in her gallery and Artists on the Boardwalk was a chance for him to feature hundreds of pieces.

“I remember him coming in after one of the Fridays and saying ‘Aunt Barb I did really good.’ He was so excited,” Milaccio said.

Drake passed away last November and Milaccio said he really was the heart of the show.

“It’s going to be a tough one this year, but the show must go on. He was my inspiration,” Milaccio said.

Milaccio said she is always anxious for the summer event to kick off.

“We get more artists and more people each year from all around. Grab something to eat out here and maybe a glass of wine. It makes for a nice Friday date night,” Milaccio said.

Artists on the Boardwalk still has two evenings remaining – July 26 and Aug. 23 – from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Junction City, 5901 N. Prospect Road in Peoria.

For more information or artist registration, visit newjunctioncity.com.