PERU – North Central Illinois (NCI) ARTworks invites the public to a “Meet the Artist” event featuring oil painter Kent A. Broadbent of Annawan. The gallery show will take place on Friday, Nov. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Westclox ARTworks Center, 408 Fifth St., Peru.

More than a dozen of Broadbent’s paintings will be featured in the first gallery show of artist works on display at the newly opened Westclox ARTworks Center. His work will be displayed through Dec. 13.

Broadbent gives a twist to his abstract oil paintings. In 2010, after painting for many years, he became more adventurous with his art by trying new techniques and mediums. He now mixes oil paints with cold wax to add unique dimension, texture and shading to the colors and structure of each painting.

“I enjoy how lines, shapes, colors and texture combine to make my eyes move around the piece of work,” Broadbent said. “I believe different color combinations solicit different feelings with each person and make me smile. I also love that a combination of colors can make a piece of work or section of that work jump out at you and grab your eyes. I am having a blast and still succeeding to hopefully create better art.”

“Kent’s art is all about imagination, texture and color - and it’s such an exuberant display for our arts center gallery,” Coughlin said. “We are excited that, over time, many artists specializing in a variety of techniques and mediums will display their work here for everyone to enjoy year-round.”

Broadbent studied painting and sculpture at Illinois State University in Normal, figure drawing at Augustana College in Rock Island, and has had additional professional training in cold wax and oil painting during a Shag Rag Alley Workshop. He has shown his work at solo and group exhibits throughout the area, including:

2018: Maple City Art Show with the Geneseo Art League (award winner); the Regional Survey of Art, The Next Picture Show in Dixon; and Galex 52 National Juried Show at the Gales Art Center in Galesburg. This year he also had a painting on display at the Cancer Center at Unity Point in Moline and has one of his artwork designs on a bookmark for Living Proof/Cancer Survivor Art in Moline.

2017: Prairie Arts Center in Princeton; The Artry Midcoast in Rock Island; Quad Cities Arts/Quad Cities Airport in Moline; Abstract Art, The Next Picture Show in Dixon (award winner); 64 Arts National Juried Show, Buchanan Center for the Arts in Monmouth; Living Proof Visualization of Hope, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.

2016: Regional Survey of Art, The Next Picture Show in Dixon (Best of Show award winner); Modern Art Show, The Next Picture Show in Dixon (award winner); Galex 50 National Juried Show, Galesburg Art Center; Living Proof Exhibit, The Figgie – Davenport, Iowa.

2015: Galex 49 National Juried Show, Galesburg Art Center.

North Central Illinois (NCI) ARTworks is a 501c3, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and expanding the arts community in LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties through three initiatives: artistic collaboration, educational outreach, and art space development. For more information visit www.nciartworks.com.