Bradley and Peoria Art Guild Partner for 2027 International Print and Drawing Exhibition

May 18, 2026

Bradley University and the Peoria Art Guild are partnering to present the 2027 Bradley International Print and Drawing Exhibition, one of the nation’s premier juried exhibitions celebrating contemporary graphic artwork from around the world. The exhibition will be open from Feb. 5 through March 19, 2027 at multiple venues throughout Peoria, including Bradley University’s Heuser Art Gallery and Hartmann Center Gallery, as well as the Peoria Art Guild and the Peoria Riverfront Museum.

This year marks the 80th Anniversary of the Bradley International Print and Drawing Exhibition. Widely recognized as the second-longest-running juried print and drawing competition in the United States, this biannual exhibition highlights outstanding contemporary artists working in traditional and experimental graphic media. The exhibition regularly draws submissions from artists across the globe and showcases innovations in printmaking, drawing, and book arts.

“This exhibition has built an international reputation for showcasing exceptional contemporary work while also creating meaningful connections between artists, students, and the broader community,” said Dr. Cyle Metzger, Assistant Professor of Art History and Associate Chair of Bradley University’s Department of Art and Design. “The partnership with the Peoria Art Guild and our downtown venues allows us to expand the reach of the exhibition and further establish Peoria as a destination for the arts.”

“The Bradley International Printmaking and Drawing Exhibition is an extraordinary show that we are grateful to have in Peoria. We are excited about our collaboration with Bradley University and are looking forward to the exhibition next year. This partnership reflects the strength in the art community that exists in Central Illinois and beyond,” remarked Angela Risinger, Gallery Administrator for the Peoria Art Guild. 

The 2027 exhibition juror will be Sarah Smelser, professor in the Wonsook Kim School of Art and Design at Illinois State University and co-founder of Manneken Press in Bloomington, Illinois.

For 30 years Smelser has taught printmaking, drawing, and professional practice courses while exhibiting her work nationally and internationally. Her creative practice explores the relationship between walking, thinking, and making.

The exhibition is open to all traditional and non-traditional graphic media, including all forms of printmaking, drawing, and book arts. Artists may submit up to four pieces for a non-refundable entry fee of $40.

For more information about submission guidelines and entry procedures click here.