February 14, 2022 – Every year the Decatur Area Arts Council hosts an “International Event” at the Madden Arts Center (125 N. Water St.). This will feature a 2-month long gallery exhibit, as well as performers, speakers and related arts classes, camps, and field trips that run throughout the summer. This year, they will be focusing on the circus all summer long.
“The circus has such a long and wonderful history. In the early years, most people who were not city-dwellers had limited access to arts and entertainment. The circus changed all that by bringing the acts to the people by way of the railroad. Even most working folks could afford a ticket when the circus came to town. This is one reason why the circus was and IS so beloved; for many Americans it was their first or only access to the ‘arts’.” said Jami Fawley, Gallery Coordinator at the DAAC.
Because of the railroad access, Illinois was quite a popular destination for circus trains, and eventually became the winter home for aerialists and trapeze artists, in particular. There were various training facilities in central Illinois where performers trained in the off-season, including a clown school.
Fowley is currently working with Illinois State University to build this exhibit primarily from their collection of historical circus items. Many of these artifacts were from or affiliated with Illinois, but some are simply “memorabilia”.
“As with all of the cultural exhibits we create, we like to draw from the community to see what items they may have collected as well. These contributions lend a personal and local touch to the topic at hand. I never quite know what we will find, but I am eager to find out what circus items people may have collected. Some may have had relatives who were in the circus, some may have collected items from circuses they attended, while others may have collected circus memorabilia like vintage toys, statues, paintings, or other items that reminded people of the whimsy of the circus.” continued Fawley.
From the beginning, the circus was meant to inspire awe; to “wow” the audience, and it still does. Circuses like “Cirque” type acrobatic shows still sell out and “wow” their audiences across the world with their amazing acts of athleticism and artistry. Now that we, as a society, are more educated, and hopefully more compassionate, sideshow acts, even in a more traditional style circus, are a thing of the past. As people become educated about animal rights, circuses using animals are much less common now, but the ones who still use animals are more heavily regulated so that animals are treated humanely. As society evolves, so has the face of the circus, so while there will be changes, do not expect to see the circus disappearing.
While the DAAC are in the process of building the exhibit, they are also searching for magic acts, jugglers, acrobats and other performers to entertain their guests. They are collaborating with several local groups to create a unique and exciting summer spectacular for the people of Decatur and beyond. As a community-centered arts council, they offer their events free to the public, but rely heavily on the generosity of community members and local businesses for their financial support.
They are currently searching to find a specific donor or group of donors to sponsor the event so that they are able to bring the best acts possible. If you or someone you know would like to become a donor or would like more information, go to the Decatur Area Arts Council’s website.
