The Art of Friendship

Main Gallery and Project Space

Exhibiton Statement:

It’s rare for two individuals from different families to forge a 63-year friendship

rooted in a shared passion for visual art. Yet Ken Clubb and Dave Seay have done

just that—building a lifelong creative journey that began in childhood and continues

to evolve.

Peoria, Illinois, has been the backdrop and binding thread of their artistic lives.

Growing up in the same neighborhoods, attending the same schools, and entering

local art shows, Ken and Dave’s early years were steeped in artistic exploration.

After college, both returned to Peoria and began their professional careers as artists

at the Thomas S. Klise Company, producing educational and religious filmstrips.

Their paths diverged professionally but remained parallel in spirit: Dave spent over

25 years as a board artist at Multi-Ad Services, while Ken transitioned his freelance

illustration business into a full-time endeavor, collaborating with local ad agencies,

businesses, and individuals for more than two decades.

Remarkably, the two maintained neighboring studios in the same building for over

40 years—Dave still works there, while Ken has since moved his studio home. This

proximity fostered not only camaraderie but also a continuous exchange of ideas

and inspiration.

Their time in audio-visual production demanded versatility—an ability to shift styles,

master new techniques, and meet diverse client needs. That adaptability became a

hallmark of their work. The professional illustration showcased here needs no

explanation, yet their representational styles include experimentation with abstract

technique and mixed mediums for a variety client driven subjects.

Though their commercial careers may have slowed, Ken and Dave’s creative spirit

remains vibrant. Today, they continue to draw and paint for personal fulfillment,

enjoying the freedom to be their own clients. Their friendship—grounded in art,

sustained by mutual respect, and enriched by decades of shared experience—is

itself a masterpiece.

The opening reception for this exhibition will be October 3rd, 5:00-8:00 p.m.

The work will be on view October 3rd, 2025 – October 25th, 2025

Gallery events are always free and open to the public.