Gwen Bateman

Gwen Bateman 

Murray Baker Bridge Lights Up Our Hearts 

Photography

Biography 

My background is not artistic at all, except that as a child, I always loved taking pictures with my camera.  My hometown is Chicago, but I have lived from the Midwest to the East Coast.  When I was in high school my family moved to Peoria, which now feels like my REAL hometown.  I taught special education and was a homebound tutor in the Peoria School District. 

As an artist, I cannot draw a stick figure, but I love photography.  I enjoy sharing the beauty of life that I see in so many ways:  nature, people, and places. Being fortunate to have traveled a bit, I especially enjoy photographing the people, culture, nature, and architecture of other countries. 

Living on the river is especially fascinating.  There is always something beautiful, exciting, or interesting that is a "must" to share with others.  I have been able to share these things through exhibitions in Peoria and East Peoria, publications, programs for groups, and even Facebook. 

Artist Statement 

"During a very challenging time for Peoria, a group of citizens raised enough money for lights on the Murray Baker Bridge. The group then worked with the city and the bridge was lit. THANKS FOR LIGHTING UP OUR HEARTS!" 

From the City of Peoria website: 

Murray Baker Bridge History

The Murray Baker Bridge has been an iconic landmark for our region since it opened to traffic on December 12, 1958.  It is named after Murray M. Baker, a former Vice President of Caterpillar and without it, our region may have looked much different due to the interstate that helps drive our economy.  

Decorative lights first twinkled on the Murray Baker Bridge on July 4, 1991.  Much of the credit goes to Mr. Leonard Marshall, a banker, Jim Rochford, an attorney, and D. James Jumer, a business owner who had big dreams of riverfront development.  With the help of the community and assistance of the Community Foundation of Central Illinois, a $150,000 fundraising campaign began, sponsoring lights for $250 each.  It has been noted that the Murray Baker Bridge was the first decoratively lit interstate bridge in the United States.  

Due to broken or burned-out bulbs, the bridge was dark from 2012 to 2020.  Following major improvements to the bridge in 2019 and 202, the bridge was lit again.  The installation of the 500 LED bulbs on the Murray Baker Bridge cost $5 Million and was funded through the State of Illinois capital improvement budget. The city of Peoria is the designated technical operator for this program.  The cities of Peoria, East Peoria, along with Peoria and Tazewell Counties, are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the bridge lights.