Founded in June of 2024, Kankakee Arts CoLAB is the vision of a group of community members that desire art and music opportunities in Kankakee. We want to open doors, open hearts, and open conversations about creativity. We are passionate about how the arts shape culture. We believe that exposure to the arts creates this openess.

Colorful illustration of Kansas City Arts Council logo with various artistic and musical icons surrounding it on a yellow background.

The Folks that Make it Happen……

  • A woman with glasses and a black jacket holding a paper cup of coffee, sitting at a table in a cozy room with a white fireplace and decorative items on the mantle.

    Mary LeRoy

    Art Instructor, Grace Christian Academy

    Idea Master, Artist, Board Member

    mleroy@gracecrusaders.org

  • Portrait of a middle-aged man with a beard and short hair, wearing a bright blue collared shirt, smiling against a white background.

    Brian Prairie

    Film, Video, Design

    Board Member

    briantprairie@gmail.com

  • A man sitting behind a drum set on a stage or recording studio.

    Matt Yeates

    Musician

    Drum Tech, Stage Manager

    Board Member

    mbyeates@gmail.com

  • People observing models and artwork in an art gallery.

    April VanHeemst

    Art Enthusiast

    Teacher

    Board Member

    avanheemst@hotmail.com

  • A woman with short, wavy brown hair and blue eyes takes a selfie in a car.

    Michelle Cooper

    Community Engagement

    Treasurer

    Board Member

    landstewards@hotmail.com

  • Four people standing in front of an old brick building with metal stairs nearby. They have tattoos and are dressed casually, with a mix of dark clothing and graphic t-shirts.

    Bridget Smith-DeWees

    Music Committee

    Education, Mentor

    Musician

  • Young man with dark hair and a mustache smiling while playing an electric guitar, wearing a white t-shirt and a guitar strap, in a room with posters and a woman with dark hair in the background.

    James LeRoy

    Music Committee

    Booking Agent, Musician,

    Production Manager

    All Around Good Guy

    jamesdoingmusicstuff@gmail.com

  • A man with long hair wearing a colorful shirt and jacket posing in a dimly lit setting with a band performing in the background.

    Neil Denault

    Music Committee

    Booking, Musician

    Lecado

  • A young man standing on a sidewalk with a black dog on a leash, in front of a wall with street art that says 'Stolen.'

    Rob Fowler

    CoLAB Member

    Music Committee

    Singer

    Animal Lover

  • Scott Aaron Dombrowski

    Description goes here