The exterior of the Peoria Civic Center is a lovely tribute to modern architecture while reflecting the historic beauty of downtown Peoria. In 1983, the Civic Center Authority commissioned American artist Ronald Bladen to design a large sculpture for the main entrance. "Sonar Tide" is 26 feet high, 51 feet long, and four feet deep. The 16-ton, cantilevered sculpture bends and twists toward the Civic Center buildings