Fail Club with Special Guest Speaker Dr. Cyle Metzger, Founder of Aegis Adaptive
Schedule
Wed May 20 2026 at 04:30 pm to 06:00 pm
UTC-05:00Location
201 SW Adams St, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois 61602 | Peoria, IL
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Join us for Fail Club with Special Guest Speaker Dr. Cyle Metzger, Founder of Aegis Adaptive!The in-person meet-up takes place in the Main Lobby of Distillery Labs. Register for this FREE gathering here.
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Metzger's flagship product is the AEGIS ARMOR™, a patent-pending, lightweight wheelchair protector designed to prevent damage to rigid manual wheelchairs during air travel. Inspired by foldable kayak technology, the flagship system is made of the same material as automotive dashboards and designed for durability, water resistance, and portability.
Dr. Cyle Metzger is currently Associate Chair, Assistant Professor of Art History, and founding Director of the Museum Studies Minor in the Art and Design Department at Bradley University. He is co-executive editor of Panorama, the journal of the Association of Historians of American Art. Dr. Metzger has published widely in the field of American art with a specific focus on trans materialisms in 20th Century Post-War art. His scholarship has appeared in American Art, Art Journal, MoMA Magazine, Archives of American Art Journal, Journal of Visual Culture, Transgender Studies Quarterly, and Feminist Studies. His forthcoming book is titled Deep Cuts: Trans Plasticity in 20th Century American Art after World War II (manuscript revisions in progress). He is at work on a second collaborative project with Dr. Jason Weems that addresses the legacy of New Deal policies on the appearance of disability in the last one-hundred years of American art.
Dr. Metzger received his PhD in Art History with a minor in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Stanford University in 2021. He earned an MA in the History of Art from the University of California, Riverside in 2015 and an MFA in interdisciplinary studio art from the Mount Royal School of Art at the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2010. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bennington College in 2008.
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Fail Club: Celebrating Lessons from the Unexpected
On the 3rd Wednesday monthly, Distillery Labs hosts this unique gathering highlighting how every setback paves the way to a greater comeback. We provide an open setting focused on learning from professionals willing to share how their mishaps, unexpected detours, and outright failures have led to valuable new wins.
Speakers offer their insights for the Club speaking/presenting for a bit then taking questions after. There is also time for everyone to share their stories or current challenge for which they're seeking guidance. Complimentary beverages are provided by Distillery Labs, and all are encouraged to hear and share first-hand experiences connecting with others who value resilience and innovation.
Learn: Hear first-hand stories from individuals who turned their setbacks into setups for success.
Network: Connect with a community that values resilience, innovation, and growth.
Grow: Embrace the journey of entrepreneurship and self-development, bumps and all.
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Distillery Labs
201 SW Adams St.
Peoria, IL 61602
DistilleryLabs.org
(Parking may be found at metered street spots on SW Adams and Fulton Streets as well as parking garages on SW Adams and neighboring streets.)
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Where is it happening?
201 SW Adams St, Peoria, IL, United States, Illinois 61602Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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