Category > Consumed by Creativity
John Bonadies runs his own graphic design business in Champaign, Ill. and I stumbled upon his wickedly amazing talent through a friend who forwarded me his Kickstarter project: a virtual letterpress for the iPad. There are so many Kickstarter projects out there, it is almost overwhelming. But, when people have an exciting concept and they have already completed a huge majority of the legwork — how can one not support such a project? On April 21, the project was fully …
Local artist Jillian Nickell is phenomenal. Her illustrations are well-crafted, full of imagination, and extremely elaborate. I found out about Jillian's work through posters she had created for local music shows. But it doesn't stop there. Her artwork is available in quite a few places and in various forms. Jillian's work (a playful collection of animals in the form of sewing supplies and a trip down memory lane to the playground) can also be found on the beloved Threadless site …
Sara Czosnyka's designs blow my mind. I've never truly been a hat person — but I want practically every hat Sara makes because of her attention to detail and her innovative use of materials. These hats are sexy and before commercial clothing stores jumped on the hat bandwagon, Sara was pumping out some amazing pieces of her own. Her company, Process and Content, constantly receives rave reviews nationwide. And as a former U of I student, Smile Politely caught up …
Not only is Bonnie Fortune (above on the right) a third year MFA student and educator in Art and Design, but she is also the curator for the newest exhibit, EveryBody!: Visual Resistance in Feminist Health Movements, 1969-2009, at I space — the University of Illinois' art gallery in Chicago. EveryBody!, according to Fortune, is an exhibition dealing with radical visual culture surrounding feminist health movements past and present. It combines video, web, mural, poster, performance, illustration, and even wallpaper …
Tyler Bergfield is a feverish painter. Not only does he sell some of his work on Etsy along with his girlfriend, Millie, but he also shows his artwork around Champaign-Urbana. I was first introduced to Tyler's art on my former roommates' wall. It was a cross-section of a slice of meat. Fleshy and raw, it was so realistic and detailed, you could almost pick it off the wall and smack it right down on the grill. For being someone who …
Tomorrow at 9 a.m., Art Mart in Lincoln Square Village will be hopping like any other Saturday morning during Market season. But this particular day marks the beginning of something we hope will become a new tradition. Art Mart will be enlisting in the help of Chef Matt Zagorski, a well-known pie chef who knows his way around the kitchen more than most people. his (fairly short) life as a chef has already led him to appearances on the Food …
Former editor of Smile Politely, Lindsey Markel, has her hands in almost everything. She's a modern-day Renaissance woman. Her newest project called, You Are Among Friends, is a magazine to empower girls and young women alike. It can also be found as a free podcast featuring local musicians and thinkers. So, here's to Lindsey and all the work she does. We miss you here at Smile Politely. Let us begin: Name: Lindsey J. Markel Sparkle Location: downtown Champaign, Ill. Consumed …
Jessica Phillppe, aka J. Phlip, grew up in Champaign, and after deciding to become a DJ, developed a fast following as one the finest around. Her "Twice as Nice" series with DJ Mertz at the former Nargile turned plenty of heads each week, and she went on to spin at basically every joint in town that featured DJs. After she won a contest called Beauty and The Beats, she did a little touring with DJ Collette, a well-known house DJ …
I stumbled upon Bethany Cooper’s artwork while I was searching Etsy’s local galleries. Bethany’s work is extremely affordable and also very darling. I received so many compliments on my bee earrings and pendant, I had to spread the word about these little gems. Two pieces I’d like to buy next: the red bird and the bunny cameo pendants. Or perhaps the peeking snail. It’s so hard to choose because I truly admire all her work. When going to purchase gifts …
Cynthia Oliver’s proverbial plate is piled high. In no particular order, she’s a mother, professor, poet (with her body and on paper), dancer, an artist, choreographer…the list seems endless and demanding — yet she always appears calm and collected. On her website, a quote she wrote reads, “In my work I want to get dirty, acknowledge demons, hail the angels, tell secrets and celebrate conflicted, complicated, glorious lives fully lived.” And oh — does she ever. On that note, Smile …
Most Recent Arts Comments
Local, I forgot to offer you a piece of sage advice. Don’t bag on 39 south because they represent your potential collector pool. Even though I haven’t lived in Champaign since 1997, 39 south is still the only arts entity that has promoted my work as an…
Lest 39 South feels picked on: Check this from the Urbana City Public Arts Program: “Calling all Champaign County Artists! We’re pleased to announce a Call for Entries for a new initiative called Murals on Glass, which will feature artwork reproduced in adhesive vinyl displayed on the…
You forgot Jonathon Fineberg was also personal pals with the Christo’s. I’ll agree that Dr. Fineberg has done a tremendous job communicating to undergrads why this stuff is important, but I won’t kiss the ring because he also contributed to the dismantling of crafts at the U…
And boom goes the dynamite.
I think the best and most exciting arts programming in Champaign-Urbana is at the Krannert Art Museum. The depth and quality of the museum’s permanent collection speaks highly to the intelligence of the art history faculty at the University. I have to say taking Art History with…
Another mystifying thing is 39 South touts the fact that when you consider all things that are considered “art”, i.e. music, exhibits, movies, performances, craft fairs, circuses, ect; art in Champaign County apparently generates $60 million dollars of “economic activity” every year, so says 39 South. And…
I have to agree, I’m a bit confused as to the purpose of 40 North, although I am aware that the organization is in a period of restructuring and re-examination. And yes, the “staff of 1” does work tirelessly to keep the operations afloat, but the fact…
“Making art accessible to everyone and cultivating the art and artists in Champaign County is 40 North’s main mission.” FACT: When the Urbana City Council proposed to form a new public arts council of its own in 2008, 39 South actually sent letters from board members Cody…
On behalf of the New Art Film Festival, I’d like to thank you for highlighting our event in this article. It is our pleasure to put together this showcase for the community and the recognition is highly appreciated by all of us involved in the NAFF. Also,…
Most Popular Arts Articles (60 days)
- New film showcases the wonders of the Linotype machine
- The intricate jest of Rob Delaney
- No foolin’, April is gonna be good
- An interview with Maya Bruck of Pixo
- Crispin Hellion Glover does it all
- Weiskamp makes poster printing a community experience
- Amelia Gray to close out the Carr series
- Mark Neely returns to C-U for S&B
- BEST Arts
- Ebertfest recap
Most Recent Comments
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
Facebook
Twitter
Full Site
Thanks for the sage advice Mary Anna, but I’m long done with the sucking up and being thankful for the scraps. The most important thing an artist can do to live with yourself is tell the emperor he’s got no clothes, and spray paint something on his…