April is typically thought of as the big month for the arts in Champaign-Urbana, thanks to both Ebertfest and Boneyard Arts Festival. But as May ushers in better weather and the end of the school year, there’s still plenty to do and see in the C-U arts community. This month you can watch a sustainable fashion show, see a fine arts exhibition, or join a local coven (bookclub, that is). Check out the list below for five things to do in arts this month.
Sustainable fashion events at U of I
The Siebel Center for Design is hosting their annual Re-Fashioned show this Saturday, May 6th. University of Illinois fashion students showcase their semester-long projects: garments created entirely from recycled or reclaimed materials. The fashion show is a must-see event, and was previously named one of our best arts events of the decade. You can check out our recent splog post about it here.
Re-Fashioned is not the only sustainable fashion event happening this weekend. On May 5th, the Siebel Center for Design is also hosting the Circular Fashion Expo. The all-day event features a fashion runway and competition, clothing swap, and live music. Past expos have seen more than 1500 garments swapped or recirculated and more than three million liters of water saved from new clothing production. More information about their goals and impact can be found on their website.
Circular Fashion Expo
Siebel Center for Design
1208 S Fourth St
Champaign
F May 5th, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Free
Re-Fashioned 2023
Siebel Center for Design
1208 S Fourth St
Champaign
Sa May 6th, 6:30 p.m.
Free
School of Art & Design Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition
If fine arts are more your thing, the School of Art and Design is hosting its annual exhibition from May 6th through May 14th. On display are works by graduating BFA seniors in Art Education, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, New Media, and Studio Art. An opening reception will be held on May 6th.
School of Art and Design BFA Exhibition
Krannert Art Museum
Main Level, East Gallery
500 E Peabody Dr
Champaign
May 6th through May 14th
Reception May 6th, 4 to 6 p.m.
Free
Sketching C-U Life: Pen & Ink Drawings by Hua Nian
The Champaign County History Museum is hosting an exciting new exhibit featuring drawings by artist and art instructor Hua Nian. Nian’s paintings have been displayed in national and international art exhibitions. After a career in photography, Nian began drawing after her son was born out of a deep desire to “ease the anxiety of possessing the fleeting moment.” An opening reception for the show will be held May 11th, and the pen and ink drawings will be on display through May.
Sketching C-U Life: Pen & Ink Drawings by Hua Nian
Champaign County History Museum
102 E University Ave
Champaign
Reception May 11th, 5 to 7 p.m.
Free
The Coven book club at the Literary
The Literary is one of my favorite new places in Champaign. Good books, good food, good drinks: what more could anyone want? I’ve been particularly impressed by their ability to make bookstores relevant in the age of Bezos. While they offer tons of events, I’m personally a fan of their book clubs, but one in particular caught my eye this month: the Coven book club. Held monthly, this book club is a celebration of all things witchy. This month they will be discussing Ember Grant’s Mythology for a Magical Life. Buy the book, support a local business, and meet some like-minded lovers of books and magic.
Coven Book Club
The Literary
122 N Neil St
Champaign
Sa May 27th, 5 p.m.
New Sculptures at Meadowbrook Park
Meadowbrook park was the recent winner of our Parks tournament and for good reason: it has a great playground, a relaxing walking path, and of course, the sculpture garden. The Urbana Park District has been celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Wandell Sculpture Garden since September. In honor of the milestone anniversary, the garden added three new sculptures. While the sculptures were actually unveiled last Fall, if you are like me, you might not have had a chance to check them out yet. With the promise of warmer weather in the coming weeks, now is the perfect time to head over to Meadowbrook and appreciate the sculpture garden.