Arts

Claire explores the Young Artist's Studio program, its mission, history, and how it risen to COVID-19 challenge with innovative virtual workshops. 

Debra shares her brief encounter with E.K.A.H.'s new lenticular work, Points of View, which has been installed at Lierman Neighborhood Community Garden, as part of The Great ARTdoors initiative. 

Apolonia explores the need for diversity in design thinking starting with design curriculum. 

Debra shares her recent encounter with Mommy Needs Her Medicine at Blacklight Box.

Claire explores Illinois Theatre's mission of radical inclusion and the progress made since its initial statement in 2016. 

Debra previews artist Margaret Wertheim's upcoming lecture on the Crochet Coral Reef project and the launch of the Urbana-Champaign's own Satellite Reef.

Debra encounters Langston Allston's new mural at North First Street Barbershop.

Melinda catches up with Jacki Loewenstein about Class Act's Zoom-based spring and summer, and their plans for a virtual fall theatre season. 

Debra shares her arts to-do list for September. 

Will reviews the new Netflix documentary, Rising Phoenix, which features, and was executive produced by, Champaign-Urbana Paralympian and University of Illinois alum Tatyana McFadden.

Debra chats with interior designer Kelly Hieronymus Whiting and furniture designer Jim Standerfer about their new shop, Behemoth Durable Goods. 

Debra recaps her brief art encounter with Gregory Stallmeyer's installation Disunion at Weiskamp's Lightbox. 

Apolonia shares her brief encounter with art by Patrick Earl Hammie and Stacey Robinson inside Flying Machine Avionics.

Debra ushers in the new arts series,Brief Encounters with Art, with a look at Common Ground Food Co-op's new pandemic-friendly outdoor art gallery which highlights local Black artists.

Osiris takes a deep dive into the methodology and delivery of this fall semester by chatting with leaders at FAA, Jan Erkert, Jeffrey Sposato, and Gabriel Solis.

William talks with Urbana filmmaker Max Pociask on Pens to Lens 2020 and the importance of people.

Debra catches up with author Jillian Duchnowski about her debut children's book, Cassidy and the Lost Fairy of Allerton.

Debra shares her list of must-see arts events for the month. 

Nicole finishes up her two part series on Museum of the Grand Prairie's offerings, talking with various community members about the impacts museums have on African Americans.

Nicole's series on museums during the pandemic continues. Here's part one of her two part series on Museum of the Grand Prairie.

Debra catches up with artist Judith Johnson about the pressures of life and art during these unsettled and unsettling times.  

Debra shares a list of five local artists to follow on Instagram

Apolonia chats with artist and assistant professor of graphic design at the University of Illinois Stacey Robinson about his Afrofuturistic art.

Melinda speaks with Anna Peters, co-owner of Art Coop, about personalized art kits and community partnerships during the pandemic.

Debra shares her monthly list of must-see, mostly virtual arts experiences.

Apolonia chats with artist and Fresh Press Paper studio manager Veronica Pham about creating and living sustainably.

Nicole talks with Krannert Art Museum about how they are adjusting in the midst of the pandemic.

Debra chats with Giertz Gallery director Lisa Costello about what it means to run a teaching gallery and how she has been faring during its shutdown,

Debra reviews Sal Nudo's psychological thriller, The Millionaire's Cross.

Debra chats with Rachel Lauren Storm about poetry, the Urbana Arts and Culture Program, and the intersection of art and social justice. 

Apolonia chats with Illinois Art + Design graduate Nikki Kelsay, who raises her paintbrush in the fight for social justice.

Mathew checks in with recent Illinois Theatre grad Tafadzwa Diener about finishing her degree in quarantine and what's next for her.

Debra shares a list of arts to-dos meant for this moment. 

Judy chats with manga artist about how his time in Japan and how it influenced his work. 

Mathew chats with Brian Morgan, Theatre Director of Parkland College Theatre.

Debra reviews the Illinois Art + Design BFA online exhibition.

Mathew chats with the versatile local theatre actor/director/producer/instructor about her very busy schedule, which continues even during quarantine.

Debra reviews the digital Illinois Art+Design MFA student exhibition. 

Debra previews the virtual Poetic Art event which launches on Friday, May 15th at 7 p.m. on the Her Creative Collective website. 

Debra reviews Re-fashioned 2020, now live on Facebook. 

Mathew chats with C-U theatre producer Linda Evans about her theatrical passions before and during quarantine.

With no live theatre to enjoy, Jarrod reflects on his favorite shows and moments in Champaign-Urbana productions. 

Mathew speaks with the scenic designer for Falsettos, one of two Station Theatre productions currently postponed due to COVID-19.

Debra shares her list of must-see virtual arts events for the month of May. 

Debra shares her several ways to enjoy watching and learning dance during quarantine.

Jarrod reviews Illinois Theatre's BFA 2020 showcase, this time on a virtual stage. 

Debra reached out to local visual artists to see how they and their work were faring during the COVID-19 crisis. Here's what she learned.

Jess reviews the graphic novel adaptation of Parable of the Sower by Damian Duffy and John Jennings.