Smile Politely

Be sure to swing by The Eric Show at the Illini Union

A view of a portion of an art gallery with white walls and wood floors. There is an Eric Show poster hanging on the wall in the foreground, a fireplace mantel with various sculpted pieces, and artwork on walls in the background.
Julie McClure

The Eric Show is an annual juried art exhibition hosted by 40 North and the Illini Union in honor of Eric Steffensen, a high school student and aspiring artist who was killed by a drunk driver in 1970. High school students throughout Champaign County are invited to submit works for display in the Illini Union Art Gallery.

The gallery is a bright, airy, and quiet space, and right now it’s filled with some pretty impressive student work. The show will be up through April 14th, so be sure to stop by and spend a few minutes.

A large square batik print. It's black and white and gray, and depicts Edward Scissorhands.
@Opal Fishel, Edward, 2023; Julie McClure
A colored pencil drawing of a human-like figure. The neck and shoulders are composed of brown branches, and the faces is a compilation of various insects.
@Tao Smith, Untitled, 2023; Julie McClure
A polymer clay sculpture of a round wooden board with various fruits and cheeses displayed on it.
@Bailey Punkay, Charcuterie, 2023; Julie McClure

More Articles