University Galleries of Illinois State University is pleased to present the 2024 Faculty Biennial. The exhibition is on view from October 14 through December 2, 2024. All events are free and open to the public.

Organized every two years, the Faculty Biennial presents new and recent research by faculty and staff in the Wonsook Kim School of Art and the School of Creative Technologies. The artists participating in the exhibition represent the areas of Art History, Art Teacher Education, Creative Technologies, Graphic Design, and Studio Art.

The 2024 Faculty Biennial presents work by 29 faculty and staff including: Ladan Bahmani, Saskia Beranek, Edward Breitweiser, Ruth K. Burke, Simone Downie, Jason Dunda, Andreas Fischer, Brian Franklin, Erin Furimsky, Joey Hatch, Kirsten Heteji, Melissa Johnson, Katie Krcmarik, Christopher Lackey, Jin Lee, Jade Nguyen, Melissa Oresky, Morgan Price, Laura Primozic George, Jason Reblando, Veda Rives Aukerman in collaboration with Meda Rives Smith, Nathania Rubin, Tanya Scott, Archana Shekara, Anmol Shrivastava in collaboration with Shirajuddin Ji, Sarah Smelser, Bert Stabler in collaboration with Mo Fizdale, Albion Stafford, and Rick Valentin.

The exhibition is the focus of multiple educational programs. Free virtual and in-person curator-led tours are available by appointment for the duration of the exhibition. University Galleries’ staff will lead art-making workshops for Illinois State University students, families, and K-12 students. Faculty members will lead a workshop and a panel discussion. The Normal Community High School Experimental Ensemble will visit the exhibition to learn about artworks in the exhibition. Later, they will compose and perform original compositions inspired by selected artwork.

Events and programming

All events are free and open to the public.

Wednesday, October 23, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Independent drawing hour. Spend time looking closely at artworks in the exhibition and drawing at your own pace. Materials provided.

Saturday, October 26, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
All-ages artmaking workshop. Materials and instruction provided by University Galleries’ staff. Registration required.

Saturday, November 2, from 11 a.m. to noon
Sensory-friendly morning. Visit the galleries before opening hours when you can enjoy dimmed lighting and a quiet space.

Tuesday, November 5, from 4 to 5 p.m.
Panel discussion on distortion and abstraction in figuration and portraiture. Moderated by Saskia Beranek (associate professor, art history) and featuring Jason Dunda (assistant professor, 2D foundations), Andreas Fischer (associate professor, painting and drawing), and Nathania Rubin (assistant professor, painting and drawing).

Saturday, November 9, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
All-ages artmaking workshop. Materials and instruction provided by University Galleries’ staff. Registration required.

Friday, November 15, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Fabric doll-making workshop led by Morgan Price (associate professor, printmaking). All materials and instruction provided. Registration required.

Wednesday, November 20, 3 to 4 p.m.
Independent drawing hour. Spend time looking closely at artworks in the exhibition and drawing at your own pace. Materials provided.

Saturday, November 23, from noon to 1 p.m.
Performance by Normal Community High School’s Experimental Ensemble. The musicians will perform original scores inspired by artworks on view in the Faculty Biennial.

Field trip program, curator-led tours, and workshops available by appointment throughout the exhibition. Stipends are available for K-12 schools or community organizations to offset the costs of transportation. Please contact University Galleries at Gallery@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-5487 to schedule an appointment.

University Galleries, a unit in the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, is located at 11 Uptown Circle, Suite 103, at the corner of Beaufort and Broadway streets. Parking is available in the Uptown Station parking deck located directly above University Galleries—the first hour is free, as well as any time after 5:01 p.m.

You can find University Galleries on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and sign up to receive email updates through the newsletter. Please contact Gallery@IllinoisState.edu or call (309) 438-5487 if you need to arrange an accommodation to participate in any events related to these exhibitions.