Another academic year has come to a close, but the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts is gearing up for the summer season. Visit one of our art exhibitions or join us for an annual favorite such as the Concerts on the Quad and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival.
Please note that the dates and times of events are subject to change, and this list may not include all events offered.
Follow Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts on social media, and keep up to date with Fine Arts news by visiting the University’s events calendar.
Illinois State University Student Art Gallery, Central Illinois Regional Airport
Exhibition: A Message to the Community
On view May 16 through September 16
A Message to the Community highlights the exploration of letterpress printing by students enrolled in Graphic Design History during Spring 2023. The exhibition delves into the concept of letterpress printing as an art form and how it can be used to convey messages to the community.
Student Art Gallery hours are consistent with the operating hours of the Central Illinois Regional Airport.
University Galleries, Uptown Normal
Exhibition: Emergence (Curated by Teen Art Group)
On view June 1 through July 16
Exhibition: Phillip Chen: No Ideas but in Things
On view June 5 through August 13
Exhibition: Selections from the Permanent Collection
On view July 24 through September 17
Community events including artmaking workshops are offered throughout the summer.
You can find University Galleries on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and sign up to receive email updates through the newsletter. For more information visit University Galleries at Galleries.IllinoisState.edu, email gallery@IllinoisState.edu, or call (309) 438-5487.
Concerts on the Quad
Concerts on the Quad returns this summer. Concerts are held at 7 p.m. on Mondays in July, are free and open to the public, and take place on the east side of Cook Hall (the castle) on the Illinois State University Quad.
For more information visit the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts website and follow Concerts on the Quad on social media.
Illinois Shakespeare Festival
Illinois Shakespeare Festival (ISF) announced its 2023 repertory season with three artistic offerings, including one Shakespearean comedy, one Shakespearean tragedy, and one contemporary play about the publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio. All plays will run in repertory. Tickets are on sale now.
The season will launch in June 2023 with The Comedy of Errors, last performed at the Festival in 2013. One of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, The Comedy of Errors is a farcical tale of separated twins and mistaken identities. This comedic romp is an ISF favorite that includes madcap bawdiness, love at first sight, unexpected reunions, and happily-ever-afters.
Following will be the ISF premiere of The Book of Will by Lauren Gunderson. Gunderson’s award-winning The Book of Will asks the audience to consider a literary world without Shakespeare’s First Folio and the iconic characters contained therein. Set amid the noise and color of 1620s London, The Book of Will presents a story of love, loss, and laughter.
The final performance in repertory will be The Tempest, last performed at the Festival in 2010 and widely believed to be the final play Shakespeare wrote. The banished noble Prospero harnesses the power of an otherworldly island to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck that includes the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Prospero seeks revenge but discovers forgiveness and generosity in this tale full of magical spirits.
Patrons can also anticipate other beloved staples of the Illinois Shakespeare Festival experience including a Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) production, Summer Camps for Youth, the annual John Stevens Memorial Golf Outing on Monday, June 19, and the unforgettable end-of-season Bard Bash and Cabaret on Sunday, August 6.
For more information visit IllinoisShakes.com, and sign up to receive the monthly ISF Friends Newsletter for special events, ticket offers, and behind-the scenes content.
