University Galleries of Illinois State University is pleased to present the 2024 Alumni Spectacular from January 16 through February 20. The exhibition and events are free and open to the public.
The Alumni Spectacular celebrates University Galleries’ 50th anniversary and the talented alumni who have been such a rich part of our history. An open-call invitation was sent to alumni from the Wonsook Kim School of Art and Creative Technologies program. 182 artists who graduated between 1968 and 2023 are participating. All submitted works are displayed. The result is a vibrant exhibition that fills the entirety of University Galleries with artists’ books, ceramics, collages, drawings, fibers, graphic design, jewelry, paintings, photographs, prints, sculptures, videos, and technology-based works.
Artists whose works will be featured include Dan Addington, Nicolas Africano, Stephen J Albair, Mariam Alcantara, Les Allen, Angel Ambrose, Michael Amis, Rich Ankeney, Sheila Asbell Allen, Japheth Asiedu-Kwarteng, Veda Rives Aukerman, Jayme Banzhoff, George Barreca, Daniel Berlin, Richard Boschulte, Jan Brandt, Mariko Brown Harkin, Rosemary (Layendecker) Buffington, Tamara Burgh, Frank Bush, David Buxton, Cindy Colaw Caldwell, DeVonn Caldwell, Jane Camp, Felicia Cannon, Amber Carroll, Sargylana Cherepanova, Derek W Clem, Nancy Colbrook, Bill Conger, Megan Coonelly, Maggie Crowley, Allison Cummings, Catherine Davis, Jack Davis, Jacob DeGeal, Martin DeWitt, Doug DeWitt, Ted Diamond, Michael Dubina, Daniel DuBravec, Robert DuGrenier, Michael A. Dunbar, Herb Eaton, Rhea Edge, Gerard Erley, Tim Even, Adam Farcus, Angie Fassett, Clair Felde, Lisa M Fillipponi, Holly Filsinger, Rita Finnegan, Peytin Fitzgerald, Nicholas Flatley, Dick Folse, Mark Sumner Forth, Brian Frink, Ari Garcia, Ben Gardner, Joann Goetzinger, Michael Gary Goldberger, Steve Gossard, Amber Gravett, Haley Gray, Shea Grehan, Suan Guess-Hanson, Sam Guymon, Chris Hagen, Shahrbanoo Hamzeh, Rick Harney, Kasey Hayes, Gina (Theison) Hechinger, Barbara Hertel, Kirsten Heteji, Rebecca Hodel, Robert Holcombe, Sandra Holt, Kevin Hopkins, Beth M. House, James Huddleston, L Hugenberg, Gina Hunt, Sam Ingram, Zahra Irannezhad, Jean Janssen, Lauren Jenkins, Douglas C. Johnson, Whitney Johnson, Ariele J., Mary Jungels Goodyear, Megan Kathol Bersett, Wonsook Kim, Tim Kowalczyk, Chris Kukla, Christopher Lackey, Jeremy Langston, Bonnie Lauber-Westover, Kim Laurel, Emily Lehman, April Lewis, David Linneweh, Lisa Lofgren, Emma Long-Ingram, Miriam Loory Krombach, Garrett Luczak, Schuyler Maehl, Camila Marianela, Ed Martens, Michael “Mac” McAvoy, Joe McGuire, Geraldo Migues, Barbara Miller, Emily Minton, Barrymore Moton, Tess Murphy, Dann Nardi, Laura Newman, Sandra Oglesby, McLean Oglesby, Alissa Palmer, Ryan Paluczak, Laura Primozic George, Krista Profitt, Jim Reckard, Todd Reed, Randy Reid, Beatrix Reinhardt, Lori Robeau, Dawn Roe, Brent Rusk, Stoney Samsoe, Reid Sancken, Nick Satinover, Gloria Ann Schabb, Karen Schaschwary Brinker, Peg Schickedanz, Patrice Schweitzer Nelson, Tom Seibert, Bert Sharpe, Tricia L. Shaw, Grace Sheese, Harry William Sidebotham II, Lyzz Lundberg Sidebotham, Brian K Simpson, Tate Skinner, Wendi Smith, Adrienne (Marek) Smith, Rachel Smith, Phil Smith, Meda Rives Smith, Jeff Smudde, Colin Snyder, Hannah Songer, Carrie Stapleton, Rick Steinburg, David Stratton, Megan Stroech, Jessica Tackes, Katherine Tauscher, Sarah Tolmie, Lindsay Trevizo, Natalie Troyer, Laney Turner, Tom Turner, Dennis Neal Vaughn, Alánna, Marissa and Leica Tonkovic, Erik Waterkotte, Dylan Yvonne Welch, Jacob Wesslowski, Lesa Westerman, Chris Wille, Linda Willis Fisher, David Wilson, david a woesthaus, Amy Wolfe, Amy Yeager, Lawrence Zajac, Micah Zavacky, and Keith Zimmerman.
Previous iterations of the Alumni Spectacular occurred in 2010 to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and in 2015 to celebrate University Galleries’ new location in Uptown Normal. The exhibition was originally planned to take place again in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Alumni Spectacular is the focus of multiple programs. University Galleries’ staff will lead art-making workshops for Illinois State University students, families, K-12 students, and community members. Sensory-friendly hours and scavenger hunts are available. Free virtual and in-person curator-led tours are available by appointment. Workshops and field trip reimbursements are supported by the Lori Baum and Aaron Henkelman University Galleries Community Fund.
Events and programming
Friday, January 26, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Independent drawing hour. No registration required. Materials provided.
Saturday, January 27, from 11 a.m. to noon
Sensory-friendly hour. Experience the gallery before opening hours. The lights will be dimmed, and video volumes will be turned down.
Saturday, January 27, from noon to 2 p.m.
Drop-in artmaking workshop for all ages. The focus will be bas-relief sculptures. Materials and instruction provided by University Galleries’ staff. No registration required.
Saturday, February 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, February 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Extended hours for viewing Alumni Spectacular
Friday, February 9, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Independent drawing hour. No registration required. Materials provided.
Saturday, February 10, from 11 a.m. to noon
Sensory-friendly hour. Experience the gallery before opening hours. The lights will be dimmed, and video volumes will be turned down.
Saturday, February 10, from noon to 2 p.m.
Drop-in artmaking workshop for all ages. The focus will be bookmaking. Materials and instruction provided by University Galleries’ staff. No registration required.
Saturday, February 17, from 11 a.m. to noon
Sensory-friendly hour. Experience the gallery before opening hours. The lights will be dimmed, and video volumes will be turned down.
Saturday, February 17, from noon to 2 p.m.
Fiber sculpture workshop inspired by Jan Brandt’s artwork. Brandt will assist with the workshop. Materials and instruction provided by University Galleries’ staff. Registration required. Previous experience with hand-sewing is beneficial.
Field trip programs, curator-led tours, and workshops are available by appointment throughout the exhibition. Reimbursements 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 Twitter, 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.
