EMERGENCE (curated by Teen Art Group)

University Galleries of Illinois State University is pleased to present EMERGENCE from June 1 through July 16, 2023. All events are free and open to the public.

University Galleries’ Teen Art Group, composed of students from Bloomington High School, developed the concept, theme, and layout of EMERGENCE. As the title suggests, this exhibition focuses on the process of “emerging” into the stage of adulthood. The organizers determined that all works should represent the journey out of adolescence and whatever the passing of this threshold means to the artist. They invited students from regional high schools to submit works for the exhibition. Participating artists are students at Bloomington High School, Bloomington; Fieldcrest High School, Minonk; Normal Community High School, Normal; and Washington Community High School, Washington.

Teen Art Group members include Jocelyn Anderson, Khushi Galpalli, Zoe Hernandez, Delilah Higgins, Will Hopper, and Adair Jackson. Exhibiting artists include Kellie Chen, Madison Cummings, Bella Gray, Maggie Grugan, Delilah Higgins, Will Hopper, Aaralyn McCullough, Maya Peterson, Nevaeh Spires, and AJ Westley.

The Teen Art Group was founded in 2018 at University Galleries by Kendra Paitz (director and chief curator) in partnership with Monica Estabrook (Bloomington High School art teacher). The inaugural year was supported by a grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation—Mirza Arts and Culture Fund. Each academic year, participants engage in professional development activities, take field trips, and curate an exhibition. The 2022–2023 cohort was led by Paitz, Estabrook, and Tanya Scott (curator of education). The group took a field trip to the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Cultural Center; participated in art-making workshops, meetings, and exhibition tours at University Galleries; met with artist Avantika Bawa within her site-responsive installation at University Galleries; and organized this exhibition.

Teen Art Group is supported by University Galleries’ grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation—Mirza Arts and Culture Fund.

Events and Programming

All events and free and open to the public.

• Thursday, June 8, from noon to 2:00 p.m.
  All-ages art-making workshop. No registration required. Materials and instruction will be provided.
  
  
• Saturday, June 10, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
  Exhibition reception and art-making workshop. An all-ages workshop will take place from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. The exhibition reception will follow from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. No registration required. Materials, instruction, and light refreshments will be provided.
  
  
• Saturday, June 17, from noon to 2:00 p.m.
  All-ages art-making workshop. No registration required. Materials and instruction will be provided.
  
  
• Free curator-led exhibition tours and workshops are available by appointment for classes and community groups. Contact Gallery@IllinoisState.edu to schedule.
  
  
• Additional workshops will be announced via University Galleries’ social media.

University Galleries

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.