University Galleries of Illinois State University is pleased to present In Living Color from May 19 through August 10, 2022. This exhibition is organized by the Teen Art Group at University Galleries. All events are free and open to the public.
Exhibiting artists: Aaron Caldwell, Jess Dugan, Fidencio Fifield-Perez, Jin Lee, Melissa Oresky, Rashod Taylor, and Selina Trepp.
The Teen Art Group was founded in 2018 at University Galleries by director and chief curator Kendra Paitz, with support from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation—Mirza Arts and Culture Fund. Each academic year, up to 15 students from Bloomington High School participate in professional development activities, take field trips, and curate an exhibition. The 2021–2022 cohort was led by Kendra Paitz; Monica Estabrook, Bloomington High School art teacher; and Tanya Scott, University Galleries’ curator of education. The group visited artist professor Melissa Oresky’s studio and various studios in the Wonsook Kim School of Art; participated in art-making workshops, meetings, and exhibition tours at University Galleries; curated this exhibition, and developed ideas for educational workshops. The 2021–2022 Teen Art Group was supported by another grant from the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation—Mirza Arts and Culture Fund.
In Living Color presents works by artists the students learned about during the program. First, the students identified issues they were most concerned with, including gender, environment, outer space, anime, portraiture, abstraction, family, and racial issues. Then, the program leaders presented relevant artists and the group discussed. Originally, the group planned to select one artist to invite for a solo exhibition, but as they researched the artists and thought about relationships among the works, they decided to invite several artists to participate in a group exhibition. The students selected each of the works and their placement in the exhibition layout.
Events and programming
All events and free, open to the public, and located at University Galleries unless otherwise noted.
Exhibition reception
- Friday, June 3, 4-6 p.m.
Art-Making Workshops
All-ages artmaking workshop. Materials and instruction provided by University Galleries’ staff. No reservations required.
- Saturday, June 11, noon-2 p.m.
- Friday, July 1, 6-7 p.m.
- Saturday July 16, noon-2 p.m.
Sensory-Friendly Morning
Experience the gallery before opening hours. The lights will be dimmed, and video volumes will be turned down.
- Wednesday, June 15, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
- Saturday, July 30, 11 a.m.-noon
Field Trip
Field trip program, curator-led tours, and workshops available by appointment throughout the exhibition. Please contact University Galleries at gallery@ilstu.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.
