UIS Visual Arts Gallery hosts annual Silent Auction Benefit featuring original works of art

The University of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery will hold its annual Silent Auction Benefit from December 2-12, 2013. This year, the auction boasts a wide range of high caliber works by artists from Springfield, throughout Illinois, and beyond. A closing reception, along with final bidding, will take place on December 12 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Visual Arts Gallery.

This annual fundraising event will feature an extraordinary range of work by artists who are celebrated locally and nationally. Artists Chris Britt, Mike Miller, Shane Harris, Felicia Olin, Thom Whalen, Kevin Veara, and Betsy Dollar are among the list of local artist donors. The list goes on to include Bloomington artists Erin Hayden and Mel Cook, Peoria artists Bill Conger and Ann Coulter, and Decatur artists Lyle Salmi and Molly Hesie. We also extend beyond the region, offering works from Chicago-based artist Dawn Gettler, Brooklyn-based artist Victoria Calabro, and Minnesota artist Liz Miller, among others.

This remarkable collection of donated works is accessible to the community through this annual Silent Auction Benefit, which supports gallery programming throughout the year.

“We work to bring in artists that have strong reputations and can offer original works. It’s always encouraging to see how artists, especially in our local community, donate their own work to support visual arts in Springfield,” said Jeff Robinson, UIS Visual Arts Gallery Director. “Now we look to the broader community for continued support through bidding. It’s likely one of the best opportunities to obtain an original work of art or even a functional, unique holiday gift, and very likely at a significantly reduced price. This auction is a chance for anyone to acquire a unique work of art and, at the same time, support programming here at the Visual Arts Gallery.”

The Silent Auction Benefit will launch bidding at the UIS Visual Arts Gallery on Monday, December 2, and bidding will remain open through Thursday, December 12. A December 12 reception, scheduled from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., will include complimentary refreshments as well as offer final bidding for auction items. This event is free and open to the public. The UIS Music Camerata will also be performing.

The UIS Visual Arts Gallery is centrally located on the UIS campus in the Health and Science Building, room 201 (HSB 201). Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on exhibitions, please visit the UIS Visual Arts Gallery website at www.uis.edu/visualarts/gallery, or contact the gallery by phone at 217/206-6506 or email Allison Lacher at alach3@uis.edu.

UIS Music Program presents Fall Showcase Concert

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Music Program presents its annual Fall Showcase Concert featuring performances by the UIS chorus, chamber orchestra, and band. The performance is free and open to the public.

WHEN: Friday, December 6, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Sangamon Auditorium, UIS

DETAILS: The event will feature a wide array of music with many pieces including traditional Italian, Chinese and Irish songs, as well as Holiday music. Highlights include Steve Reinecke’s “The Witch and the Saint”, a traditional Chinese arrangement of “Jasmine Flower”, as well as traditional carols “God Rest ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Sleigh Bells”.

The chorus, under the direction of UIS Associate Professor Sharon Graf, will open the Showcase with “December Snow” by Helen D. Bell.

Directed by UIS Assistant Professor Yona Stamatis, the chamber orchestra will perform selections including “Concertino Op. 107” by Cécile Chaminade, featuring a flute solo by UIS faculty member Abigail Walsh, and “The Conversation”, composed by Springfield composer Justin Child and arranged by UIS faculty member Brian Pryor. Xincheng Liu will also perform as a soloist.

Finally, Walsh will lead the band through selections including Robert Longfield’s “Italian Holiday” and Frank Ticheli’s “Amazing Grace”.

Donations are welcome and will be used to benefit the UIS Music Student Merit Award. The UIS Music program began in 2001 and is comprised of students, faculty, staff and alumni, as well as Springfield community members, all with a variety of skill levels. Anyone who is interested in joining the UIS chorus, band or chamber orchestra may contact Abigail Walsh at 217/206-7549 or music@uis.edu.

UIS Lunch & Learn Series presents “Quilts, Canvas and Women Artists”

WHAT: The University of Illinois Springfield Alumni SAGE Society and Illinois State Historical Society presents “Quilts, Canvas and Women Artists” as part of its annual Lunch and Learn Series.

WHEN: Thursday, December 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Room C/D, located on the lower level of the PAC on the UIS campus.

DETAILS: The expressive response by women to various environmental and societal conditions can be seen and felt through artistic expression. Angela Goebel Bain, assistant curator of decorative arts and history for the Illinois State Museum, will speak on “Civil War quilters: Loyal Hearts of Illinois.” Channy Lyons, writer and project director of the Illinois Women’s Artists Project, with a special interest in regional women artists and arts organizers in history, will speak on “Skirting Convention: Women Artists in Illinois, 1840-1940.”

The cost for the hot buffet lunch and program is $20/per person. Reservations are requested, as seating is limited. Seating is available in the back for those who do not purchase the luncheon buffet.

Visit www.uiaa.org/uis to register online. For more information, contact the UI Alumni Association at UIS at 217/206-7395 or email alumni@uis.edu.

UIS holds public forums on possible nickname/mascot change

The Student Government Association (SGA) at the University of Illinois Springfield is seeking feedback from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members about possibly changing the Prairie Stars nickname and mascot.

Three informational public forums will take place on Monday, November 18 at Noon and 5:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Residence Hall Great Room and on Tuesday, November 19 at 9 p.m. at The Recreation and Athletic Center at UIS.

At these forums the SGA and UIS Student Affairs will present information regarding the six names in the race to be UIS’ nickname/mascot (this includes Prairie Stars and Stars).

Following the presentation, the SGA will take general questions from anyone and also issue a ballot initiative to pinpoint your favorite nicknames/mascots from the presentation.

If you are unable to attend one of the forums and would like to provide feedback, please email uissga@uis.edu.