UIS and Community Health Roundtable to present “Local Physicians at the Front Lines of COVID: Nine Months of the Pandemic” webinar

As part of the Springfield Innovation Hub, the University of Illinois Springfield and the Community Health Roundtable will offer a free public webinar on “Local Physicians at the Front Lines of COVID: Nine Months of the Pandemic” from 12-1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20. 

As we enter the holiday season, Sangamon County COVID-19 tracking metrics continue to break records and pressure on already-stressed local healthcare capacity continues to grow. State and local officials have recently instituted new mitigating measures hoping to reduce the increased threat of the virus on public health. 

The webinar will let participants know what to expect in Sangamon County in the days to come, what it is truly like on the front lines combating and treating this virus and what people can do to protect themselves and loved ones over the holidays. 

Dr. Brian Miller, chair of the Sangamon County Board of Health and a cardiologist at Prairie Cardiovascular, will discuss experiences from the Sangamon County Department of Public Health. 

Dr. Vidya Sundareshan, co-chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at the SIU School of Medicine, will talk about the anticipated trajectory of the virus and vaccine for Sangamon County. 

Dr. Raj Govindaiah, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Memorial Health System, will discuss about the impact of the virus on local health systems. 

Dr. Peter White, chief of the division of pulmonary and critical care at the SIU School of Medicine, will talk about the current conditions in the ICU. 

Participants can watch the webinar on Zoom at https://uis.zoom.us/j/82909791596 or call 312-626-6799 to participate by phone (Meeting ID: 829 0979 1596). Registration is encouraged, but not required at go.uis.edu/COVIDwebinar. 

 For more information, contact Bruce Sommer at 217-899-3186 or bsomm2@uis.edu. Past UIS webinars can be found online at go.uis.edu/Webinars.

UIS Visual Arts Gallery to hold its online Silent Auction and Benefit starting Monday, Nov. 16

TheUniversity of Illinois Springfield Visual Arts Gallery Silent Auction and Benefit is moving online for 2020. The Silent Auction and Benefit, featuring original works of art donated by local and regional artists, will launch on Monday, Nov. 16 and will remain active until final bidding at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3.

Artwork up for auction can be viewed and bids can be placed online at 32auctions.com/uisvisualartsgallery.

Proceeds from the annual auction provides for gallery programming throughout the year and allows the UIS Visual Arts Gallery to bring the Springfield-area ambitious exhibitions by emerging and established artists. The auction will feature a variety of media: painting, collage, ceramics, sculpture, prints, glass and more, donated by artists and donors in Springfield, central Illinois, St. Louis and Chicago.  

Springfield artist Corrin Smithson McWhirter is one of many local artists that supports the UIS Visual Arts Gallery auction every year. 

“As an artist, I donate artwork to support contemporary art access for young collectors,” McWhirter said. “As a bidder I love getting artist's work into the community and supporting a local gallery sharing contemporary work.”

Jeff Williams, another prominent local artist, shares his enthusiasm for this annual fundraising event.

“I love supporting the UIS Visual Arts Gallery,” Williams said. “It's one of the mainstays and flavors of the area's visual and conceptual arts community. The energy of bidding on different pieces is always something I like… even when someone sneaks a bid in on a piece you want at the last minute!”

As always, the UIS Visual Arts Gallery looks to the loyal community to champion their work. Community members are encouraged to visit the online auction and bid – or donate directly to the gallery as a show of their support. NPR Illinois is the media sponsor for the 2020 UIS Visual Arts Gallery Silent Auction.

For more information, visit uis.edu/visualarts/gallery or contact the gallery at 217-206-6506 or alach@uis.edu. 

UIS Theatre to live stream performances of John Patrick Shanley’s “Rogues’ Gallery”

The University of Illinois Springfield’s Theatre Program is proving that the show must go on, even during a pandemic, by live streaming six performances of John Patrick Shanley’s “Rogues’ Gallery” for free online.

Live streamed performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6, 7, 12, 13 & 14 and 2 p.m. Nov. 8.

In order to watch a free performance, you must reserve a ticket at UISpac.com/events/rogues-gallery-uis-theatre or visit the UIS Ticket Office, located on the second level of the Public Affairs Center, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday or call 217-206-6160.

“Rogues’ Gallery” is a collection of monologues from the imagination of Pulitzer Prize–winner John Patrick Shanley that delves into the allure of bad behavior and the absurdity of being human.

“Ten magnetic characters. Ten bizarre, explosive, and darkly humorous stories,” is how Dramatists Play Service describes the production.

“Rogues’ Gallery” is directed by UIS Theatre Professor Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson. UIS Associate Professor of Theatre Dathan Powell serves as the scenic designer and technical director. 

Cast members include UIS students Jenna Fleming, Regina Ivy, Will Moffett and Nia Tiller, along with community member Rich McCoy.

The crew is made up of UIS students Sierra Buske, Ryan Cour, Chip Deiss, Megan Doan, Makai Grant, Molly Harms, Sally Hixon, (Na)Kaya Hughes, Claire Larson, Charlotte Medina, Jordyn Pate, Michael Smothers and Jack Tadla. UIS staff members on the crew include Janet Ferry-Campbell, Sabrina Holmes, Michael Taylor and Mark Verduin.

For more information, contact Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson at 217-206-6613 or ethib1@uis.edu.