The Festival Celebrates Handmade Goods and Local Creativity
The Boneyard Arts Festival, hosted by 40 North, returned to Champaign-Urbana this past weekend, transforming the city into a vibrant showcase of local art and creativity. The three-day indoor market brought together over 50 venues and dozens of artists from across Central Illinois, highlighting the power of collaboration among organizations and businesses.
A Celebration of Diversity and Creativity
- Artists from all disciplines and expertise share and sell their work, highlighting the diversity of artistic expression
- The festival embraces all art forms, encouraging people of all backgrounds to participate and experience art in a way that feels personal and meaningful
- It showcases the many ways people in C-U choose to make and share art, celebrating creativity in all its forms
Featured Performances
The festival featured various performances, including a show by Herra Winn, drag queen extraordinaire, at The Space.
“Drag is more conceptual art, and conceptual art is still very much a valid form of art,” said Herra Winn. “My art is me. I put my makeup on my face, and I use that to show the world a good time. In these trying times, somebody has to be a light.”
Artists’ Perspectives
Stacey Storm, a retired teacher-turned-acrylic painter, shared her approach to art.
| Medium | Process |
|---|---|
| Vibrant Acrylic Paintings | Embedded with glass and textured objects, sealed with a resin finish |
| Personal Touch | Signs that say “Please touch” encourage visitors to interact with her pieces |
“I like to touch things, so when I see something like a beautiful piece of wood, I like to touch it,” said Storm. “So, I wanted my art to be touchable. A lot of times you see signs that say ‘Do not touch,’ but in my booth, you’ll see signs that say ‘Please touch.’”
More Artists and Venues
At the Gilbert Gallery, 42 artists were represented, both indoors and outdoors.
One artist, Alfonso Valdes, shared his approach to his art and music.
| Artistic Mediums | Disciplines |
|---|---|
| Small, Introspective Works on Paper | Based on still life themes, using oils, watercolors, pastels |
| Musical Interests | Guitar, ukulele, mandolin, and renaissance lute |
“I think with festivals like this, it is more of an event,” said Valdes. “I hope festival goers realize in general that there are people who do this … I hope people take away an appreciation, not just in my case, but for all the exhibitors, that some of us do this with our fingers.”
The Boneyard Arts Festival
Whether it is a drag queen performing on stage, the texture of a mixed-media painting or the quiet presence of a graphite drawing, the festival celebrates the many ways people in C-U choose to make and share art.
The Boneyard Arts Festival is a testament to the power of creativity and community.
