"I believe that the role of the poet laureate is above all to bring people together," says Ashanti Files. "It is to expose our neighbors to our hidden talents."
According to Urbana-based artist and author Marc-Anthony Macon, the best part of working in the Absurdist style is that "no one can tell me I’m doing it wrong. Just get to skip that step altogether."
How can local arts experiences help cultivate inspiration and relieve stress for the year ahead?
Megan Montgomery's debut novel Well... That Was Awkward is smart, sexy, and surprisingly sophisticated in its undermining of romance novel tropes.
"Apply, Dear Reader. Your creative work is worthy. Find collaborators, dream big, and bring innovative arts and culture projects to the City of Urbana. There is a place for it here," Rachel Lauren Storm, City of Urbana Arts & Culture Program Coordinator.
Matt interviews Judy Lee, founder of the downtown Urbana fabrication studio Made in Urbana to learn their secrets to success during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Even with the limitations of lockdown, C-U drag performers are still finding safe ways to keep their art form alive. And they won’t be letting up any time soon.
The story of Michael Roughton's young elfin heroine may be what we all need to get through this lonely COVID winter.
The winter holiday arts line-up may look a bit different this year, but with locally-sourced gifts to give and receive, there's still plenty to celebrate.
At a recent Small Press Fest workshop, zine expert Dr. Spencer Keralis guided us through the history and culture of zine-making and what makes it so inherently queer.
"It has made us very aware of taking care of each other. We are even more attentive to the culture with which we make theatre and what of the ‘old normal’ can be scrapped from this experience," says Genesee Sprido about producing theatre in COVID times.
The rise of a global pandemic in March flipped the theatre industry upside down— nevertheless, the show must go on. Here’s how Parkland College Theatre is making it through.
The Arts Section strives to celebrate our community's rich and vibrant artistic scene, from theatre to local authors, film, performance art, and everything in between.
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