If you'd like to see what some graduating seniors in the University's School of Art + Design are doing with found objects and salvaged materials - including objects and materials purchased from The I.D.E.A. Store - check out the "Flagg Hall Senior Show: BFA Extension." The exhibition opening begins at 7 p.m. and runs through late night on Saturday, May 4. Flagg Hall is located at 1207 S. Fourth St., Champaign.

The show, an extension of the Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibition that opens May 4 at the university's Krannert Art Museum, is a collection of solo shows featuring work by seniors in the art school's Advanced Studio. The exhibition also may be viewed on Sunday, May 12, from noon to 6 p.m.

The students exhibiting art featuring repurposed materials are among a larger group of exhibitors. They include The I.D.E.A. Store volunteer Mikako Takai, who also was one of the artist-vendors selected to participate in the store's "Hatch" creative-reuse art fair earlier this year. Other students in the UI exhibition with work created from found materials are Josh Fairbanks, Andrew Jones, Alexandra Lock, Katherine Maubach, Hugh Sato, Alison Sunseri and Sarah Spread.

"Most of the materials used are found objects, fabrics, sewing notions, and raw materials such as scrap metal and wood," Mikako said. "These materials are incorporated into artwork such as sculpture, often in a way that showcases the physical qualities of the original material. The repurposed materials are in sense being transformed into artwork meant for appreciation in a gallery setting.

"Many of us are using materials from the store to create a conversation about ideas around the materials themselves, whether it be a critical look at consumerism or the emotional attachment one can have for items that have previously been owned by an unknown figure."

Mikako noted that students Andrew Jones and Lauren Bloom also are making labels for the exhibition by laser-cutting materials from The I.D.E.A. Store, rather than printing paper boards that are traditionally used by galleries.

In her artist's statement, Sarah Spread concurred, noting that The I.D.E.A. Store has been her "go-to supply store because it's affordable, convenient and you'll find totally unique items there each time you visit."

Sarah described much of her work as "comprised of embroidery hoops, fabric, thread, beads craft flower, etc. from The I.D.E.A. Store.

"Since my artwork relies heavily on the traditional feminine craft of embroidery, I feel that in using these salvaged materials, I am appropriating the work of women from past generations."

Another exhibiting student, Andrew Jones, is also appropriating from the past, in effect. In his statement, Jones indicated that "a big influence" on his art has been working a maintenance/construction job, "where I often am tasked with tearing out entire living spaces, inside and out, and assisting in their reconstruction. During this process there is a lot of waste, not only the coming out but also the inevitable scraps from the new materials going in."

Access to construction waste and "an undying affinity for scrap metal," has, he said, given him "access to unthinkable amounts of material that otherwise would have ended up in a landfill." 

'Hatch' workshop participants making      plastic-cap mini murals

"Hatch" - The I.D.E.A. Store's creative-reuse art festival held this past March - was an inspiration for many of us. And Visiting Artist-in-Residence Michelle Stitzlein's plastic-cap mural with South Side Elementary School students and her mini-mural workshop at the store were both great successes.

Participants will receive hands-on instruction on the basics of making a "Plastic-cap Mini Mural" using plastic bottle caps and lids. They will learn, step-by-step, the procedure for collecting, cleaning, designing with and attaching plastic caps to create a 2 x 2-foot small-scale mural. The 2-hour workshop will give participants time to get a good start, but they may need to be finished home.

We will supply a pre-painted plywood base, a palette of plastic bottle caps and lids as well the appropriate screws. Class participants will need to bring:

* a battery-powered drills with batteries/chargers (a magnetic drill bit would also be helpful).

* old gardening gloves, old pillows/blankets.

* goggles and hair ties for those with long hair.

* additional pre-cleaned plastic bottle caps to add to the mix (optional).

Embellished photos make great personal gifts

Environmental Outreach Coordinator

The official celebration of Mother's Day will be 99 years old this year, and some traditional gifts for mom have stood the test of time. Flowers, jewelry, greeting cards and phone calls were among last year's favorites, but since personalized gifts are extra-special, you could choose to show your mom who she's raising (or raised) with an image of you - made by you! A personal

Aiden's hanging Mother's Day card

photo is a fine start, a springboard for revealing your deeper layers in a self-portrait. Fortunately, The I.D.E.A. Store has lots of materials you can add to share your feelings, represent favorite life experiences, play up your unique personality, and just make your mom proud to receive this one-of-a-kind gift. 

INVEST.   DEVELOP.   ELEVATE.  ACHIEVE.