According to writer Ursula K. Le Guin, “Any human power can be resisted and changed by human beings. Resistance and change often begin in art.”

Learn from creative locals who collaborate with others through art and music to craft beautifully transformative spaces in CU as we celebrate our talented neighbors who build us up as part of our nation's history!

Panelists:

• Since 1986, the Kalyx Center has facilitated the performing arts and environmental literacy in a secluded environment. Among many other things, Bill Taylor is its founder.

• Having taught three-dimensional studio art at Parkland Community College for over 30 years, Chris Berti observed firsthand the benefits of a studio art experience in a wide range of community members. 

• Cynthia Oliver is a 25 year Urbana resident, an award-winning choreographer / professor in the dance department and leads the Office for Art Integration at the University of Illinois.

• Emily McKown hosts the weekly Urbana Hootenanny Monday nights at the Rosebowl Tavern; the Hootenanny is an acoustic open stage, jam session, song share, and an all around supportive community of musicians. Emily and her co-conspirators aim to make the Hootenanny a stage of radical welcome while creating music that binds the community.

• Kayla Brown is the organizer of Toast to Taylor Street, a grassroots block party series strengthening community connections in downtown Champaign through music, creativity, and collaboration. 

• Loretta Gaffney is a founding organizer of the Graduate Employees' Organization (GEO) who teaches in Labor Studies at UCLA and is co-chair of UCLA UC-AFT. 

• Stacey Robinson, graphic novelist, curator, and DJ is an Associate Professor of Graphic Design, and Studio at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a member of Darker Than Blue Collective. The Collective spins a wide range of music to create peaceful dance environments for all to enjoy. Come chill, build, and be prepared to dance with the crew. 

• Warren (DJ MixZn) Smith supports the Darker Than Blue Collective as a DJ and social media content creator, helping shape its sound and online presence.