Jan.

4, 2018

Spring Bloom Festival is Making Dreams Come True for Illinois State Art Student

By Samantha Wilp, Illinois State University Student

Illinois State University senior, Marisa Owens, has gotten the opportunity to display her artwork
at the Spring Bloom Arts Festival this spring. The festival will be held at Illinois State
University’s Bone Student Center in the Brown Ballroom.

Owens is a glass-blowing major and spends her spare time crafting glasswork that can be large,
small, colorful or plain. She plans on bringing a large variety of her work to the Spring Bloom
Festival.

“Ever since I heard about Spring Bloom, I knew that I wanted to be a part of it. The art program
here at Illinois State is pretty small, but I want to represent it with my artwork and the progress I
have made in my major,” said Owens.

Owens got the news that she will have a stand at the Spring Bloom Arts Festival this summer.
She said it has been a dream of hers since she first started as an art student. She will be one of 70
other artists participating in the Fine Arts Festival.

Carmel Rhoda, the Office Manager at the McLean County Arts Center frequently attends
festivals and shows throughout the Midwest and has enjoyed becoming involved in the local arts
community.

“As a Illinois State graduate myself, I was happy to see that Marisa took the initiative to apply.
We are excited to have locals as well as people traveling from all over the country for Spring
Bloom. It’s a very exciting time,” said Rhoda.

In order to be displayed at Spring Bloom, the artists must go through an application process and
be selected by the McLean County Arts Center. They are looking for unique art in the categories
of ceramics, fiber, glass, graphics, jewelry, photography, painting, sculpture, wood, and others.
The application deadline is January 14, 2018.

Visit Owens and other artists at the Spring Bloom Festival on March 17, 2018. For more
information, go to http://www.mcac.wildapricot.org/Festivals or email staff at info@mcac.org.
June 20, 2018

Sugar Creek Arts Festival Brings One of a Kind Artwork to Normal

By Dana Durante, Illinois State University Student

Husband and wife, Philip and Glenda Gangler, have been waiting all year for this moment.
Through the year, the Ganglers have spent their days outside viewing the world in a new and
exciting way. Using their creative eyes and their cameras, they photograph the simplest items in
a beautiful light.

The Ganglers are no strangers to the Sugar Creek Arts Festival hosted by the McLean County
Arts Center. Every July they come out to Uptown Normal to display their photographs taken all
around the world. Visitors from all around the McLean County will be able to see these
photographs in person on July 14 and 15 at the Sugar Creek Arts Festival.

A common theme through their collection is nature. Popular pieces include luscious palm trees,
sandy beaches and vibrant flowers.

When submitting new artwork for the 2018 Sugar Creek Arts Festival Philip Gangler​ ​said, “We
find inspiration all over. Sometimes just in our own garden, others around town or on vacation.
The Sugar Creek Festival is one of the best places to show our work to fellow Normal residents.”

Mediums other than photography are showcased at the Sugar Creek Arts Festival. Due to the
large variety of pieces, everyone will find an artist they can relate to. People who are fond of the
French sculptor, Auguste Rodin will be pleasantly surprised by the sculptures created by artists
who come as far as Kansas. There will also be collections made from glass, wood and fiber. The
assortment of art doesn’t stop there. Jewelry, ceramics, graphics and traditional paintings will be
displayed as well.

The McLean County Arts Center Executive Director,​ ​Doug Johnson, can’t hide his excitement
for this year’s event.

Johnson said, “This is one of our most popular festivals we put on. I take great pride in knowing
that people travel out of state just to show their work to the citizens of McLean County. I’m
never disappointed in the unique art we showcase.”
Artists must go through an application process before officially submitting their work. The Arts
Center wants to ensure the art presented is diverse and truly one of a kind pieces. The Gangler
duo’s photographs​ ​are a perfect example of one of a kind art.

Visit the Sugar Creek Arts Festival to see the Gangler’s photography and much more on July 14
and 15. Saturday is from 10-5 and Sunday is from 11-4. Entry is free but donations encouraged.
For more information visit mcac.wildapricot.org/SCAF or email staff at info@mcac.org.