Parkland College's Giertz Gallery, in collaboration with 40 North: Champaign County Arts Council, will host the "Illinois All-State Art Exhibition" from June 8 to July 23, 2026. The juried showcase features contemporary Illinois artists aged 18 and older, with works created after January 2023. This year's juror is Misa Jeffereis, associate curator at the Contemporary Art Museum in St. Louis, who selected 45 participating artists from across the state. The exhibition includes an opening reception on June 11 and a closing reception on July 23 with a gallery talk by Jeffereis.
The exhibition matters because it provides a vital platform for Illinois artists to gain exposure and recognition, connecting them with curators, collectors, and gallery owners. As Giertz Gallery Director Lisa Costello notes, such statewide juried shows are important for artists' career advancement, networking, and encouraging new work. The event also serves as a community gathering point, reinforcing the role of regional art institutions in fostering local artistic talent and public engagement with contemporary art.