Founded in 1973, University Galleries of Illinois State University is one of the premier exhibition spaces for contemporary art in the Midwest. Its mission is to foster the understanding of contemporary art within the university and community, while providing support for artists at pivotal points in their careers. University Galleries produces exhibitions and interpretive programming that reflect the shifting dynamics of contemporary artistic practice. Consistent with its university heritage, it cultivates a laboratory of expression that embraces various approaches to creating and experiencing art. It brings socially engaged art, performance, and experimental process to its region, while furthering the careers of artists through residencies, exhibitions, publications, and funding for new projects.
University Galleries, Illinois State University
Dianna Frid, El ritmo es la fuerza (Mayakovsky weaving #2), 2025. Undyed wool and wool dyed with cochineal and / or pericón (targetes lucida), felted with wool. Made with natural dyes, in collaboration with Lili and Antonio’s weaving workshop—Liliana Vásquez and Antonio Mendoza, Teotitlán del Valle. 53 x 32 1/4 in.
Dianna Frid, Las rimas unen a las lineas (Mayakovsky weaving #1), 2025. Undyed wool and wool dyed with cochineal and/or pericón (targetes lucida), and/or huizache (vachellia farnesiana); felted silk. Made with natural dyes, in collaboration with Lili and Antonio’s weaving workshop—Liliana Vásquez and Antonio Mendoza, Teotitlán del Valle. 55 1/2 x 32 3/4 in.
Dianna Frid, Nuestra maquinaria se ha hecho muy compleja (Anni Albers, on the loom), 2025. Undyed wool and wool dyed with cochineal and/or pericón (targetes lucida), felted with silk. Made with natural dyes, in collaboration with Lili and Antonio’s weaving workshop—Liliana Vásquez and Antonio Mendoza, Teotitlán del Valle. 55 1/4 x 32 3/4 in.
Dianna Frid, Writings on Rhythm, 2024. Wool, canvas, silk thread dyed with cochineal, aluminum foil, pochote fiber, paint mixed with green quarried stone, and colored pencil. 76 x 38 1/4 x 13 1/4 in.
Brittany Nelson, Solaris Window, 2023. Silver gelatin print, 32.375 x 74.25 inches.
Brittany Nelson, Tracks 1, 2019. Bromoil photograph, 42 x 67 inches.
See Also
“We strive to support institutions that share our artist-centered values. The small grassroots arts organizations as well as the museums that comprise our grantees provide invaluable opportunities for artists to express their unique perspectives on the pressing urgencies of the day. We hope that our grants help to amplify artists’ voices within their communities, in national discussions and debates, and across platforms in the international contemporary art world.”
Joel Wachs, President