The Art Connection

THE ART CONNECTION: SCHOOLS TO LIBRARY series showcases artwork by up to 150 students from Champaign Unit 4 School District each year. The artwork is on view in the FriendShop Bookstore (lower level) and on the first floor in the Children’s area.

Since 2016, the exhibitions have been enjoyed by thousands of community members, including 2,500 student artists, family members, and teachers as guests at the opening receptions.

Stacey Gross, K–12 Visual Arts Coordinator for Unit 4, coordinates the art teachers who serve as curators. The Art Connection is presented in partnership with the Champaign Unit 4 School District.

Above: Artwork by Evie, Grade 5, Carrie Busey Elementary School

Exhibition schedule

Art teachers curate the Champaign Unit 4 student artwork on view:

November 2024 – February 2025
• Simone Bassett, Central High School
• Emily Pawlicki, Booker T. Washington STEM Academy
• Grant Thomas, Barkstall Elementary School

May – September 2024
• Tamara Mucher, Dr. Howard Elementary School
• Holly Hummel, International Prep Academy
• Melissa Farley, Bottenfield Elementary School

February – April 2024
• Amy Johnson, Westview Elementary School
• Amy Lozar, South Side Elementary School
• John Odum, Carrie Busey Elementary School

November 2023 – January 2024
• Scott Fernsberg, Jefferson Middle School
• Shane Rodems, Central High School
• Grant Thomas, Barkstall Elementary School

May – October 2023
• Carol-Lynn Comparetto, Central High School
• Emily Pawlicki, Booker T. Washington STEM Academy
• Kameron Phanrana, Centennial High School

February – May 2023
• Tara Starling, Centennial High School
• Madlyn Stevens, Franklin STEAM Academy
• Grant Thomas, Barkstall Elementary School

October 2022 – January 2023
• Whitney Huber, International Prep Academy
• Jill Kjorlien, Kenwood Elementary School
• Enrika Stulpinaite, Central High School

February 2020 – September 2022
• Ravyn Rodgers Drone, Central High School (through May 2020)
• Emily Pawlicki, Booker T. Washington STEM Academy
• Priscilla Putman, Stratton Academy of the Arts

October 2019 – January 2020
• Stacey Gross, Centennial High School
• Grant Thomas, Barkstall Elementary School
• Enrika Stulpinaite, Central High School

May – September 2019
• Melissa Hahn, Robeson Elementary School
• Shannon Percoco, Centennial High School
• Lolita Zwetler, Edison Middle School

February – May 2019
• Lucy Christianson, Franklin STEAM Academy
• Josh Doniek, Centennial High School
• Amy Lozar, South Side Elementary School

October 2018 – January 2019
• Melissa Farley, Bottenfield Elementary School
• John Odum, Carrie Busey Elementary School
• Enrika Stulpinaite, Central High School

May – September 2018
• Michael McLoughlin, Dr. Howard Elementary School
• Emily Pawlicki, Booker T. Washington STEM Academy
• Ravyn Rodgers, Central High School

February – May 2018
• Amy Johnson, Westview Elementary School
• Rachel Kinney, Centennial and Central High Schools
• Jill Kjorlien, Kenwood Elementary School

September 2017 – January 2018
• Scott Fernsberg, Jefferson Middle School
• Stacey Gross, Centennial High School
• John Odum, Carrie Busey Elementary School

May – August 2017
• Holly Hummel, International Prep Academy
• Megan Barber, Stratton Elementary School
• Grant Thomas, Barkstall Elementary School

February – May 2017
• Carol-Lynn Comparetto, Central High School
• Andrea Cox, Westview Elementary School
• Melissa Farley, Bottenfield Elementary School

November 2016 – February 2017
• Amy Lozar, South Side Elementary School
• Shannon Percocco, Centennial High School
• Lolita Zwetler, Edison Middle School

Made possible with support from the Library Friends.