The Red Oak Rain Garden (RORG) Extension Team presents Illuminating Art in Nature! During the last week in October, the rain garden is nature-themed art venue thanks to a partnership among several campus and community departments and organizations.
Illuminating Art in Nature celebrates art, sustainability, and natural cycles. Centering student talent and creativity, this event features a fine art sculptural exhibit and glowing jack-o’-lanterns in the fall brilliance of our rain garden. This exhibit, like the fleeting beauty of autumn, is meant to be temporary. Our goal is to leave no lasting environmental impact, but to create lasting memories that inspire you to host your own sustainable events.
Location and parking information
Event Guide with artwork locations and descriptions
Schedule
October 29-31: Ephemeral Experiences Art Exhibit
Created by Art Studio 252 and Art Education 475 Students
- The exhibit will be installed by 5 PM on October 29 and will remain on display through October 31.
- Open for public viewing throughout each day, illuminated at night.
- During your visit, use your phone’s camera to scan the QR codes on the event signs to learn more about each piece.
October 29-30: Jack-O’-Lantern Display
Carved by Unit One/Allen Hall Students
- Judging will begin on October 29 at 6 PM.
- The jack-o’-lanterns will be available for public viewing during the day and will be illuminated from 6-9 PM on both evenings.
October 29-30: Event Booth
The Red Oak Rain Garden team will host an event booth from 6-9 PM. Local apple cider will be available, and team members, along with Fine and Applied Arts students, will be on hand to answer questions about the rain garden and the art installations. Staff will be onsite sharing information about the exhibit, rain gardens, and resources for making your celebrations zero waste.
About the Art Displays
Ephemeral Experiences Art Exhibit by ARTS 252 & ARTE 475 Students
The fine art exhibit’s theme is Ephemeral Experiences, exploring fleeting childhood memories and nostalgia. Featuring 16 sculptures created by Art Studio 252: Making and Meaning students and curated by Art Education 475: Art Exhibition Practices students, the exhibit is guided by their respective Teaching Assistant Professors, Lindsey Stirek and Somi Lee. The artists integrate their work into nature using biodegradable materials that leave no trace, while curators gain hands-on experience arranging environmentally responsible exhibitions.
Jack-O’-Lanterns by Unit One/Allen Hall Students
Fifty jack-o’-lanterns line the Red Oak Rain Garden border, featuring pumpkins supplied by Garden Grove Florals in Le Roy, Illinois. Carved by Allen Hall students, with event organization from Unit One/Allen Hall Program Director Stephanie Huerta, each pumpkin showcases designs inspired by RORG’s native plants and the wildlife that the rain garden benefits, such as owls and bats.
Event Sustainability
Illuminating Art in Nature is committed to ensuring minimal environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. This event incorporates biodegradable materials, including pumpkins and the sculptures’ natural elements. During pumpkin carving, refuse was added to the University of Illinois’ Grind2Energy program. After the event, jack o’ lanterns will be composted at the City of Urbana’s Landscape Recycling Center. Sculpture materials also will be composted. The exhibit’s LED and solar-powered lighting will be reused.
Our event is certified GREEN! That means we have successfully completed the iSEE Certified Green Events Program, and have incorporated sustainability actions into our event.
Sustainable Resources for You
- Did you know that pumpkins in landfills create greenhouse gases as they decompose? Illinois Extension Pumpkin Smash events provide an opportunity to drop off pumpkins and keep them out of landfills. Alternately, put them in your own compost bin.
- Decorate with natural materials such as pumpkins, gourds, and leaves, and twigs that can be composted when the season is over.
- Instead of garden mums, plant late-blooming native perennials, such as asters, that nourish pollinators when nectar isn’t as plentiful.
- Consider your carbon footprint and buy locally. Illinois is the pumpkin capital of the world!
- Looking for other ways to get involved with sustainability on campus? Facilities & Services recently released a holistic, campus-wide digital guidebook.
Red Oak Rain Garden 
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