The Red Oak Rain Garden Extension Team presents our second annual Illuminating Art in Nature! On October 30, the rain garden welcomes the community in for an autumnal celebration.
Designed to spark curiosity while highlighting sustainability, this free, family-friendly event brings together imagination and environmental education in a magical setting. Centered around student talent, it features installations inspired by the films of Studio Ghibli, glowing jack-o’-lanterns, and an interactive educational fair!
Like the fleeting beauty of autumn, the exhibit 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.
Illuminating Art in Nature is hosted by Illinois Extension, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, University Housing, Fine and Applied Arts, and Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment, in partnership with Facilities & Services, Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation, Parking Department, Illinois Student Council, and Department of Crop Sciences.
The university plans to capture photographs and video of this event. Be aware that if you attend, you are consenting to the possibility that your image and likeness may be shared or published by the university for marketing-communications purposes.
Event Schedule
Thursday, October 30
- 4:30 PM – Event opens & Tea Ceremony
- 6:00 PM – Jack-o’-lantern lighting and judging
- 9:00 PM – Event concludes
About the Event
Studio Ghibli-Inspired Experiences
Enter an enchanted space where imagination meets nature. Guided by Professor Lindsey Stirek, students in ARTJ 299: Exploring Anime Through the Works of Studio Ghibli share whimsical outdoor installations and interactive activities that weave the wonder of Ghibli Japanese anime films with sustainability and ecological education. Highlights include Ghibli-style caricature drawings of visitors, crafting table with native seeds, large pixel art piece built from colorful sticky notes, and a fun scavenger hunt. You’ll also find art created especially for the Red Oak Rain Garden, perfect for a selfie station!
During your visit, use your phone’s camera to scan the QR codes on the event signs to learn more about each installation. Additional information coming soon!
Jack-O’-Lanterns
Seventy-five hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns light the Red Oak Rain Garden’s border, brought to life by Unit One/Allen Hall students with pumpkins from Garden Grove Florals in Le Roy, Illinois. Organized by Program Director Stephanie Huerta, each pumpkin shines with student artistry and festive spirit.
Environmental Education Fair
Discover, play, and connect with sustainability! Learn about the many ways student organizations and campus groups are bringing environmental awareness to life via hands-on activities and information. Visitors can learn about sustainability-focused programs, while engaging with students and organizations working for a cleaner, healthier environment.
The Red Oak Rain Garden team will host an event booth featuring local apple cider and plenty of opportunities to learn and connect. Team members, our volunteers, and Fine and Applied Arts students, will be on hand to chat about the rain garden and the unique Ghibli-themed installations on display. Staff will also share details about the exhibit, tips for creating and caring for rain gardens, and resources to help make your celebrations more sustainable and zero waste.
Event Sustainability
Caring for nature while celebrating it, our Certified Green Event prioritizes sustainability at every turn. LED and solar-powered lights are reused, pumpkin carving waste is sent to the University of Illinois’ Grind2Energy program, and all biodegradable materials are composted at the City of Urbana’s Landscape Recycling Center after the event.
Create Your Own Eco-friendly Autumn
Now it’s your turn! See below for ways to infuse sustainability into autumn at your home.
- Instead of garden mums, plant late-blooming native perennials, such as asters, that nourish pollinators when nectar isn’t as plentiful.
- Decorate with natural materials such as pumpkins, gourds, and leaves, and twigs that can be composted when the season is over. Consider your carbon footprint and buy locally. Illinois is the pumpkin capital of the world!
- 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.
- Looking for ways to get involved with sustainability on campus? Check out Facilities & Services sustainability initiatives.
- Grave of the Fireflies is a powerful Studio Ghibli film that reminds us of the quiet beauty and fragility of nature. Help protect fireflies and other insects by practicing environmentally friendly leaf management that also supports clean water. Whenever possible, leave the leaves where they fall or rake them into garden beds, making sure they stay off streets and away from storm drains.
Support the Red Oak Rain Garden
Illuminating Art in Nature is a free community event, but if you’re inspired by the creativity and care that go into it, we invite you to make a small donation to help fund the Red Oak Rain Garden.
Your support helps fund future plant installations, sustainability education, and community programs that connect people with nature. Every contribution — whether it’s $5, $10, or just some kind words — helps us continue creating programs where art and the environment shine together.
You can make a donation now through our support webpage. During the event, donations can also be made by scanning a QR code linking to the same page or with cash at the welcome table. Thank you for helping make this event and others like it possible!
Red Oak Rain Garden 
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