At the Red Oak Rain Garden’s second annual Illuminating Art in Nature event, visitors are once again invited to explore the magical intersections of art, ecology, and imagination. University of Illinois students in Professor Lindsey Stirek’s ARTJ 299 course have transformed the garden into an open-air art studio, where Studio Ghibli-inspired creations come to life among native plants and glowing pumpkins. Each installation invites you to engage, create, and discover how creativity connects us to the natural world.
The following activities are available at this year’s event:
Crafting Table
Yiwei Li, Tori Mays, Patricia Miszczak, Anh Do Tuong, and Ariana Zhang
Stop by the crafting table, where ARTJ 299 students share the joy of making art inspired by Studio Ghibli’s magical worlds. Create your own nature-themed craft that celebrates the wonder of the rain garden!
- Coloring Pages: Unique designs printed especially for the event. Supplies will be provided.
- Origami: Learn to fold a variety of designs guided by the students. Supplies will be provided.
- Totoro Bags: Take home a native plant seed pouch! Inspired by My Neighbor Totoro, students will help you wrap gray-headed coneflower and false sunflower seed sourced from RORG’s neighbor, the Dorner Drive Retention Pond.
Paint by Numbers
Dung Le and Lily Windmiller
Not a confident artist? No problem! Join in a pixelated “paint-by-number” experience using colorful 1×1-inch stickers and a coded grid to build a collective artwork inspired by Studio Ghibli films. Students will be on hand to guide you as the picture comes to life. One square at a time!
Scavenger Hunt
Chen Chiligiris, Vasu Dar, Xinran Hu, Humza Qazi, and Shang Sai
Embark on a Studio Ghibli–inspired scavenger hunt! ARTJ 299 students have brought to life the Warawara—glowing spirits from The Boy and the Heron—in the form of 20 painted rock figures hidden throughout the landscape. Each carries a special code. Collect them all to reveal a secret message and earn Ghibli-themed prizes!
Please remain along the garden’s sidewalks and surrounding lawn to protect our plants.
Caricatures and Stickers
Zee Bettenhausen, Terena Chen, Jasmine Gomez, Sophia Kim, and Sophia Liu
Take home a one-of-a-kind keepsake! ARTJ 299 students will create live caricatures inspired by Studio Ghibli’s whimsical style. While you wait, browse their collection of original Ghibli-themed stickers designed by the students themselves.
Character Sculptures
Joaquin Ancheta, Heidi Cha, and Izzy O’Day
Discover Ghibli-inspired sculptures created by ARTJ 299 students! These whimsical pieces bring beloved characters to life and invite you to pause, take photos, and enjoy how art and nature come together in the Red Oak Rain Garden.
Please remain along the garden’s sidewalks and surrounding lawn to protect our plants.
These installations highlight the creativity and collaboration that flourish when art meets nature. Many thanks to Professor Lindsey Stirek and the ARTJ 299 students for their hard work in making this portion of the event a success!
Red Oak Rain Garden 