Allerton

Park & Retreat Center

Park Blog

A Q &A with Allerton’s Artist-in-Residence, José Gobbo

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MONTICELLO — Brazilian native, University of Illinois graduate and jazz guitarist José Gobbo is the current artist-in-residence at Allerton Park and Retreat Center, spending three weeks there practicing,  performing and composing. As a matter of fact, it is leading to a park-themed musical suite that is already being recorded. More on that later. Those wanting to hear Gobbo perform have two chances over the next week: A Facebook online session from the Allerton Mansion at 10 a.m. Thursday, … [Read more...] about A Q &A with Allerton’s Artist-in-Residence, José Gobbo

Artist In-Residence Highlight: Jose Gobbo

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José Gobbo, our second Spring 2022 Artist In-Residence, is currently living onsite at Allerton. Gobbo, a Brazilian jazz guitarist and University of Illinois Springfield faculty, moved to Iowa City in 2011 to pursue his master's degree in Jazz Performance before relocating to Champaign-Urbana in 2014, where he performed locally while pursuing his doctoral degree from the University of Illinois (completed in 2020). Gobbo plans to spend his time at the Park exploring intersections between … [Read more...] about Artist In-Residence Highlight: Jose Gobbo

Artist In-Residence Highlight: Simiya Sudduth

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We are excited to welcome multidisciplinary artist and art educator Simiya Sudduth to Allerton's 2022 Spring In-Residence! Simiya will live on the Allerton estate for three weeks this March, using the Park’s art, nature, and history to inspire her onsite creation. Simiya is currently living and practicing in St. Louis, MO. She maintains a "fluid creative practice" that explores the intersections of wellness, ecology, social justice and spirituality, and ranges from digital illustration, … [Read more...] about Artist In-Residence Highlight: Simiya Sudduth

Allerton’s Spring 2022 Artists In-Residence announced

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We are thrilled to announce the selection of  five artists selected for their Spring 2022 In-Residence, Rooting a Deeper Connection (RDC): Nicole Anderson-Cobb, Barber, Latrelle Bright, Jose Gobbo, and Simiya Sudduth. Each artist will spend three weeks living at the Allerton estate, 515 Old Timber Road, Monticello, between March and May. Allerton’s In-Residence program, which began in 2020, offers artists and naturalists the opportunity to immerse themselves in their work and find … [Read more...] about Allerton’s Spring 2022 Artists In-Residence announced

New Prairie Planting on the Purple Trail

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A half-acre opening in the woods along the Purple Trail was recently planted with high quality prairie plants (i.e., wild bergamont, purple coneflower, prairie dock, compass plant, rattlesnake master, black-eyed Susan) that will be full of color and blooms for our native birds, bees, and other wildlife. Thanks to the volunteers who harvested some of the seed by hand, and to Trish and Larry Kallembach, whose donation helped us purchase additional seed! … [Read more...] about New Prairie Planting on the Purple Trail

“The Struggle to Stop the Oakley Dam” Presentation

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“‘The Struggle to Stop the Oakley Dam’ will be the presentation at the next meeting of the Piatt County Historical and Genealogical Society, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 in the FS meeting room at 427 W. Marion St., Monticello. Bruce Hannon will tell the story behind the coalition of citizens — led by University of Illinois faculty members and Champaign conservationists to stop the dam — which would have flooded a portion of Allerton Park.” -Piatt County Journal-Republican … [Read more...] about “The Struggle to Stop the Oakley Dam” Presentation