Allerton’s recent Visiting Resident, Jose Vazquez, has loved art since he can remember. “I think since I could hold a pencil, I knew exactly that’s what I wanted to do,” he said. “I wanted to do something in art.” While growing up in Chicago in the 80s and 90s, he was exposed to a lot of the “hip hop culture,” including graffiti, and was amazed at kids from his neighborhood who were doing public murals in spray paint. “I ended up being one of those kids who got into a ‘crew’ as a young … [Read more...] about Visiting Resident: Jose Vazquez
Musicians, painter are spring 2025 artists-in-residence
MONTICELLO — A piano/vocal duo that has performed together for two decades and a Southern California-based contemporary painter and sculptor will be the Spring 2025 Artists In-Residence at Allerton Park & Retreat Center. Champaign-Urbana native and professional vocalist Tania Arazi Coambs will team with Russian-born and trained pianist Larisa Chasanov during a residency March 9-20, while artist Dodd Holsapple will be on site from March 10-31. Coambs and Chasanov are no strangers to the … [Read more...] about Musicians, painter are spring 2025 artists-in-residence
CHEF DELVALLEY DRAWS ON NATIVE INFLUENCES
Chef Benny DelValley began working in kitchens at age 16, and has worked in many over past 20 years with different styles, from seafood to Spanish and tapas. (First was Scully’s Chicken and Fish in Urbana.) He has been an executive chef and has worked in catering. “I really don’t have a culinary identity because I have just been exposed to so many cultures because of my family and my upbringing. I just love everything.” DelValley’s mom is registered with the Native American Community. He … [Read more...] about CHEF DELVALLEY DRAWS ON NATIVE INFLUENCES
Upgrading Accessibility Through Major Projects
Allerton Park and Retreat Center is in the midst of three projects that will increase accessibility at the Monticello-area park. They include the first phase of an off-road multi-use path, power chairs that will soon be available to check out, and continuation of the park’s first fully accessible woodland trail. The trio of efforts have been at least partially funded by state and local grants, as well as private donations. The multi-use path, which received a $130,110 grant from the … [Read more...] about Upgrading Accessibility Through Major Projects
John Gregg Allerton’s room restored in memory of his niece, Jane Schowalter
It is common for staff at Allerton Park and Retreat Center to hear stories from visitors who have fond memories of the 1,500-acre park, which was donated to the University of Illinois by Robert Allerton in 1946. But a history like that of the late Jane Gregg Schowalter is not one they hear very often. Donations made to Allerton in memory of Jane have been used to restore the former bedroom of her uncle, John Gregg Allerton, the decades-long companion and legally adopted son of Robert … [Read more...] about John Gregg Allerton’s room restored in memory of his niece, Jane Schowalter
Can you find the new fu dogs?!?
If you look verrrrrrry closely, you may see some new statues sitting regally atop the pedestals in the Fu Dog Garden. Thanks to the generosity of David and Debra Rathje, four new fu dogs were cast and produced by Colin Dyck of Mudslide Stoneware in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Staff recently put them in the garden, allowing for the restoration of pieces that had the most significant wear after being displayed outdoors for more than 90 years. Seen here are Allerton staff Leo Kinsella and Luke Rund … [Read more...] about Can you find the new fu dogs?!?
Allerton featured in Midwest Living
"The historic Allerton Park and Retreat Center unfolds like a set from Bridgerton… In the early 1900s, artists and socialites traveled to an Illinois estate to relax and create. Now you can, too, at the state’s first folk school." Those are the words of writer Ceil Miller Bochet, whose profile of Allerton can be found in a recent issue of Midwest Living. The article continues: “For the past decade, the University has offered arts and crafts programming at the estate, setting the stage … [Read more...] about Allerton featured in Midwest Living
