Illinois Art Station’s new program offers artistic experiences for local youth

Photo provided by Illinois Art Station

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois Art Station (IAS) provides activities and events for children and families of all backgrounds to get experience in the arts. 

Located on East Vernon Avenue in Normal, Illinois, the non-profit Illinois Art Station hosts events for the community to get involved with the arts. The mission of Illinois Art Station is to provide the youth and their families from all backgrounds with transformative experiences through the visual arts.

Local children between the ages of 3 and 18 are given the opportunity to learn about art and about themselves. Through hands-on activities, these young artists gain experience in the arts at the station’s drop-in art making, after school programs, camps, and classes. Every Saturday, the station puts on Saturdays at the Station. 

Saturdays at the Station offer drop-in registration for art making at the station from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For ages 2 to 14 and older, participants can explore IAS’s creation stations. Every fourth Saturday has free admission supported by the Town of Normal Harmon Arts Grant and the Bloomington Golden K Kiwanis. 

Executive Director Hannah Johnson said, “The way that we approach our art making is really informed by demonstrating how there can be a developmental impact based on early arts exposure.”

The station was founded by developmental psychologist Dr. Laura E. Burk, a professor in the psychology department at Illinois State University. Burk was inspired by a similar organization in New York and decided to bring that kind of organization to the Bloomington-Normal area. Originally part of the College of Arts and Sciences at ISU from 2018 to 2020, Illinois Art Station opened up its physical space in 2021.

Johnson elaborated on the station’s mission and goals for the community.

“Illinois art station is committed to equity and access and representation in the art making opportunities that we offer,” said Johnson.