BONEYARD ARTS FESTIVAL

hundreds of artists
dozens of venues
three days
two late nights
throughout champaign county

The arts express the spirit of a community - bringing life to its gathering places, its buildings, even the walls and the spaces in between. In Champaign County, during one special weekend in April, cafes become arts 'happenings,' law firms become galleries, restaurants and retailers become concert halls, and the streets are filled with the sounds and sights of theatrical performance - all at once!

The Boneyard Arts Festival, a unique annual countywide event produced by 40 North | 88 West, will take place April 18 through 20 and runs Friday from 4pm-2am, Saturday from noon-2am, and Sunday from 12-5pm. Musicians, dancers, actors and poets join sculptors, weavers, photographers, painters and other visual artists in sharing their creativity as Champaign-Urbana and the surrounding communities come alive with the art that lives here. More than a traditional arts walk, this three day festival showcases both the area's wealth of talent and the vitality of partnerships between its arts and entertainment community and local businesses.

Hit the streets during the 2008 Boneyard Arts Festival and dance to a different beat, enjoy painting, performance art or a heritage tour in downtown Urbana, or 80’s rock, video installation and interactive arts in downtown Champaign. Be sure to take a Sunday Drive during the last day of the Boneyard and explore venues outside C-U. Stay up late and dance to Vernon Reid - virtuoso guitarist, songwriter, composer and Living Colour founder - the headliner of Late Night spACE.

Want to know where you can hear and see more about the Boneyard? Follow this link.

Make Champaign County your canvas and leave your mark by touring the incredible sights and sounds of the Boneyard Arts Festival.

40 North | 88 West late night spACE
Friday and Saturday, April 18 and 19
9pm-2am

Habitat for Humanity Restore
119 E. University Ave.
Champaign

Building on a very successful tradition for late-night revelers, the Boneyard Arts Festival will once again feature late night spACE from 9pm-2am on both Friday and Saturday nights. Late night spACE is an immersive arts event featuring live interactive visual environments, light and sound installations, art exhibitions, performance pieces, dance and live music. Jason Finkelman is once again serving as spACE Artistic Director. 40 North is very proud to partner this year with Champaign's Habitat for Humanity Restore in providing a unique, edgy Late night spACE venue! Click here for details.

Leaping into The Pulse

Along with this online resource, info on 2008's Boneyard Arts Festival venues and artists will be presented in a new format with the first-ever publication of a special Boneyard edition of The Pulse magazine. Published by Boneyard Arts Festival sponsor The News-Gazette, The Pulse will dedicate its April issue entirely to the Boneyard and will feature detailed listings and maps to guide your way through the countywide displays, performances, kids activities and more that make up the festival. Watch The News-Gazette for your copy, or pick one up at an official Boneyard Arts Festival Information Station. In addition to The Pulse, this year’s venue and artist information will also be featured in The Buzz, published by Boneyard Arts Festival Title Sponsor Illini Media and THE217.COM!

Boneyard Arts Festival Signature Image

After evaluating nearly 50 outstanding submissions, a panel of local arts professionals selected, for the first time, a three-dimensional piece to be the featured image for the 2008 Boneyard Arts Festival. Images of the winning piece – a whimsical sculpture by artist Derek Winstanley entitled “Prehistoric Dolphin with Modern Technology” – will serve as the unifying visual theme for the 6th annual arts festival. 40 North | 88 West congratulates Mr. Winstanley and thanks all the artists who responded to the call and submitted work for consideration. For more, and to see the featured image, follow this link.