High Cross Art Studio

1101 North High Cross Road
Urbana, IL 61801

contact: Joanna Vaughn
lavest@sbcglobal.net
217-417-4694, or 217-344-6972

History
Originally designed and built by well-known artist and UIUC professor Frank Gallo in the 1980’s, the studio was home to Gallo’s “Editions in Cast Paper” as well as other 2D and 3D creative ventures. In 2002 Joanna Vaughn, a Texas-based artist/art educator, purchased the property. During the subsequent 4 years, High Cross Art Studio has provided studio and exhibit space for over 2 dozen visual artists. The Paper, a continuation of Champaign-Urbana’s alternative weekly, published its graphic and literary creations from High Cross Art Studio for one year.

Located on approximately 3 acres in the rural residential/agricultural landscape of Northeastern Urbana, the studio is surrounded by trees and lawns, with views of farm fields and the ever-changing sky. This natural setting has been a significant source of inspiration for several High Cross studio artists.

Mission
The primary purpose is to provide an environment which fosters artistic excellence and creative growth of the individual artists working there. The professional art world can be high-pressured and competitive. Mrs. Vaughn believes there is a need also for a less-competitive, more mutually supportive workspace for serious visual artists. It is her hope that High Cross Art Studio will be such a place, and as such will make a positive contribution to the art world and to the Champaign-Urbana community.