The primary goal of 8 to CREATE is to provide an opportunity for students to gain professional art and design experience and to engage in the Champaign-Urbana community. Students are involved in all aspects of planning the event in order to gain practical experience. The event is open to the public to observe, engage, and participate in the creative process. All artwork is temporary; no artwork is sold.

8 to CREATE has two secondary goals:

1) to make the typically private process of creating artwork accessible and open to the public for observation, engagement, and participation; and

2) to break down institutional and social hierarchies by bringing together a mix of artists from a variety of experiences and affiliations in one creative space.

photography: Ethan Taira