State Farm Center is excited to unveil a brand-new collaborative art installation with its campus partners at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. The artwork was installed as part of the Institute’s Art of Science exhibit series and joins a variety of similar displays in other prominent locations throughout the state of Illinois and across the country. The exhibits are intended to help educate and connect the public with the incredible scientific research work being done right here on our campus.

“I’m delighted that Art of Science has made it to State Farm Center, one of the premier venues in Illinois and across the country, and I thank Illinois Athletics and the venue’s staff for their collegial partnership,” said IGB director Gene Robinson. “We hope that fans will enjoy the science that animates these stunning images as they take in an exciting Illini game or show on campus. I-L-L!”

John Marquardt, Associate Director of Athletics / Director of State Farm Center, added, “We’re proud to play a part in showcasing some of the amazing scientific research being done on our campus to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who enjoy Illini basketball games, our diverse entertainment lineup, and many other campus and community events each year. The Art of Science display will do just that, while adding visual appeal to a portion of our public concourses. We thank the IGB for their partnership and hope it assists in furthering their noble mission!”

Named after Illinois professor of microbiology Carl R. Woese, who discovered the third domain of life, the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology advances life science research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and meaningfully engages with the public to understand the impact of genomic research. Through fundamental and applied research in genomics and multi-disciplinary team science, the IGB tackles societal issues in the areas of food security, energy, health, technology, and environmental conservation. IGB members are drawn from many schools and departments, sharing a common goal of a particular grand challenge—developing more effective cancer therapeutics, creating more efficient and robust food and fuel crops, or uncovering the origins of life.

The IGB’s Art of Science program is a celebration of common ground between science and art. Each exhibit comprises images from IGB’s research portfolio, enhanced to highlight the beauty and fascination encountered daily in scientific endeavors. The Art of Science includes subjects from the microscopic to the holistic, from the physical to the abstract. AoS is one of the first of IGB's outreach initiatives to relate science to the broader public in a relevant and beautiful way. The first Art of Science exhibit took place in 2011 and has since hosted a yearly exhibit open to the public.