June 27, 2024 Image Tim Abel ‘08, MFA, brings a fresh perspective on community and creativity with his latest exhibition An Invitation: Community as Quilt. Abel's collaborative artworks redefine quilting with three-dimensional textures and vibrant colors by combining repurposed plastics, fiber arts, and found objects. Community as Quilt challenges traditional notions of quilting by transforming everyday materials into dynamic pieces that shimmer under natural and artificial light. Abel's innovative approach showcases artistic skill and fosters a deeper connection between art and local communities. "This quilt came together as an invitation to share space and asked for shareable work," explains the gallery's welcoming wall text, emphasizing the inclusive nature of Abel's creative process. An Invitation: Community as Quilt June 6, 2024–July 7, 2024 Illini Union Art Gallery (Urbana, IL) Learn More Tim Abel’s quilted community on view at Illini Union’s Art Gallery (smilepolitely.com—June 18, 2024) Explore more about Tim Abel