Common Ground strives to be the center of a vibrant inclusive community that is alive with art.
Our gallery is located in our highly utilized Flatlander Classroom, a space dedicated to connecting the community, facilitating educational opportunities focusing on healthy living, and providing access to local artists. This multi-use space is ideal for integrating the arts into the urban environment and creating partnerships among artists, the community, and businesses.
Current Flatlander Gallery Art Installation
Stop by the Flatlander Art Gallery to see the newest installation featuring the work of Toria Baez. Each piece allows the viewer a glimpse into the world of parenting.
Parenting is a challenging job, but along the way there are many moments of whimsy and joy. When our children notice the world around them, its beauty is revived for us, and if we’re lucky, our ability to notice, see, and take it all in is heightened. As babies age, caregivers experience cute moments that arise from babies simply exploring the world. If you’ve spent time with children, you might be aware of how easy it is to personify objects and animals, and your storytelling skills may have strengthened as well.
“Nursery Art & the Heart of Parenting” is an art project meant to acknowledge the joy parents share with their children, document it through art, and share it with the community. Through interviews, I listened and noticed where imagery arose from individual child rearing experiences. I then made personalized nursery-esque artwork based on each parent’s experience. These creations will be shared during Boneyard and into early May in honor of Mother's Day. For those interested in purchasing a work of art for themselves or as a Mother's Day gift, I will have prints from my newsletter, "art as i go...", original floral paintings, and illustrations for sale.
Artist Statement:
Toria Baez is a visual artist based in Urbana, Illinois, working in painting, illustration, and quilting. She moved from Chicago to complete her degree in art education at the University of Illinois and chose to stay – for a slower pace of life, nature, and local arts culture.
Toria likes to create artwork with the hope it will offer people a moment of joy or delight. Her paintings often draw inspiration from the beauty of flowers. This subject matter allows her to focus on playing with shape and color to create interesting organic shapes. Her illustrations are inspired by motherhood and her infant daughter, often depicting silly baby moments or playful imagery akin to nursery art. Her quilts are an exploration of repurposing second hand or cherished textiles, mixing shapes to form patterns and color combinations. These labors of love are usually intended for family and friends, especially for expectant or new parents.
Toria hopes that everyday life and motherhood will continue to inspire her work. She plans to continue featuring paintings and prints in her local community, while also dedicating more time to illustration – with the long term goal of illustrating children’s books.
For artist inquiries, email Toria Baez: toriabaezart@gmail.com
Art Gallery Reception
Friday, April 10th from 4-6pm
Meet the artist and enjoy light refreshments.
Art Gallery
Show Your Local Art in Our Art Gallery
Our Co-op Art Gallery applications are currently closed but we will open up applications in May 2026! The 2025 Cycle is closed.
Local Food For All Mural
Design by Madelyn Witruk
This project was funded by a 2021 grant from the Urbana Arts and Culture Program and the mural was designed by local artist, Madelyn Witruk. The mural encapsulates images of the local food movement, food access, diversity of Urbana residents, cultural cuisines, and highlights imagery from our local farms, like Blue Moon Farm, Sola Gratia Farm, and Prairie Fruits Farm & Creamery. This artwork aims to serve as a celebration of Urbana's uniqueness, including its strong local food system, its vibrant art community, and its warm, inclusive culture.