This year’s Champaign-Urbana Design Organization (CUDO) PRO SHOW will honor the life and work of Matthew Farrell, who passed away this past June. Matt, 29, was a CUDO board member and ran his own design business, Matthew Farrell Creative, out of the [co][lab] space in downtown Urbana. A graduate of Parkland College’s graphic design program, Matt specialized in developing brand identities for area businesses. A presentation of his design work will be on display during the event, which opens Friday, November 11th.
As expressed by former CUDO board member Amy Ali, “Matty will be remembered for his passion, his compassion, his way of listening and giving his full attention, his charm, his dedication, his ability to inspire others, his warm heart, his smile, his laughter, his creative and talented mind, his art, and of course, his amazing hugs.”
Hosted at the Gallery 217 in downtown Champaign, the CUDO PRO SHOW is an exhibition of innovative works by local designers, marketers, photographers, web developers, students, and other creative professionals. At last year’s 2015 event, over 100 entries were showcased, including print and broadcast advertising, apps, brochures, games, logos, packaging, posters, typography, videos, web design, and more.
The opening night reception, 5-9 p.m. on November 11th, will include beverages, light hors d’oeuvres, and live music provided by the Hot Iron String Band. The following Friday, November 18, CUDO will host its annual “State of the CUDO address” and member meet-up from 5–8 p.m. This event is open to CUDO members as well as the public, and beverages and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. The CUDO PRO SHOW gallery hours will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 12-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday between November 11th and November 28th at Gallery 217.
“C-U has an amazing community of highly-skilled creative professionals working in a wide variety of media, from print to web design to photography and film. To see their work collected and displayed at Gallery 217 is inspiring,” stated CUDO board member and PRO SHOW co-chair Liza Wynette. “It’s a great time for area residents to get to know the remarkable talent here in Champaign-Urbana.”
Co-sponsors of the 2016 PRO SHOW include Surface 51, Thunderstruck Design, Premier Print Group, Pixo, Dean’s Graphics, Fine and Applied Arts at Parkland College, Chris Brown Photography, Minuteman Press, 40 North, Mullen Media, Della Perrone Photography, Champaign Chamber of Commerce, Living Letter Press, Jessica Welland, Lola’s Brush, and Gallery 217.
The Champaign-Urbana Design Organization is made up of graphic designers, artists, photographers, marketers, writers, web designers, film makers, and a host of other design-minded professionals. Its mission is to cultivate a vibrant design culture that engages and enriches our local community. More information about the organization and the CUDO PRO SHOW can be found on the CUDO website.
Contact: Gloria Roubal
The Champaign-Urbana Design Organization (CUDO)
info@thecudo.org