Sports Art Series To Expand At State Farm Center

CHAMPAIGN – In March of 2020 the State Farm Center installed a vibrant art series by local artist John Jansky just inside the Main West entrance of the building titled State Farm Center Icons by Jansky. The two panels flanking the main entrance exhibit legendary entertainers and athletes who have brought their talents to the historic arena in Champaign. It’s time now to expand the series and fan voting is now open to help choose the Illini Icons to be featured!

Illini Athletics and State Farm Center have announced six finalists, three of which will be chosen via fan vote to join current Chicago Bulls rookie Ayo Dosunmu and Illini Women’s Basketball great Jenna Smith on the new wall of the current display. The six finalists include Nick Anderson, Kenny Battle, Bruce Douglas, Derek Harper, Eddie Johnson, and Deon Thomas, all of whom are amongst the greatest Illini Men’s Basketball players of all time.

Fans can vote for up to three of the six finalists by visiting StateFarmCenter.com/Icons and clicking the button at the top of the page.  Voting is open now and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, February 6.  Those who vote can also share their name and contact information to have a chance to win a painting of one of the Illini they vote for.

The 10 initial icons on display represent the diverse history of events at State Farm Center, formerly the Assembly Hall, since its inception in 1963. The entertainment icons include Garth Brooks, Elton John, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and Prince; while the Fighting Illini Basketball icons featured are Ashley Berggren, Dee Brown, Kendall Gill, Lou Henson, and Deron Williams. In time, the installation will be expanded to include new icons, chosen with the help of the public. Stay tuned.

More About John Jansky

John Jansky is a self-taught artist and performance painter based out of Danville. His first show was in Champaign and he most recently performed for 15,544 Illini fans while painting Ayo Dosunmu at halftime of the sold out Illini Men’s Basketball game against Michigan on January 15. After posting videos and photos of his work to social media, he quickly became a sought-after performer for engagements all over the country. He has performed at the annual Red Hot Winter event, Illini Basketball halftime, and additional benefits, concerts, and charitable events. His dynamic pop art portraits are painted and completed in under eight minutes.

Of the State Farm Center Icons display, he states, “Many of the musicians that have performed at the State Farm Center were the soundtrack to my life and influenced me to want to be an entertainer. It makes sense to display Jansky Art paintings in the very venue that created the memories and emotion that inspired me to become a live art entertainer rather than a traditional art gallery. To have my art on display in such an iconic location is beyond what I had ever imagined. I hope that my art adds to the exciting and creative atmosphere of the State Farm Center as well as inspires someone else to live their dreams.”