Studio visit appears first in print, on Sundays. Here, Melissa Merli visits with artist Eric Burton of Champaign. In the Dec. 11 News-Gazette, we'll have a visit with Tom Brewer of Griggs Street Pottery.

Q: The fence you and Martha (Mills, his domestic partner) built is really cool. What kind of materials did you use?

A: It's treated lumber and fiberglass corrugated panels.

One time we were having lunch at Xinh Xinh Cafe, and they used corrugated steel panels as a design element. I jokingly said, "We could build one out of that." The idea marinated for a while. We decided we could use clear panels. It would be a privacy fence and allow a lot of light through.

Q: You make a lot of different things, don't you?

A: Yes, that's one of my weaknesses, I would say. I'm very much all over the map.

Q: What do you make?

A: I have a lot of partially completed sculptures. Most of them are mixed media. I use a lot of old electronics and incorporate those with plaster forms. And I've done plain plaster sculptures. I've also made furniture, and I paint when I can.

Q: What's your background?

A: My degree is in directing, from Millikin. While I was there, I took electives in 2- and 3-D design and aesthetics.

Q: Where have you directed plays — just at the Station?

A: Outside of school, yes. I directed a number of shows at the Pipe Dreams Studio Theatre at Millikin. I've designed sets for Millikin, Heartland and the Station. I also worked as assistant technical director a few years at Summerfest.

Q: How did you get interested in theater and the arts?

A: I was always very interested in art and building things. I was always a big Legos fan growing up. At Rantoul High School, I got involved in theater and was doing a lot of set work. When it came time to choose a career path for college, I decided directing would be a good nexus for all my creative and emotional interests.

Q: I was interested in your statement during your Pecha Kucha presentation that you believe art is revolutionary. Do you mean within society in general?

A: I would say within society and the world. I think I've always had a battle with the idea that I'm talented or more skilled and better able to make creative work than other people. My own perception is it's an ability everybody has.

I feel like the ability to make new things, whether they be music, writing, painting or theater, is inherent in all people. That ability to introduce new concepts and ideas is what makes for revolutions. We all have the potential to change the world through our creativity.

Q: Do you have much hope for the world, or do you think we're doomed?

A: Martha and I were discussing that recently. Logically, it seems very grim. But I think we all carry hope in different ways that obviously things can get better and be improved. I wouldn't have had a child (Alba, now 17 months old) and tried so hard and kept up with my different pursuits if I didn't think things could be improved.

And who's to judge? People have always complained, and the world's continued to turn. I've never presumed that I know the actual state of things at any moment.

Q: I saw on Facebook that you're involved in the Occupy C-U movement.

A: We're both involved, and we participate when we can. I've been going to the general assembly meetings every Friday, and they also have weekend street protests — and a camp-over last weekend at Scott Park. That was an extension of the street protests.

The whole beast is really interesting because the central philosophy is direct democracy. It's very disjointed right now as it organizes and finds a way of operating.

It's been really neat to get involved in a new thing. I didn't know any of the activists. I've been trying to figure out ways to contribute my different skills sets. I haven't yet, but I want to be part of it.