The Eric Show is a juried high school art show that was established in 2010 and is endowed by Dale and Peg Steffensen in memory of Dale's son Eric (1951-1970). Throughout high school, Eric won several awards for his outstanding artwork and demonstrated creativity that was far beyond his years. He worked with Rob Fisher, then a sculpture professor at the University of Illinois, and began preparing his portfolio with plans of majoring in art at UIUC. Eric had graduated a semester early from Urbana High School but while driving home from a hockey game in early 1970, he was killed by a drunk driver at the corner of Race and Michigan streets in Urbana. 

The Eric Show honors Eric's legacy as well as encourages the amazing young artists of this community.

At the special 10th Anniversy of the Eric Show in March 2019, over 200 pieces of artwork from more than 190 high school students were on display including paintings, drawings, photography, ceramics, pen & ink, pastels, and multi-media.