Co-op gallery features locals

The heart of the Bloomington Playwrights Project building isn't related to theater. Instead, the lobby houses the Bellevue Gallery, a co-op exhibit space for Bloomington area artists. \n"In this town, there are very few places to get work shown," said Betty Sander, Gallery treasurer. "It's a bunch of artists who want to show their work."\nAccording to Bellevue's Web site, it is a not-for-profit gallery that exists to promote and enhance the area's educational and cultural experiences. It seeks to promote and support emerging and established regional artists. Members pay dues and pay to show work.\nEvery month, the board of the gallery's directors meets to discuss upcoming exhibits. Work related to Valentine's Day is being showcased during January and February. Running through March 10, "Sensual Diversity (Erotic Art)" is an exhibit that features photography, painting, drawing and sculpture that delights the senses. \n"What I do is abstract, inspired by landscapes from above -- looking out of the airplane window when I go to visit children in Oregon," Sander said.\nBellevue offers two levels of membership: Viridian and Alizarin. The first choice is a yearly membership, offering a couple opportunities for exhibition participation a year. The second is a monthly membership for local artists who would like to enter most of the shows. \nThe Bellevue Gallery is located at 312 S. Washington St. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.bloomington.in.us/~bellevue.