Sketchbook features Bloomington

Bloomington has been chosen to be the focus of Indigo Custom Publishing's third addition to its City Sketchbook Series. The Bloomington Sketchbook will showcase the history, beauty, and traditions of the Bloomington community. The book will be a compilation of paintings of Bloomington landscapes, architecture, famous homes, downtown, parks, local events, festivals, and other scenes unique to the city residents' lifestyles.\n"In addition to a historical narrative on Bloomington, the opening section of the book will also highlight contemporary amenities available to residents and visitors throughout this vibrant and flourishing city," said Candace Botha, editor of the Sketchbook.\nThe book will also feature profiles of the more than 15 area businesses that have agreed to participate in the project. \nLeaders from the participating businesses and organizations will also be able to express their personal beliefs about what makes Bloomington a great place to live and work in a special section of the book that includes community leadership quotes.\nThe sketchbook project began in November 2002 and is sponsored by the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce in cooperation with the Bloomington Area Arts Council. Approximately 125 to 150 paintings will be selected by Indigo Custom Publishing and a committee of 30 area professionals. \nAlthough the project is running behind in terms of number of submissions, many more are expected to be submitted during the late spring and summer as more artists are now involved.\nThe book will feature local artists, both professional and amateur and will be used to promote the city of Bloomington nationwide. \n"The majority of artists who submit paintings are not professionals who make their living through art," said Henry Beers, publisher of the Sketchbook. "We are constantly amazed at the art we get from people who paint for fun or therapy." \nAnyone who wants to participate is encouraged to submit artwork.\nAll artwork will be done in watercolor or a similar media. The book will be a 10.5" x 9" landscape style format and released in the fall.\nPublication of the book has a four-fold mission as explained in the sales kit. Project coordinators hope to develop resources for the chamber's work on behalf of the Bloomington business community. They also hope to provide visibility for locals artists, enhance the existing partnership between the business and arts communities, and highlight the strong, productive ties between the community and IU. \n"The sketchbook promises to offer a very romantic and picturesque view of Bloomington, giving residents -- as a community -- an opportunity to put our best foot forward," commented A. John Rose, chair of the board of directors of the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce. \nThe first sketchbook project was completed in 1999, featuring Macon, Ga., and followed by another book two years later. The City Sketchbooks are also currently being developed in Kansas City, Mo., and Cleveland, Ohio.\nBeers said the Sketchbook series began while helping the Savannah College of Art and Design create a publication for its new Design Press department. \n"We were so taken by the artwork and the concept that we decided to pursue it further and developed a method for making similar publications available to cities across North America," Beers said.