take a walk

With rain earlier in the afternoon Friday and threat of more showers to come, patrons of fine art grabbed their umbrellas and took to the streets of downtown Bloomington for the second Gallery Walk this season.\nThe Downtown Gallery Walk is a way for those who enjoy art to admire the talent of local artists. Nine galleries within walking distance from each other participate in this event giving people the chance to see the exhibits at their own leisure.\nArtist Beth McCall had work on display at the Buskirk-Chumley Textillery Gallery. Her exhibit, titled "Doors, Entries, and Passages," consists of photographs and collages of various doors and passageways throughout the region and the world. Some of the pictures were accompanied by short poems.\nOne of the works on display, "Mysteries of Life," is a memorial immortalizing the life of her favorite cat Babe.\n"I'll probably always take pictures," McCall said.\nThe intricate paper designs of local artist Deborah Klein donned the walls of the Flashlight Gallery of the John Waldron Arts Center. Klein creates her three-dimensional paper illustrations by carefully cutting pieces of paper and gluing them together into patterns. Patrons of the gallery said they were amazed at the delicacy and complexity of Klein's artwork.\nThe By Hand Gallery in Fountain Square Mall had an eclectic mix of artwork on display. Included in its unique collection, By Hand Gallery is currently showing artist Jane Jenson's paintings. \nJenson is best known for her watercolor painting of Indiana University scenes, but her work expands beyond campus art.\n"I love to paint flowers," she said.\nTricia Wente also has work on display at the By Hand Gallery. Wente focuses on portraits, landscapes and people interacting with the environment. \nWente said when she drives out West to visit her children, she often gets out of her car and paints a landscape on the side of the road.\n"They're real spontaneous and fun," Wente said.\nSome of the watercolors she painted on her roadtrip were included in her portion of the exhibit.\nMost of the galleries that participated in the Downtown Gallery Walk continue to display their featured artists' works throughout the month. The next gallery walk is October 1 at 5 p.m.\n--Contact staff writer Christopher Gagnon at cjgagnon@indiana.edu.