Downtown galleries showcase local art pieces at 9 venues

Bloomington celebrated the works of local artists Friday with the Downtown Gallery Walk from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at nine art galleries. \nPatrons braved the chilly winds outside to see the large variety of works of art available for sale around the downtown area.\nThe John Waldron Arts Center featured a large array of items for sale, from hand-blown glass Christmas ornaments to photographs, note cards and paintings. Music played while potential customers munched on snacks and walked around the gallery shop.\nBloomington residents Mike Waddell and Courtney Stewart said since the Gallery Walk was free and they didn't have any money, they decided to check it out. They said their favorite item they'd seen so far was a black and white photograph of a dilapidated barn, taken by photographer John Bower, who has published several books of photographs focusing on Indiana farms and architecture. \nSuzanne Halvorson, founder of the arts center, owner of the Fountain Square Mall shop, Yarns Unlimited, and charter member of the By Hand Gallery, also located in Fountain Square Mall, said the work in the By Hand Gallery, including pottery, woven scarves and more, also is all handmade, though it features work from artists all over the country. \nShe said the Gallery Walk created a lot of buzz for the galleries downtown. \n"A lot of people find us as a result of the Gallery Walk," Halvorson said. "It's really helped us to get on the map. It's really helped awareness of the gallery."\nAnother downtown spot for art, the Textillery Gallery, located in an upstairs corridor of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, featured the paintings of local artist Indigo Coleman. \nShe said it was exciting to have an exhibit at the gallery. \n"I haven't had a gallery show before," she said. "I've painted for pleasure, and (my paintings) have been given to friends or purchased by friends, but I've never shown a collection before, so I'm very, very excited." \nLocal painter Joel Washington, whose paintings of musicians are featured in the Indiana Memorial Union and the Laughing Planet Cafe, perused Coleman's brightly colored canvases at the Textillery Gallery. \n"I come (to the Gallery Walk) every year. I get inspired by it, and I know a lot of the artists in it. I like going because it's so inspiring," he said. \nTwo-year Bloomington resident Ruth Simon said since all the galleries are open, the Gallery Walk makes everyone feel welcome. \n"Where else can you go and get free goodies? Getting to see the artists in a short walking distance is the best part," she said. \nSimon said since she works within two blocks of downtown, it was convenient for her to walk around, make her purchases and just walk back to her car at work. \nDoris Sims, a Bloomington resident and City Hall employee, browsed the sparkling gem and mineral artifacts at Fossil Rain. \n"This is the first time I've been on the Gallery Walk. I was at Wandering Turtle with a friend, and I found out there was a gallery walk going on, and I decided to participate," she said. \nThere were also Gallery Walks on April 7, July 7 and Oct. 6 this year. For more information, visit www.artlives.org. \nThe nine galleries participating in the Gallery Walk included the Bellevue Gallery, 107 W. Ninth St.; the By Hand Gallery, 109 Fountain Square Mall; Fossil Rain, 115 N. College Ave.; Gallery North on the Square, 116 W. Sixth St.; the John Waldron Arts Center Galleries and Gallery Shop, 122 S. Walnut St.; Prima Gallery, 109 E. Sixth St.; the Textillery Gallery in the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.; TOP Gallery, 116 W. Sixth St.; and Wandering Turtle Art Gallery and Gifts, 224 N. College Ave.