John Waldron Arts center features abstract quilts inspired by nature

The Bloomington Area Arts Council recently unveiled its first exhibit of the new year at the John Waldron Arts Center. The Rosemary Miller Gallery, where the opening reception was held last Friday, features artists Linda Meyer Wright, Daren Pitts Redman and Dixie Ferrer. The Flashlight Gallery will feature the quilts of Linda Cole.\nThe exhibit will run through Jan. 27.\n"These artists presented a variety of specialties from 2-D modeling, quilts and even some mixed media," said Heather Lynn, the council's special-events coordinator. "It's really something that everyone should come down to see when they have a chance."\nAll of the artwork is on sale, and 60 percent of the profit will go to the artists, Lynn said.\nLinda Cole has 11 quilts on display at the John Waldron Arts Center. She based the series on trees and their natural beauty, using photographs and the view from her patio as reference. Cole said she got most of her inspiration from 1960s artists, such as Ellsworth Kelley, who use a variety of neon colors in their work. Cole is working with another artist to help create quilts, which will be presented to nine winners of the arts council's leadership award from Monroe and surrounding counties. \n "Even though we live in Indiana and the sky is usually gray and dismal in the winter time, I still like to use bright colors all year-round," said Cole, who uses fabric to represent nature in the abstract by using curves and three dimensions. "I never use gray in any of my work; bright colors are much more appealing and cheery." \nThe exhibits are free to the public. The John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St., is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.