Decking the City Halls

Portraits of Hoagy Carmichael and John Mellencamp, as well as other local celebrities, will line Bloomington City Hall throughout December.

The Bloomington Boys and Girls Club’s fourth annual winter art show showcases young painters and serves as a fundraiser for the club’s art program.

Funds generated from the show will go toward purchasing new art supplies for children at the Bloomington location as well as clubs in surrounding towns.

The show will feature more than 100 works, all created by kids from the Bloomington club.

Paint-splattered shelves of the club’s art room are full of artwork ready to be shown to the community. Out of 100 paintings, 12 will be for sale. The paintings will cost about $300.

Club member Ayana Harlow said her favorite part of painting is blending the colors
together and creating something beautiful.

“I’m really nervous, what if nobody likes my painting?” Harlow said as she put finishing touches on her piece.

Harlow said she has been working on a portrait of Mellencamp for the past three weeks and it is finally ready for the big show.  

Jenna Beasley, the club’s art director, spearheaded the showcase this year.

After hours of preparing the artwork for presentation, Beasley said she hopes to raise $1,000 to $3,000 for the club’s art program.

“The show is an opportunity that isn’t always open to the kids in public schools,” Beasley said. “It’s inspiring to see them work so hard for this and then getting to present at such an important place.”

The official opening ceremony will take place Friday and feature performances by the Boys and Girls Club choir and IU’s Singing Hoosiers.

“Having an artistic outlet helps the kids in every aspect of their life,” Beasley said.
“The sense of accomplishment and pride in the kids inspires me as an artist and their teacher.”