“The Art & Soul of Bloomington” is about using Bloomington as an inspiration for art, the Venue Fine Art & Gifts curator Gabriel Colman said.
“People have such a visceral reaction to our community,” Colman said. “We wanted to try and capture what it is about this area that inspires people to want to stay or be involved. What is a better way to express that inspiration than with showing art?”
The Venue’s juried art show includes 25 pieces of art corresponding with the theme of capturing the spirit of the town, he said. “The Art & Soul of Bloomington” opened on April 2, and will run until May 5.
A jury of three judges, including Colman, selected the top two pieces. Visitors have the opportunity to cast their vote for the People’s Choice Cash Award, which will be announced in May.
“We wanted to offer an aspect of it that was interactive with the community, beyond just the three judges that selected the best in show and silver best in show,” he said.
Best in show was awarded to an oil painting called “Sample Gates” by Susie Gregory. The work depicts two major aspects of Bloomington, Colman said.
“Some of the reasoning that was expressed with the award was that in one image you’ve got IU, which clearly has an impact on the community, and the actual embodiment of the main street of Bloomington itself — Kirkwood,” he said. “This piece very much captured a combination of aspects that make Bloomington attractive.”
The jury awarded the silver best in show to John Woodcock for his photograph “Hudsucker Posse on the Street at Lotus.”
The work portrays a group performing with Hula-Hoops at the Lotus Festival, Colman said. The movement of the Hula-Hoops is captured as swirl-like images in the photograph.
“It’s got an interesting composition, it’s colorful and it’s something you’re only really going to see in Bloomington,” Colman said.
The show consists of more than paintings and photographs. “The Art & Soul of Bloomington” also includes works such as a tapestry and a sculpture.
He wanted the show to have a varied selection, Colman said.
“We didn’t want to have six paintings of the Sample Gates or the Square,” he said.
While some pieces clearly illustrate places in Bloomington, others are more abstract, Colman said.
“If someone wants to submit a picture of the Sample Gates, that might speak for itself, but people who have submitted more non-representational pieces of work. We wanted to give them the opportunity to express their inspiration,” he said.
This is the first juried art show the Venue has been presented with this particular theme, Colman said. Past shows have featured artists from Bloomington High School North and Bloomington High School South.
“The Art & Soul of Bloomington” is a way to showcase the many positive parts about Bloomington, Colman said. He does not want to take the town for granted, he said.
“I want to encourage people to look at it as inspirational and at least attempt to grasp the concepts of what makes our community as dynamic and diverse and exciting as it is,” he said. “I do feel like we have been successful doing that with this show.”
