Pillar Arts 2025 Annual Report

Our Mission

The mission of Pillar Arts is to strengthen and sustain the
arts by connecting artists, cultural organizations, and artistic
endeavors with patrons and the community.

2025 Annual Report Summary

Pillar Arts experienced a year of significant growth and transition. Following our rebrand from the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington, we paused programming for two months to complete a gallery move from our former location to the current Arts Alliance Center at College Mall.

Since reopening, we’ve celebrated our most successful year in sales to date while continuing to support and promote the work of regional artists through exhibitions, workshops, and community programs.

In 2025, we also reached an exciting milestone with the acquisition of the historic By Hand Gallery at Fountain Square Mall, expanding our presence and deepening our commitment to making the arts accessible, visible, and thriving throughout Bloomington

Event Highlights

• Represented over 100 local and regional artists across Pillar Arts Alliance Center and By Hand

• Also hosted:

  • Innovation & the Arts Workshop with Alain Barker

  • Multiple painting workshops (Jason Bailey and Avon
    Waters)

  • Recurring bellydance classes

  • Student art shows

  • Gallery Walk exhibitions

  • Kyle Quass Creative Residency

  • Co-sponsored Paint Bloomington in Bryan Park

  • Launched Grand Opening for Pillar Arts Alliance Center

  • Hosted the 5th annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair

  • Received support from Indiana Arts Commission, City of Bloomington, Psi Iota Psi, and National Endowment for the Arts

Events & Activities

CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

• Painting workshop with Avon Waters

• Painting workshop with Jason Bailey

• Innovation & the Arts Workshop with Alain Barker

• ‘Write Your Own Love Poem’ workshop

ART EXHIBITS

• Monthly exhibitions in Pillar Arts Alliance Center

• Monthly exhibitions in Pillar Arts By Hand

• Student art shows

• Participant in Arts Mile Gallery Walk

• 5th Annual Arts and Crafts Holiday Show

PERFORMANCES

• Nature Walk led by Roger Hangarter

• Ceremony for Our Land by Artists for Climate Awareness

• Kyle Quass Creative Residency

• Call for Musicians

• Call for Poets

• Fickel Pickin’ Circle

• Pangaea Sky

• Gabriel Jenks

MOVEMENT CLASSES

• Bellydance Classes with Donna Carlton

• Ballroom Dance Classes with Lisa Wickes

MEETINGS

• Bridging Creativity & Conservation with Avon Waters
• Annual Membership Meeting, Gala Round the Table
• Pillar Arts Alliance Center Grand Opening
• Monthly Board Meetings
• Regular AAC Artist Meetings
• Non-profit community groups utilize Arts Alliance Center for meetings at no cost

Board of Directors

Outgoing Directors in 2025:

• Sarah Asher

• Tom Duffy

• Ryan Irvin

• Veronica Shallcross

• Beth Henkel

Continuing Directors in 2026:

• Carol Rhodes

• Henry Leck

• Donna Barbrick Carlton

• Natalia Almanza

• Bob Appelman

• Danielle Bruce

• Victoria Fields

• Camryn Greer

• Suzanne Halvorson

• Becky Hill

• Rohi Matondo

• Thomas Parmer

• Charles R Pearce

• Alexis Pruitt

• Matt Rice

• John Skolak

• Emily Waldo

• Minka Wiltz

Advisory Council

Advisors:

• Malcom Abrams

• John Armstrong

• Bob Arnove

• Babette Ballinger

• Alain Barker

• Baba Berry

• Kenneth Buzzard

• Patricia Cole

• Krista Detor

• Pablo Fuentes

• Tom Gallagher

• Sally Gaskill

• Gabe Gloden

• Mary Grogran

• Dena Hawes

• Ursula Kuhar

• Sara Laughlin

• Denise Lessow

• Mike McAfee

• Miah Michaelsen

• Martha Moore

• Gerard Pannekoek

• Brad Schiesser

• Irina Shishova

• Jaime Sweany

• Steven Versaw

• Holly Warren

• David Young