We also have some news to share about the Pillar Arts Alliance Center. Our lease at College Mall will end next month, and our final day in the current space will be Friday, June 14. We’re actively searching for a new location that will help us continue to grow and serve the local arts. You’ll find more details below and we’ll keep you updated as we navigate this next chapter. Thank you all for your continued support.

In the meantime, there’s no slowing down. Between the Alliance Center and By Hand, we have multiple events in the coming weeks from Gallery Walk to live music and creative workshops. Follow along with our schedule on Instagram and Facebook.

Pillar Arts is on the Move

Events with Pillar Arts

Pillar Arts Alliance Center Artist: Carol Rhodes

Beyond her artwork, Carol plays a vital role in the Bloomington arts community. She is president of Pillar Arts (formerly the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington), co-founder of Artists for Climate Awareness, and a longtime educator with Ivy Tech’s Center for Lifelong Learning. Her work reflects dedication to both creative growth and community involvement.

Pillar Arts By Hand Artist: Joanne Shank

Joanne also brings her sketchbook to live music shows, where her illustrations reflect the rhythm and mood of the performance to connect with the music and turn sound into motion. She is also a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and an active member of several regional arts groups including the Bloomington Watercolor Society and Pillar Arts (formerly the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington). Her work can be found at venues around the state, including the Pillar Arts Alliance Center, By Hand, and the Hoosier Artist Gallery in Nashville, IN.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Dance Center 55th Spring Recital

Tues June 3rd, 7:00-9:00pm (EDT)

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

• The Dance Center will present its 55th Spring Recital on Tuesday, June 3rd at 7pm. The recital features dancers, age 4 to high school performing a variety of Tap and Jazz pieces. Family friendly with a variety of music selections from Trolls to Dua Lipa.

The King’s Wife

Wed June 4th – Sun June 29th

John Waldron Auditorium

• God Save the Queens. The King’s Wife imagines a secret history of Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn (the first wives of Henry VIII) and the untold story of their friendship and struggle for power in a male dominated era. A revolutionary pop musical by two-time Grammy-nominated songwriter, Jamie Floyd, and award-winning playwright, Mêlisa Annis, this bold reimagining of history explores the enduring legacy of extraordinary women.

En résidence surveillée/Under House Arrest w/Q&A

The Legacy of Ousmane Sembène & Paulin S. Vieyra

Thurs June 5th, 7:00-11:00pm (EDT)

IU Cinema

• The only feature-length film directed by Paulin Vieyra, this film shows an African state faced with political and economic difficulties. In his doctoral thesis, a young academic encourages a return to the sources of African cultural tradition while maintaining the gains of the West. [102 min; drama; French with English subtitles]. A Q&A with Stéphane Vieyra and Amadou Ouedraogo (U.L. Lafayette) will follow the screening.

Arts Mile

Fri June 6th, 5:00-8:00pm (EDT)

Various Galleries

• Experience downtown Bloomington’s vibrant Arts Mile as select galleries showcase evolving live and virtual exhibits. EVERY. FIRST. FRIDAY. Experience an exciting night of the arts as fourteen distinct galleries stay open late to host special exhibits and serve refreshments from 5-8pm. Stroll the vibrant arts scene along the sensational art mile and experience amazing art by renowned local, regional, and international artists. Discover delightful surprises, inspiration, festivities, and original works of art for purchase. Explore each distinctive gallery in-person or online all year long at your own pace. Click here to learn more.

Gallery Walk Opening Reception: Groups Collective

Fri June 6th, 5:00-9:00pm (EDT)

FAR Center for Contemporary Arts

• This collaborative photographic series by Roman Franc (Czech Republic) and Jon Tonks (United Kingdom) captures a diverse range of community groups across Bloomington, Indiana. Each portrait offers a snapshot of community life, celebrating the power of unity and belonging. The opening reception will take place during the 6th annual Fourth and Rogers Block Party at the FAR Center for Contemporary Arts where a community photo will be made! On View: June 6 – August 29. Learn more at groupscollective.com.

Open Mic Night at The Comedy Attic

Wed June 11th, 8:00-10:00pm (EDT)

The Comedy Attic

• Every Wednesday at 8PM is Comedy Attic Open Mic Night. Bloomington has one of the best local comedy scenes in the country, and it all starts with our open mic night! Each comedian is asked to do no more than five minutes of completely original material. While we do not care about foul language in your set, we do not allow racist, homophobic, transphobic or rape/female bashing jokes. If you have to ask if it’s racist, homophobic, transphobic or a rape joke, it probably is. Comedians that wish to participate are asked to e-mail comedyattic@gmail.com. Newcomers and any participants who are not paid professionals will be required to bring audience members to see them. This is non-negotiable. So if you plan on signing up, be sure to invite as many friends as you can. Good luck!

To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar

Thurs June 12, 7:00-9:00pm (EDT)

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

• Elite Manhattan drag queens Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze) and Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes) impress regional judges in competition, securing their place in the Nationals in Los Angeles. When the two meet pathetic drag novice Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo) — one of the losers that evening — the charmed Vida and Noxeema agree to take the hopeless youngster under their joined wing. Soon the three set off on a madcap road trip across America, until their car breaks down, leaving them stranded in a small town, struggling to make it to Los Angeles in time. Rated PG-13.

A Fair of the Arts

Sat June 14, 8:00am-12:30pm (EDT)

Fernandez Plaza

• Discover, shop, and support local and regional artists. Shop for art and fine crafts hand made by local and regional artists. Second Saturdays of the Market season on Fernandez Plaza.June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
  Oct. 11 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Rummage Sale at People’s Co-op Market

Sat June 14, 9:30am-2:00pm (EDT)

People’s Co-op Market

• This Saturday June 14th we have our monthly Rummage Sale ! With vendors selling all sorts of items just like a garage sale or yard sale but at the People’s Market! This is an indoor event no raincoat needed! This event happens every month so. If you want to be a vendor please email us at peoplesmarketmanager@gmail.com Also our regular People’s Co-op Market will be happening with our Share Table with fresh veggies, $5 farm fresh eggs & more! Plus our hot food vendors will be selling delicious food Bivi’s Tamales, Maiz Comida Colombiana, Pinoy Gardens, Mama Dukes Hawaiian BBQ. So much good food and fun in one place!

The Sound of Music – 60th Anniversary Matinee

Sun June 15, 3:00-6:00pm (EDT)

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

• 60 years of “Do-Re-Mi” A tuneful, heartwarming Rodgers and Hammerstein musical based on the real life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, one of the world’s best-known concert groups in the era immediately preceding World War II. Julie Andrews plays the role of Maria, the tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain with seven children, and brings a new love of life and music into the home – while under the dark shadow of Nazism leading up to the war. Directed by Robert Wise, starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker. The Rodgers and Hammerstein score includes “Climb Every Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and “My Favourite Things.” This winner of five Academy Awards has been acclaimed an American classic and is celebrating 60 years on the screen! Rated G.