This month, we also have several exciting happenings at the Arts Alliance Center that have deadlines for registration so keep an eye on those dates—you won’t want to miss them. We look forward to sharing more with you soon!

Arts Alliance Center Holiday Arts & Crafts Show

• Event Dates:
  • Thanksgiving Weekend: November 29 – December 1
  • December 7 – December 8
  • December 14 – December 15
  • December 21 – 22
• Booth Fees:
  • Thanksgiving Weekend:
    • $65 for AAGB Members
    • $75 for Non-Members
  • Saturday/Sunday:
    • $50 for AAGB Members
    • $60 for Non-Members

Whether you’re searching for that perfect gift or simply soaking in the holiday spirit, the Holiday Craft Fair promises an enchanting experience filled with creativity and community. If you’re interested in showcasing your work, don’t miss the application deadline on Thursday, October 31—you can register for as many weekends as you’d like. Email Sarah Asher at aac@bloomingtonarts.org for any questions or click here to learn more and apply. Join us in celebrating the arts and supporting local artists this holiday season!

Upcoming Events with the Arts Alliance

Creative Resources Forum – Rose Firebay, Waldron Arts Center

Tuesday, October 22, 5:30-7:30 pm

This October we are excited to co-host another Arts Forum at the Waldron Arts Center. Join us for an exciting and important conversation where we will address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by creative entrepreneurs in our region. Unlike traditional industries, artists and creatives often have non-standard journeys and ideas, which can make it difficult for them to access development resources. Whether your business is just starting out or looking to grow, this forum will highlight the crucial role that creativity plays in our local economy, from driving tourism to enhancing regional culture.

The forum will bring together representatives from local economic development organizations and artists, performers, designers, and makers to discuss how we can strengthen the creative ecosystem in the Bloomington area. Topics will range from identifying entrepreneurial opportunities within creative fields to understanding how to access resources for education and business growth. The goal is to foster collaboration and experimentation between regional entrepreneurship supporters and the creative community, ensuring a stronger, more unified environment where local artists can thrive.

Following the forum, there will be an afterparty at The Bishop Bar, located just across the street. If you’re a creative or simply interested in supporting the arts, this event is an important step toward shaping a vibrant, sustainable future for our region’s creative scene. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation!

Impressionistic Landscape Workshop & Exhibition with David Seward – Flex Space

Friday, November 1 – Saturday, November 30

In November, the Arts Alliance Center is thrilled to host a workshop and exhibition featuring the award-winning artist David M. Seward, known for his captivating oil paintings that reflect the beauty of the Indiana landscape. On November 2, David will lead “Impressionistic Landscapes,” an immersive workshop where participants will have the opportunity to explore the techniques and processes of creating impressionistic nature landscapes on canvas. Spaces are limited to 12 participants, so be sure to register by October 25th to secure your spot. The workshop costs $160 for non-members and just $125 for Arts Alliance members. To register and for more details, please email Sarah Asher at aac@bloomingtonarts.org.

Following the workshop, all are invited to join us for an artist reception from 5 PM to 7 PM, where David will showcase some of his most remarkable works. This is a wonderful chance to connect and gain insights into his artistic journey and the inspirations behind his pieces. His artwork will be on display in our gallery from November 1st through November 30th, offering a rich exploration of the landscapes that have shaped his artistic vision. David’s passion for capturing the interplay of light and nature is sure to resonate with all who attend. Join us for this engaging event and experience the beauty of Indiana through David’s eyes.

• Workshop: November 2 @ 10:00am
• Reception: November 2 @ 5:00pm
• Exhibition: November 1 – November 30 during gallery hours

Martina Celerin, “On the Cusp of Autumn” – Flex Space

Saturday, September 28 – Wednesday, October 30

Martina Celerin is a dimensional weaver whose exceptional work will be on display at the Arts Alliance Center Gallery throughout October. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in her intricate creations, which beautifully embody the delicate balance between contrast and harmony. Martina describes her artistic process as a journey of transformation, where discarded and unwanted materials are repurposed into stunning works of art. Her studio is a treasure trove of textures and colors, filled with an array of yarns sourced from local weavers and knitters, along with jars of fossils, shells, and weathered rocks, each waiting to contribute to her unique vision.

Drawing inspiration from both nature and her imagination, Martina’s pieces capture memories of serene family walks and vivid impressions of places she has visited. Some of her work leans towards abstraction, conveying emotions or ideas that resonate deeply with her experiences. Every piece she creates is a true weaving, intricately integrating the diverse materials that reflect the landscapes and feelings she has encountered. Visitors to the gallery will find themselves captivated by the stories woven into each artwork, showcasing Martina’s ability to transform everyday remnants into expressions of beauty and depth.

• Reception: September 28 @ 6:00pm
• Exhibition: September 28 – October 30 during gallery hours

Last year, these funds empowered us to expand our programming, reach broader audiences, and ensure that our artistic offerings remain accessible to all. We look forward to continuing our work in fostering a vibrant arts culture in Greater Bloomington and appreciate the trust placed in us by the Indiana Arts Commission. Thank you to our community for your ongoing support as we continue on this exciting journey!

In addition to her sculptures, Dina’s 2D works reflect the beauty of the natural world, created on linen or wool. Living in a serene countryside setting, surrounded by woods and a creek, she finds endless inspiration in the landscapes and life around her. This peaceful environment infuses her creations with a sense of beauty and wonder. Her artistic approach blends meticulous technique with playful imagination, inviting viewers to explore the enchanting narratives woven into her art.

RECENT EVENTS

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Hiss Golden Messenger Solo Plays Bad Debt and Other Favorites

Wed Oct 9th, 7:00-10:00pm (EDT)

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

• Bad Debt was the name Taylor gave to the deep and vulnerable collection of songs he wrote at his kitchen table; it went on to be profiled in the New Yorker, the Washington Post, Rolling Stone, Uncut Magazine, and many other publications, paving the way for Hiss Golden Messenger’s critically acclaimed, Grammy-nominated career. In the fall of 2024, Taylor will play a series of solo shows during which he will perform Bad Debt in its entirety, in addition to songs from the rest of his celebrated catalog. Keep your ear to the ground.

A Fair of the Arts

Sat Oct 12th, 9:00am-1:00pm (EDT)

Fernandez Plaza

• Shop for hand made art and fine crafts! Bloomington Parks and Recreation hosts a celebration of art and community with the sales, demonstrations, and displays of art and fine crafts by local and regional artists.

Bloomington Open Studios Tour

Sat Oct 12th, 10:00am-5:00pm – Sun Oct 13th, 12:00-4:00pm (EDT)

Various Locations

• Sounds From the Black Hole: a concert series featuring experimental music and explorations of sound. Saturday September 28, 8p at Orbit Room, underground on the square in Bloomington, IN.

The Lunchbox w/Q&A | More than Masala

Tues Oct 15th 7:00-9:00pm (EDT)

IU Cinema

• The Lunchbox explores an unusual connection between Ila, a neglected housewife, and Saajan, a lonely widower nearing retirement. Due to a rare glitch in Mumbai’s massive tiffin delivery system, the lunchbox meant for Ila’s husband mistakenly reaches Saajan, and an unexpected friendship blossoms. As their bond deepens, they share their innermost thoughts and dreams, leading to a poignant exploration of love and loneliness. The film received dozens of nominations and several wins at Indian and international film festivals like the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival. [104 min; drama, romance; Hindi with English subtitles]

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Thurs Oct 17th, 7:00pm-9:00pm (EDT)

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

• In Wes Craven’s classic slasher film, several Midwestern teenagers fall prey to Freddy Krueger, a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on the teenagers in their dreams — which, in turn, kills them in reality. Teenager Nancy Thompson must uncover the dark truth concealed by her parents after she and her friends become targets of the spirit of a serial killer with a bladed glove.

Radium Girls presented by Stages Bloomington

Fri Oct 18th-19th, 7:00pm-9:00pm & Sat Oct 19th-20th, 2:00-4:00pm (EDT)

John Waldron Arts Center Firebay

• In 1926, radium was a miracle cure, Madame Curie an international celebrity, and luminous watches the latest rage—until the girls who painted them began to fall ill with a mysterious disease. Inspired by a true story, Radium Girls traces the efforts of Grace Fryer, a dial painter, as she fights for her day in court. Her chief adversary is her former employer, Arthur Roeder, an idealistic man who cannot bring himself to believe that the same element that shrinks tumors could have anything to do with the terrifying rash of illnesses among his employees. As the case goes on, however, Grace finds herself battling not just with the U.S. Radium Corporation, but with her own family and friends, who fear that her campaign for justice will backfire.

BloominGrass

Fri Oct 18th-Sat Oct 19th 7:00-10:00pm (EDT)

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

• Use code: BLOOMING2 to receive $10 off when you purchase a ticket to BOTH nights! The first 100 2-night purchasers will receive a free hardback copy of the book My Black Country by Alice Randall. Available to pick up at the merch table the night of the show.

Once Upon a Midnight

Sun Oct 20th, 5:00-6:30pm (EDT)

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

• Bloomington Symphony Orchestra presents Once Upon a Midnight. What are nightmares made of? Dancing skeletons, ghoulish visions, witches soaring through the night sky – face your fears with the Bloomington Symphony at this Halloween-themed concert. Featuring Bernofsky’s Wild Ride on a Broomstick, Saint-Saëns’s Danse Macabre, Slatkin’s The Raven, and Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, this concert of the musical macabre will have you whispering “Nevermore!”

Latin Jazz Ensemble

Mon Oct 21st, 7:30-9:00pm (EDT)

Buskirk-Chumley Theater

• The Indiana University Latin Jazz Ensemble is a 22 piece ensemble led by trombonist Wayne Wallace and rhythm section coach Andy Miller. The ensemble plays the best of Afro-Caribbean dance music, as well as Latin Jazz from throughout the African diaspora. Please join us for a fun filled high energy evening. Bring your dancing shoes. ¡A gozar! ​Let’s party!