Forty-six Years of Hoosier Art
Walk in to the longest enduring contemporary commercial art gallery in Bloomington. By Hand Gallery has been in downtown Bloomington, in the heart of Fountain Square for decades. Indiana artists showcase brilliant works in this intimate art space.
Artists from all over Indiana have been showing and selling their artworks and goods at By Hand Gallery for nearly fifty years. Jewelers, painters, ceramicists, carvers, photographers, and many more. Everything at By Hand is authentic and genuinely made by skilled artists and craftworkers.
Featured exhibits are showcased every month during First Friday gallery walks 5pm-8pm and are rotated every two months.
By Hand Gallery admission is always free for shopping visits and First Friday exhibit receptions. Purchases directly support Hoosier artists.
Current Exhibits
By Hand Gallery annually hosts six rotating exhibits with twelve monthly receptions in coordination with Bloomington's First Fridays gallery walk events. 5pm to 8pm every First Friday come visit By Hand Gallery for light refreshments, community atmosphere, and an opportunity to speak with some of our artists.
Every first Friday of the month (weather/holiday permitting), the gallery stays open a few hours later and hosts an open reception for the current featured exhibition. Come visit, meet artists, and experience a special Hoosier art exhibit.
Visit Us
By Hand Gallery, the perfect place for handmade art and gifts is located at 101 W Kirkwood, Ste 109, Bloomington, IN 47404
Find us in Fountain Square
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Support Art
Pillar Arts saw artists directly paid more than $100,000 in 2025 through combined gallery sales between our two spaces. If you would like to see our artist programs thrive, if you want to help us grow our mission capital, become a sponsor of Pillar Arts.
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Arts + CultureHandcrafted since 1979
By Hand Gallery has been a cornerstone of Bloomington’s arts scene since 1979; after nearly five decades in operation the historic By Hand Gallery is Monroe County’s oldest contemporary commercial art gallery.
Located in Fountain Square in the heart of downtown Bloomington, By Hand is a proud participant in Bloomington’s First Friday’s Gallery Walk and currently showcases the work of local and regional artists across ceramics, glass, textiles, jewelry, woodwork, photography, and fine art.
By Hand Gallery was founded in 1979 and sustained as a member-managed cooperative for decades. In 2025, By Hand Gallery was acquired by Pillar Arts, and has become a significant second gallery in our artist support programming. By Hand Gallery continues to play an active role in fostering arts appreciation and engagement. With a rotating selection of exhibitions and seasonal offerings, visitors can always discover something new; from timeless gifts to contemporary pieces that celebrate the region’s rich creative spirit.
Patrons support Hoosier artists with every purchase.
By Hand Gallery is inside Fountain Square in downtown Bloomington on the courthouse square.
If traveling from Indianapolis, 50 miles south on 69/37 to the Walnut St. exit.
Metered parking is available on the courthouse square or across the street via the skyway connected parking garage at 4th and Walnut.
For Artists
Are you an artist looking for new ways to grow your skills and show your work? Explore these pathways and find an opportunity that fits your practice.
A Special Thanks
By Hand Gallery would not be possible without the support and passion of a community of member-managers that kept the light alive for so many years before the gallery came to Pillar Arts in February of 2025. We offer a very special thank you to the 1979 founding members of By Hand, Lee Cohn, Suzanne Halvorson, Rick Hohimer, Jim Sprague, Ted Stahly, Ted Wang, and Sustaining members Lee Cohn, Ruth Conway, Jack Forney, Joey Forney, Carolynne Gieryn, Marilyn Greenwood, Suzanne Halvorson, James Halvorson, Linda Knudsen, Walt Schmidt. We would also like to thank all the various managers, supporters, and patrons who sustain the gallery for all these years, and we look forward to many more arts and creativity filled years to come.