BLOOMINGTON OPEN STUDIOS TOUR 2015 wAS A GREAT SUCCESS!

Bloomington Open Studios Tour 2015 was indeed a robust event. Forty–five enthusiastic artists showed and talked about their work with the public in their own or a friend’s studio. Visitors told us that they had a splendid time looking at and discussing the work with us face–to–face. No pristine white museum walls, lots of in–process works and ideas talked about, demonstrations, teaching/learning inquiries, and some folks went home with a newly acquired work of art!

At the end of the day(s) we were tired but pumped–up from so much contact with the public. You see, most of us work in solitary, struggling through our conceptual, aesthetic, and technical problems on our own. Months can go by without interaction with someone else about our work. Being that a work of art requires an audience in order to fulfill its purpose, this was a fantastic opportunity to expand our audiences.

I invited two tough and talented artists to show in our studio for BOST 2015: an improvisational oil painter Sarah Pearce and thoughtful and sometimes sardonic cast iron sculptor Bert Gilbert. Sarah showed in our teaching/exhibition space and Bert shared my metal fab/smithy with me. We threw open the doors and sunlight and folks rolled in. Conversations ensued all day and into the evenings. Relationships were forged. Artwork unfolded.

This was a great weekend! Thanks to all of you who visited for helping to make it a success!