The public is invited to attend the Waldron Arts Center Awakening Art Exhibit Opening Reception on Friday, May 6
Bloomington, Indiana–The City of Bloomington will celebrate the opening of a new art exhibit at John Waldron Arts Center on Friday, May 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Awakening is a springtime introspective featuring ten local mixed media artists at the Visual Arts Galleries of the Waldron: Huner Emin, Honey Hodges, Mac Clout, Christina E., Raheem Terrell Rashawn Elmore, Garrett Ann Walters, Brick Kyle, Elise Putnam , Diego Manansala and Ellise Smith. Bloomington-based Busman’s Holiday musician Lewis Rogers will host a set during the reception. The exhibit is curated by Chaz Mottinger, Special Projects Manager with the City of Bloomington’s Department of Economic and Sustainable Development.
Background
Ownership of the Waldron reverted to the City of Bloomington in January 2021 following its use by Ivy Tech Community College as a classroom, performance, and exhibit space since 2010.
Since reopening earlier in 2022 under the temporary management of the City, the Waldron has hosted the works of more than 50 established and emerging local artists. Awakening will be the last show mounted by the City of Bloomington before management of the building is taken over by the new Constellation Stage and Screen in July 2022.
The reopening of the Waldron follows a 21-month closure, during which the City of Bloomington carried out repairs to stabilize and modernize the facility. The repair of the facility follows the recommendations of the community-led Waldron task force (bloomington.in.gov/news/2021/05/06/4840).
In May 2021, Mayor Hamilton announced a $515,000 capital improvement commitment to address deferred maintenance at the facility as part of the Collect forward initiative to help the community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Waldron officially reopened on January 4 of this year (bloomington.in.gov/news/2022/01/04/5066).
About Forward Recovery
Recover Forward is a multi-year initiative to help our community bounce back and thrive as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, moving towards greater racial, economic and climate justice.
Over $15 million has been approved by City Council to date for critical investments. Recover Forward Bloomington includes $9 million from the US Federal Bailout Act and $6 million from the city’s reserve funds. Learn more here: bloomington.in.gov/recoverforward.
