New local exhibits showing at Waldron

Now that a new school year has begun, students both new and old want to know, "What is there to do around here?" \nBloomington is filled with things to do and see. From places to eat and shop to musical performances around town to art galleries, Bloomington has it all.\nOne such interesting place is the John Waldron Arts Center, 122 S. Walnut St. The center offers not only art exhibits, but also art classes, plays and musical performances. The arts center features two galleries for artists to display their work and many classrooms to educate people of all age groups about art.\n"The Waldron is an interesting place. I have never been there before, but there are so many things to see and do," said sophomore Ashley Blatsioris.\nThe Waldron Arts Center opened new exhibits Friday evening in both the Rosemary P. Miller and the Flashlight Galleries with a reception and an open house for the general public. The opening provided an opportunity for people to come to the arts center and get the first chance to see the new exhibits. The artists were available to talk about their work and the classes they teach. The open house also featured events such as the belly dancing class, which took place in the Firebay on the bottom floor of the arts center. The classes attracted and entertained many people throughout the night. \nThe Flashlight Gallery features the work of Ryan Nole, a printmaker who produces original prints to advertise musical events. The Rosemary P. Miller Gallery houses an exhibit titled "Awakening Expectations."\nThis exhibit is an eclectic mix of art done by many different artists. Upon walking into the gallery, visitors can view the eclectic display of pieces and how they all work together. \n"The only thing that ties all the works of art together is the fact that all the artists are instructors at the Waldron Arts Center," said Stephanie Dowdy-Nava, an artist featured in the exhibit.\n"Awakening Expectations" gives the instructors an opportunity to display their work, and it gives the community a chance to view the works that their teachers have created. Each instructor has two or three pieces on display in the gallery. \nDowdy-Nava is new to Bloomington and has been painting since childhood. She came to IU for her masters in Arts Administration. She has two pieces on display in a series of five in the Rosemary P. Miller Gallery. Each painting shows a table with a different object resting on it.\n"These paintings represent each member of my family. The series explores how each member of the family affects each other from that person's point of view," Dowdy-Nava said.\nEach object is set at that person's place at the dinner table. When looking at the whole series, the viewer sees the same room from five different perspectives. \n"It is interesting to see how many different styles are being displayed together. I especially liked the poetry art," said Blatsioris. "The open house was a great way to first visit the Waldron."\nDowdy-Nava's work is just one example of the interesting pieces on display at the arts center. The exhibits in the Rosemary P. Miller and Flashlight Galleries run from Sept. 2 to Sept. 25. For more information on "Awakening Expectations" and the Nole exhibit, visit the John Waldron Arts Center's Web site at www.artlives.org.