Walk of art

The John Waldron Arts Center was a lively place last Friday evening, when the July exhibits in the Rosemary P. Miller and Flashlight Galleries opened. People of all ages wandered through the exhibits examining wall sculptures and paintings, and peering through artist Jerry Farnsworth’s kaleidoscopes. Gallery walk participants talked with artists and among themselves about the works on display. Peter Lawrence picked up a kaleidoscope and looked through it at his own painting, “Fiorra”. Jerry Farnsworth demonstrated how to use one of his more complex kaleidoscopes to a small group of people, holding it in front of each person’s eyes so they could peer through, telling them, “Thanks for looking.”\nThe opening featured art Farnsworth, James B. Campbell, Peter Lawrence and Monique Cagle. The gallery runs through July 27.\n“This is definitely the best summer gallery we have ever had,” said Ed Vande Sande, development and marketing director of the Bloomington Area Arts Council. At least 400 people attended for the opening on Friday, he said.\nArtist Peter Lawrence said he worked on the abstract paintings in his exhibit for two years. When working on a painting, “you have to let your mind go a little bit and be objective,” he said. \n“Fiorra,” one of Lawrence’s paintings on exhibit, is an abstract image of a dancing girl. The painting is rich in oranges and reds, with some light purple. The complementary colors work well together, he said.\n“Anything with figuration brings more interest to the viewer,” Lawrence said. “I have a lot of figure drawing experience that shows up in the lines of my abstract paintings.” \nArtist James B. Campbell said he started working on wall sculptures because he got tired of canvases. \n“We expect to see pictures in rectangles,” Campbell said. “Sculpted and shaped pieces change our paradigm of seeing things. I like to work with abstract because I like to open up people’s minds.” \nCampbell’s work “Tears From the Womb,” is an image of a vagina, but he said he didn’t want the piece to be too “in your face art.”\n“It’s trying to reach the viewer on more of an emotional level than political. If art has a purpose, then it is to help us find our way to becoming civilized,” Campbell said.\nBloomington resident Neil Taylor enjoyed Campbell’s craftsmanship and consideration of his work.\n“Very intriguing, and a high standard of craft. I like how he puts them together. He is concerned with all sides of the sculpture,” Taylor said.\nMany of artist Monique Cagle’s paintings depicted landscapes and animals. \n“I tried to pick a range of pictures that covered a variety of topics,” Cagle said. \nHer favorite painting in the exhibit is “Sun Spot,” a portrait of a cat. \n“I’m an animal lover, and I especially love cats,” Cagle said. “That’s my dad’s old cat so it’s kind of sentimental.”\nFarnsworth crafts kaleidoscopes of different shapes and sizes from wood and glass. The kaleidoscopes take various forms, including cameras and lighthouses. One of them, called “Cow-eidoscope” was actually a small wooden cow, with a rectangular piece in the center of the cow’s body that slides out. A glass cylinder is placed on one end of the rectangular piece, and there is a hole on the other end for the viewer to look through.\n“I think the kaleidoscopes are wonderful. They’re fantastic,” said Cappi Phillips, a long-time friend of Farnsworth. “It’s truly interactive art.”\nParticipants in the gallery walk could also take in the images the kaleidoscopes create during the “Kaleidoscope and Cosmic Light Show Spectacle,” which featured a light show and a concert.\nA live band made up of local artists, including Farnsworth on electric guitar, played a mix of classic rock songs. People of all ages danced in front of the stage.\nDuring the concert, kaleidoscope images were projected on four large screens as well as the ceiling of the John Waldron Arts Center Auditorium. \n“Somebody has to be brave enough to be the first one on the dance floor,” said Justice St. Rain, of Heltonville, Ind., who is also friend of Jerry Farnsworth. “Jerry is doing some amazing things.”