SoFA Gallery celebrates 20th anniversary with live music, games

A unique party celebrating the School of Fine Arts Gallery’s 20th birthday drew students, staff, faculty and people from the community Saturday night. Movies such as “The Science of Sleep” were projected on the walls, while people played beanbag toss, Jenga, pingpong, Nintendo Wii and Twister. Pizza and refreshments were on sale, and complimentary snacks were also available for the partygoers. \n“I had a really good time playing tennis and pingpong,” said Bloomington resident Tom Smith, who attended the party and has been to the SoFA Gallery several times. “I advanced my career prospects tonight by meeting someone in my field of study, and I also got whipped in beanbag toss.”\nBy 9:30 p.m., the event had already attracted 382 people, volunteers working at the door said.\nThe football game didn’t hurt their turnout, said Betsy Stirratt, gallery director for the SoFA Gallery.\n“People who generally come to our events don’t care about football,” Stirratt said. “A lot of students and younger people from the community come here because they are curious about the kind of work that we do.”\nLive local music was featured throughout the night, with bands such as Coyaba, Alarmists (Calm Down) and Kentucky Nightmare taking the stage. A dance party was underway by 10 p.m. with DJ Flufftronix providing the music.\nAll revenue from Saturday’s event will go back into the SoFA Gallery’s operating budget, said Rob Off, assistant director of the SoFA Gallery. \nFunding for the arts has decreased and to increase funds, the gallery also hosts a Christmas sale during the holiday season and tries to get grants throughout the year, Off said.\n“We do a pretty good job of getting services donated,” he said. “That’s one thing about this community – people work together to get something done.” The bands, DJ and audio crew for the night all donated their services, he said. \nThe attendees and entertainers alike said the anniversary celebration was a success.\n“The show was a lot of fun; it is really great to support this space,” said Kentucky Nightmare’s drummer Ben Fowler, an IU alumnus who studied fine arts.\nTwo other members of Kentucky Nightmare also have fine arts backgrounds. IU alumnus Karen Jensen, bass, majored in art history with a studio minor. David Woodruff, guitar and background vocals, is currently majoring in photography and printmaking.\nThe SoFA Gallery features contemporary art by professionals from all over the country and around the world, as well as art done by students, Stirratt said. \n“We only focus on living artists, works made in the last 20 years,” Stirratt said. “We are all about new art. Sometimes it is a lot more interactive than historical art.” \nAndrew Brennan, a first-year graduate student studying printmaking, said he came to the party for social interaction and to meet new people. \n“It is a really new experience, even an event like this,” Brennan said. “So far everyone I have met has been really kind and helpful. The staff is fantastic.”