Artists needed to celebrate court’s birthday

A milestone birthday is coming up. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Monroe County Courthouse.\nTo help celebrate this special occasion, Monroe Bank has partnered with the Monroe County Commissioners and the Bloomington Area Arts Council to form an art exhibition featuring local artists in honor of the courthouse’s history. \n“The building itself is a work of art,” said Ed Vande Sande, Bloomington Area Arts Council director of development. “From the limestone statues to the copper dome, it just made sense to honor such an artistic building with art.” \nThe submission deadline for pieces is Friday. Information on where and how to submit pieces can be found on the Bloomington Area Arts Council Web site, www.artlives.org. \nAshley Mattick, marketing director of Monroe Bank, originally came up with the idea of holding the art exhibition. \n“Bloomington is such an eclectic city,” she said. “We have buildings that are very modern and ones that have been around since the city’s birth. I wanted to celebrate the courthouse in a way that would be very ‘Bloomington,’ so an art gallery just seemed to fit that standard.”\nA jury of community members will judge submitted pieces. Although the jury does not have a specific criteria for artists to meet, it will be selecting pieces that best define the community as a whole. \n“What we are really looking for is variety,” said Joyce Poling, Monroe County commissioner. “We want things that kids have done, things from professionals as well as amateurs. Things will be kept more interesting that way.” \nVande Sande said organizers have collected about 20 works of art so far, with pieces ranging from unique photography to collages and paintings. Some of Vande Sande’s favorite pieces have been submissions from children in art classes from local elementary schools. \n“I like to think of this as a good learning experience for kids,” Vande Sande said. “It’s just not some boring history lesson; it lets kids be creative while learning something about the community they live in.” \nThe gallery will be on display at Monroe Bank, 210 E. Kirkwood Ave., May 19 - Sept. 19.\n“The submissions so far have been really great,” Vande Sande said. “The more we get, the more interesting the gallery will be. The finished gallery is going to be an amazing thing to see, and people will have all summer to do so.”