Galleries offer visual outlet

Throughout the years, Bloomington art galleries have offered local and regional artists venues to display their portfolio of work. These galleries provide Bloomington residents and students another outlet to consume the art and culture the area has to offer.

Chelsea Sanders, who works at Blueline Gallery, said the gallery makes it a point to satisfy all of Bloomington’s residents with the artwork it displays.

“Half of our artists are either grad students or students, and then we also go for the older, eclectic artists,” she said. “We try to mix it between students but also established artists.”

Local galleries offer a variety of artwork on display, from paintings and illustrations to sculptures. Support from the community is part of what keeps these galleries going, Sanders said.

“We’ve been doing this for about three years, and the past couple of shows have been 500-plus people for an opening night,” she said.

Tova Lesko, manager of By Hand Gallery, said the gallery receives loyal support from the community. She said it’s important to continue to promote the arts in Bloomington.

“I feel like a lot of people want to support the arts,” Lesko said. “Us just being here gives them an outlet to do it.”