There are two sides to Artisan Alley, one is great art on sale, and lots of artists and…read morecraftspeople making everything from glass to murals. Photography, sculpture, ink drawings, let your imagination run wild. The other side to the artisans are the renting of art spaces and tiny business areas. They're often quite cost-effective, and a community of artisans has resulted in their various locations (and availability to enter during the pandemic is mixed and limited-- see their website). If art is beauty to you, you'll find something-- maybe many things-- you'll like. Be sure to check the website for pandemic restrictions before you go.

In 2017, a series of public art murals were added around the exterior of the building at 222 W 2nd…read moreStreet along the B-Line Trail. Five artists and titles have been identified in the project and additional art can be seen including Friendly Beasts' door which is painted, but not identified on the plaque mounted on the street side of the building. The first piece on the west side of the building is a brightly colored piece called "Unity is Community" by C D Culper. There are multiple human figures each only having one eye open. The faces also seem to have a second profile face obscuring half of the face directly looking at the viewer. The next piece is the "Entrance to Paradise" by Haider Ali. The small mural covers a doorway and has a beautiful mountain scenic painted. On the north end of the wall is the huge mural called "Wooden Wall of Life" by Adam Long. This piece stretches over several openings in the wall and is done in mostly blues and greens with images of twisted trees and roots that take on human form. Around to the north side of the building is another large mural with a rainbow of colors forming swirls for a background while additional objects seem to float in front. This is called "Sacred Journey" by Sacred Matthews. On the east side of the building by the parking lot is "Hive Mind" by Laura Brikmanis. It depicts a honeycomb with oversized bees crawling around. The art work is so precise that I am guessing she used a template/stencil to create the perfect geometry of the honeycomb grid and possibly on the bees too. It's a great collection of local talent and a way to check out multiple pieces all in one location. Note: To the north of the building is the Bluetip Billiards building that has a colorful mural of pool balls on the side and front. The owner of the business was unable to identify the artist when contacted. Review #2221

Cute place with a good selection of projects. Owners are very attentive and helpful and their dog,…read moreRussel, is always there if you need a "paws" from your project. Many projects require an upcharge if they are more involved, but the upcharge itself is only $5 more. Drinks are available for purchase if you're wanting to get lit; non-alcoholic drinks are also available.

From the owner: Board & Brush Bloomington is here for your Creative Social Entertainment! Instructor Led Wood Sign…read moreWorkshops will help you create a beautiful piece of Home Decor while making memories with your friends! Our Studio is located just blocks from the downtown square on Morton Street. Walking distance from notable Bloomington Restaurants & Hotels. Nearby daytime street meter parking and plenty of after 5pm lot space available across the street.

A delightful and welcoming group of people who will help you make a delightful personal something-…read morethey have lots of things ready to glaze(paint). But even better, come to learn how to throw your very own But really, the nicest group of makers you could hope to find.

Nice owner and very good with helping people out who are in a rough spot would definitely recommend…read moreto others

We decided to go see a play at the John Waldron Arts Center. We have stayed away from the center…read morebecause the center is downtown, and I am an amputee. We were pleasantly surprised to find a parking garage across the street with handicapped accessible parking spots on the lower level across the street. The cross walk is well marked and easy to cross. You will find a handicapped accessible entrance on the side of the building. Near this entrance you will find an elevator. We went to the second floor to see a play. Once there the staff removed a chair for me to wheel my chair in. The acoustics and lighting were very good. We will not hesitate to attend functions there in the future.

Came here for a play and found it to be very accommodating. I would see more art at this location.read more

There was a great advertisement photo of what the class was "supposed" to be painting yesterday. It…read morewas a Halloween inspired Van Gogh style "Spooky Starry Night". My sister and I were unsure if we could make it or not and held off buying tickets online. We decided we could make it happen and arrived 20 mins before class to inquire about joining in before anyone had even showed up. The instructor had zero clue how many were in the class and if there would be room for us. She then suggested that we wait at the bar and have some food while the class filled to see if there would be room. We were told they would let us know. We waited while trying to see if we would be asked to come in and join, circling by the room every now and again. No one came, not even her helper to poke her head out to motion us in. We realized they started the class without us. I went inside and saw two seats available. I inquired again but was really surprised that they never bothered with a heads up and started without us. We spent the class speed painting attempting to catch up from the point of starting the third color block. The canvas didn't want to absorb the paint well or even perhaps the standard primary color jugs used for these kind of classes were even more smeary and less opaque. Not to mention I had to use the flashlight on my phone because the space in the restaurant has extremely low lighting. This was all made worse because the instructor went faster through steps than what I've experienced in other similar wine and canvas classes. The class was supposed to be held from 2-5pm and the instructor was done with all the steps before 3:30. In the end, the painting the instructor did was not even a shade of the advertisement. Not even a semi close rendering for instruction. We were bummed despite sorta getting to join the class. I say it like that because they just left us at the bar and started without us. We were the first to arrive. Forgotten about even though those seats were available while we waited. Then absolutely no real instruction or attempt to see where most of the class was progressing. The instructor never had personality or attempted to at least catch my sister up during the lull and tell her how to make tertiary colors. Shes a complete novice and thats what the classes are for, the average person without experience. We asked the instructor about paying her for the class at the end and she seemed to have amnesia that we were the ones that joined in. It just seemed like one hand didn't know what the other was doing. After all if we weren't honest we could have literally walked out and she wouldn't have realized that payment wasn't rendered after we joined in. This birthday gift for my sister was a bust. Here is the instructors picture the entire class looked upon as she sped through the steps. I've also included the advertisement photo. I will say that art is subjective, no step by step painting will be the same but literally it was never even close. The base paint for the image is different, the direction the picture was painted didn't allow for all the images to be spaced appropriately, the color scheme wasn't right... hands down the worst outcome of any wine and paint class I've taken.

Everything wine and canvas right? Do you assume that there will be wine? Yes you do. Well not at my…read morefunction. There was no wine and in the description of what will be provided is aprons and brushes. There was no apron and the brushes are so worn out and spread apart. There is no way to make a fine line like I had to do with all of the trees they wanted you to do and then the tiny sunlight lines as well. It was terrible. We'll never go back at least not to that one.

I wasn't an Art Student, but I did take some art classes here. Be prepared to be confused!…read moreNavigating this building should be a course in itself. The entry level art courses I did take required a lot of outside work to maintain a decent grade... like an obscene amount of work. Leaning over poster board for so long can cause back problems. Teachers don't seem to care.

I love Bloomington Fine Art Supply-- large selection of quality art supplies, and the staff is so…read morefriendly! They're always willing to help me find what I need. Whether you're a professional artist, or someone dabbling, odds are you'll find exactly what you need. The classes and monthly art club are worth checking out too!

From the owner: Woman-owned and artist-run, Bloomington Fine Art Supply provides a wide range of high-quality…read moresupplies, tools, surfaces, and art-centric gifts, along with a full calendar of events, classes, and workshops. Whether you're a hobbyist, an advanced practitioner, or simply identify as creative or curious, bfa.supply is here to equip and celebrate every stage of your creative process. ​ Woman-owned and mother-run, Bloomington Fine Art Supply was created by an artist for artists.

Arts is important in the world and future for us all!…read more This project is a wonderful opportunity to make and participate in the arts of our community at large. This organization is on a larger level supports and encourages the development of certain aspects that we have in our communities. Those little libraries are sponsored with their aid. Or the monarch gardens that are built around the common areas for us all to enjoy. As we move towards the future there is a great alliance that has a greater impact for us all. They are shaping our lives for the better. Visit and explore to see what you can help or see what they offer to us all!

They closed their store near Target and have moved down the mall, now occupying the space formerly…read moreinhabited by Victoria's Secret. The same stuff, now a larger space, a slightly longer walk. Yes, the grand piano will be there. As of July 25th, they're doing a "soft opening" and a grand opening will happen in the near future. It's amazing how fast they rehabbed the old Victoria Secret space. Same good local-area artist works, clothing, wall art, jewelry, post/greeting cards, and more. Worth a visit and supports local artists.