Bloomington Watercolor Society's upcoming exhibit paints old Bloomington in new ways

Adding new scenes to a previous exhibit of historic Bloomington is what the Bloomington Watercolor Society is offering with some help from the Monroe County History Center in an exhibit that begins later this month.

The Bloomington Watercolor Society presents an encore exhibit of “We Paint … Historic Bloomington!" The opening reception is 5-7 p.m. April 28 at the history center, at 212 E. Sixth St. Paintings of Bloomington’s historic buildings, early industry, famous people and traditions will be shown with new paintings expanding last fall's visual display.

The society's smugmug.com website offers not only a look at the paintings but fascinating historical and artistic detail at bloomingtonwatercolor.smugmug.com/We-Paint-Historic-Bloomington/.

More: First Paint Out is more than painting, with free classes, demonstrations, music

Some history about past historic exhibitions

Several years ago a previous historic exhibition — of Bloomington cemeteries — brought so much satisfaction to members that the Bloomington Watercolor Society again brushed up against the Monroe County History Center's curator Hilary Fleck and organized another show, “We Paint … Historic Bloomington!”

“We Paint … Cemeteries!”  (Note: the society's motto is “We Paint ....”) had landed dead-on with local art folk.

"Painting cemeteries sounded like a crazy idea at first," Jeanne Dutton said in an email, "but our artists really liked the idea." Dutton serves as show chair for Bloomington Watercolor Society.

For that project painters chose a cemetery, some clomping through ticks and knee-high mugwort to photograph and paint. The history center held the exhibition.

This time, artists of all skill levels have pored over old photographs not just of graves but all kinds of local subjects. Artists enjoyed a guided tour of the history center and took a class to prepare to paint historic Bloomington.

Why historic, in particular, Bloomington?

"The more I read about the town's founders and trailblazing women, the limestone and architecture, the more I came to appreciate those stories," Dutton said.

So, with this "Encore Exhibit," the artists are back to the fields, streets, homes, photos — and thanks to Hilary Fleck — public records and personal memories of what used to be.

The first installation of the society's “Historic Bloomington” was last fall in the form of the annual membership show at the Vault at Gallery Mortgage. Membership art shows normally come with specific requirements, so art had to be at least 50% watercolor. Other media, such as pen and ink, could be used on the rest of the painting.

For the encore exhibition, five new paintings have been added to last fall's 20. As patrons purchase paintings, new works are added.

This year's project comprised various events. First came a class at the history center by well-known local artist Steve Dawson on architectural drawing. Next, artists took to the center's lawn for a plein air paint-out last June. A team favorite was the center's curator Fleck granting access to old photographs and education manager Andrea Hadsell's  docent-led tour of the center.

In fact, Dutton said for some people, getting to view the old photographs was encouragement enough to join the project.

"Others were inspired by the excellent exhibits at (the center)."

Only one conceptual rule loomed: “historic” hopefully meant pre-1945. But it wasn't enforced with vigor: "If I chose the year 1946, I’d have been considered historic!"

Bloomington Watercolor Society: All are welcome

Bloomington Watercolor Society members have a wide variety of talents, skills and interests, including plein air and portrait painting.

"We have a really strong team of members who don’t just paint, they help organize and make sure events actually happen, show up to help hang the show, meet and greet patrons at the receptions," said Dutton, a Lafayette native who retired from Purdue University in 1997 and enrolled in a class with well-known Hoosier artist Rena Brouwer.

"(Rena) lit the fire! And now no amount of water(color) can quench it."

Dutton moved to Bloomington 18 years ago and joined the newly formed Bloomington Watercolor Society.  When Ivy Tech Community College began the Center for Lifelong Learning, then-director Susie Graham asked her to teach, which Dutton still does. Her classes include Beginning Watercolor 1,2,3 and Artistic Journaling.

Bloomington Watercolor Society has nearly 100 members, with different levels of expertise.

"One of the finest things about BWS is that members are very willing to share their knowledge and expertise with others."

The society has  monthly meetings, with each one offering an educational program.

In conjunction with this "Encore Exhibit of “We Paint … Historic Bloomington!”" show, Monroe County History Center will host a paint out on the center's lawn 10 a.m.-2 p.m. June 3. All area artists are welcome to participate.

If you go

WHAT: Bloomington Watercolor Society's Encore Exhibit of “We Paint … Historic Bloomington!”WHEN: Opening reception is 5-7 p.m. April 28. Exhibit may also be viewed 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays through July 8.WHERE: Monroe County History Center, at 212 E. Sixth St.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington Watercolor Society exhibit paints Bloomington in new ways