The Bloomington-Normal Arts Collective is facing recent turmoil on the political scene with a three-day exhibition called Art for a Change.
Organizers have put out an open call to artists for work that is a response to the turbulence surrounding the recent election, plus pieces that will be a part of World AIDS Day observance. "People are encouraged to bring in artwork," said Jason Judd, co-organizer of the show. "The works don't necessarily need to be political, they don't need to have any other agenda than wanting to contribute to this cause. Art for a Change also encompasses World Aids Day and A Day Without Art. We wanted to fold these together."
"This has been a very emotional time, " said co-organizer Samantha Comeford. "A lot of my friends then channel that into their work. This is the perfect combination, the election on World AIDS Day, for people to be ready to express themselves."
"I've been hearing a certain anxiousness and a sense of solidarity that's starting to come about during the past couple of weeks, " Judd observed. " And I think that as artists and cultural producers, the political atmosphere absolutely impacts creative output, and this is one of the ways and one of the tools in our toolbox to help be allies with underrepresented groups, to help coordinate and facilitate understanding and a safe place of inclusion."
Artists can drop off work at CVA 110 on the Illinois State University campus on Monday, November 28 from 8:30 AM to 4 PM, and from 8:30 AM to noon on Tuesday the 29th. The show is up in CVA 110 through Dec. 1.
