All painters welcome: Create art in Bryan Park on Oct. 7 with free classes, demos

The rules are simple: Create original art anywhere in Bloomington, on any subject, in any medium.

Last year's free day of art making, the "Bloomington Paint Out," went so well it's happening again. Everyone, from beginner to professional, is invited to make art or watch. The event is totally free, open to all, and requires no advance registration.

Participants will check in between 9:30 and 11 a.m. at the Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park, next to the swimming pool. There they will have either a canvas or multi-media paper stamped before beginning to create.

Free supplies will be available for classes at the pavilion and some supplies will also be on hand for painting on the Bryan Park grounds.

All stamped works finished by 3 p.m., during that one day, Oct. 7, will be eligible for judging.

Free classes, demos and a live model

Volunteers will give free art classes at the park pavilion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for youth, teens and adults. A variety of artists will demonstrate throughout the day, and participants will be invited paint with them.

"Plein air — (outdoor landscape) —painting will be all over town and the park," event organizer and artist Babette Ballinger said.

Last year the portrait group had several models, and participant Gary Uffman said this year, too, will include live modeling.

Joe Lee, a cartoonist, author and past professional clown, will teach attendees how to draw caricatures.

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"Multi-generational families were painting all over the park's lawn, and picnicking as well," Ballinger said about last year's event.

This year again, music, storytelling and poetry readings will be at the pavilion throughout the day. Ballinger encourages people to bring a picnic.

Connecting art, sustainability and the environment

Last year’s Bloomington paint day included Artists for Climate Awareness, who sponsored a walk-up activity table for children to make collages of nature and wild things.

"Carol Rhodes started Artists for Climate Awareness," Ballinger said, "and they are doing many interactive demonstrations to connect art and sustainability and our environment" again this year.

Artists for Climate Awareness will provide demonstrations, such as mixed media art journaling for all ages; making art from natural materials for all ages; painting marine life in watercolor for older children and young adults; painting watercolor pollinators with "resist" techniques for all ages; and all-day homemade chalk art for children. (Resist art uses layers to clarify a design in negative space.)

Awards and display of artworks

Winners will receive awards in all media, in these categories: professional artists, emerging artists, teens (age 12-17) and youth (age 7-11), and collaborative art.

Artists should bring their finished work to the Woodlawn Pavilion by 3 p.m. with their name and email address or telephone number on the back. After the judges have chosen their favorite works, artists may then sign them on the front.

For those who paint in oils, Ballinger suggests putting the piece in a frame for safe handling. Alternatively, the wet piece could be displayed on a bring-your-own easel.

Last year's blue-ribbon winners had their art displayed in the "flex space" — the back room / performance space — at the Arts Alliance Center in College Mall. This year, Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington artist and president Henry Leck said the works will hang in the very visible front window of the gallery.

Donations made this second Bloomington Paint Out possible. The event is hosted by Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington, Bloomington Watercolor Society, Upland Plein Air, the Portrait Group and Artists for Climate Awareness with Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department providing among other things, chairs and toilets.

If you go

WHAT: Second Annual Bloomington Paint Out: free day of classes, judging, demonstrations and entertainment for all. Registration is free but required.

WHEN: Event begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 7. Rain or shine.WHERE: Woodlawn Pavilion in Bryan Park, 1020 S. Woodlawn Ave., next to swimming pool.

Note: Children must be accompanied by an adult.

More: Email paintbloomington@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington Paint Out offers free classes, demos in Bryan Park Oct. 7