The McLean County Arts Center has operated under various names and in some way, shape or form for 136 years. The center’s three galleries and community-focused classes provide a welcoming gathering place for art-curious guests.
But a first-of-its-kind exhibit points to what mixed media artist David Dow calls an underrepresented—or never represented—segment of Bloomington-Normal’s art scene.
“If you don’t see yourself someplace it’s really hard to know you belong,” said Dow, who with Jim Neeley (the pair owns Wisecracker Studio) sponsored West of Center, an exhibit running at the center through Aug. 24.
“For us, the objective is for anybody to see themselves as welcome here,” Dow said.
West of Center shines a light on professional and aspiring visual artists living on Bloomington’s west side, including nearly 150 self-portraits created by youths from the Boys and Girls Club and Irving Elementary third graders.
“What does that do to help a child see themselves as welcome there, as belonging there? But also, kids that are thinking about being artists—it’s encouraging to them to have an opportunity to do their work and have it be seen,” said Dow.
As for the grownups in West of Center, work by west side residents Jacob Godbey, Joanne Littell, Doug Delong, Ruth Cobb, MacKenzie McCray, Mikiya Jones, Trudy Robinson and Brusha “Shay” Tolise is on display.
Fits and starts
Tolise was the same age as these Irving Elementary students when she won her first art prize. She used pointillism to create shading and light—making a three-dimensional apple in a two-dimensional space.
“I was the blue ribbon,” said Tolise. “That made me feel good; it was something I loved doing—but it kind of stopped there. Who do you tell this is something I want to do?”
Tolise took a long break. She picked up painting again at 14.
“I used it as an emotional breakthrough,” she said. “I’m more level-headed when it comes down to painting. After that, I kind of put it on a back burner again."
Tolise met Dow and Neely while working at Labyrinth Made Goods, a program of the YWCA McLean County which supports once-incarcerated women with re-entering the workforce. They bought a small painting she made of a flower.
“I thought it was so basic,” she said. “I didn’t see what they saw in it. That touched me to get me back into the artwork.”
The result of that work is a triptych of paintings representing both ancient and modern day depictions of slavery, hung on a reclaimed door and serving as West of Center's centerpiece. And there is a pair of referential self-portraits in the show: On the left of the pair is Fading Ambers of Burning Passion inspired by and created with the permission of artist Kvylv Kvy. Tolise painted a face engulfed in flames, melting, with a butterfly representing her heart. The other, titled Imperfect Grace, Love Me Naked, is more demure and contemplative. A nude, Black woman with natural hair crouches, her back to the viewer.
“Being in your nude is such a vulnerability,” said Tolise, joking that the painting is not an endorsement for walking around in the buff.
“It’s like, once you get to that point, what more can someone say? You put it all out there for them to see,” she said. “Them [the two paintings] being posted together—it just shows, like, this is me.”
And all the while, Tolise is still working at Labyrinth Made Goods, squeezing her artwork into the in-between moments as often as she can. It hasn't been easy. A big push from Dow and Neeley helped.
“Her art career didn’t really take off until recently,” Dow said. “Then she poured herself into it. As you talk to her and see some of the works she has here, they are really powerful. Shay has a lot to say.”
A lot to say—and a lot to do. In 2019, Tolise participated in Labyrinth Made Goods’ professional development program. Tasked with making a business plan, she envisioned a brick-and-mortar gallery to display her work and that of others, and host community classes. It is a 21st century vision not dissimilar to the 19th century one that sparked the McLean County Arts Center.
“I said back then I want my art in an art gallery,” said Tolise. “And from 2019 to now, it is. This has opened up a door to see that I do have art and I have supportive people around me that understand my art. I’m gonna keep it going.”
West of Center runs through Aug. 24 in the Armstrong Gallery at the McLean County Arts Center, 601 N. East St., Bloomington. An artists' reception takes place Friday, July 12, from 5-7 p.m. alongside a Route 66 exhibition running side-by-side in the Brandt Gallery. A family reception for the young artists who contributed to West of Center takes place Saturday, July 13, from 1-3 p.m. Entrance to the galleries is free.
