Labyrinth Made Goods

Along with works by professional and avocational visual artists, nearly 150 west side youths have self-portraits hanging in the McLean County Arts Center gallery.

Artist David Dow created sculptures in his signature style blending reclaimed materials, modeling clay and thousands of beads placed by hand for Perennial Optimism. The theme centers six women's stories of resilience.

A lack of institutional support, statutorily imposed legal barriers, stigmas, low wages — they all mean prison sentences can effectively be for life, especially for residents of black and brown communities.

In a time when employment and opportunities appear dim, YWCA Strive of Bloomington-Normal offers hope for those determined to seek redirection toward…