Looking forward to 2023

2022 was rewarding in many ways. This year was a return to something more ‘normal’. Salsa dances resumed, concerts were better attended, many supported with sponsorships. The gallery was rented for private events 26 times. The completion of the new Dressing Room and a kitchen renovation will further attract rentals.

The 9th Annual A Small Wonder Gift Shop was a success once again with gross sales of $5,331. We sold 94 items, on par with the sales of the last few years. We are grateful for the participation of 39 Central Illinois artists, local authors, and the support of art patrons. This exhibit/sale is very rewarding to encompass so many creatives that we usually wouldn’t see featured in the gallery.

As we look forward to 2023, there are some highlights planned: a Prince Tribute band, the return of the Irish band Turas combined with a performance of the Flynn School of Irish Dance and a return to emphasizing art classes, many to be held in a new educational space on the 3rd floor.

Wishing you all a prosperous 2023

William Butler,

Executive Director

Whisper & Shout:

Open Mic for Poetry

Thursday, Jan 5, 2022 ~ 8:00-10:00pm BUY TICKETS

Tickets in Advance Online at 309tix: $5-members, $8-nonmembers, $3-poets + fees (until 6pm day of event). (*No money will be taken at the door unless we don’t reach our max capacity) Featured Poet: The Law of HUEY

Feature Poet: The Law of HUEY is a Chicago native hailing from Chicago’s west side. He is a proud father, mentor, emcee and one of the co-founders of the music collective, HUEY Gang. HUEY is an acronym that stands for Headstrong Urban Educated Youth. He is currently working on a project called How Much 4 Therapy, addressing his struggles with mental health and therapy as a black man in America.

1st Friday Studio Tour

Friday, Jan 6, 2022 ~ 5:00-9:00pm ~ free event

While here, check out the new art exhibits, as well as the Resident Artist Studios where artists create, display and sell their work. On the 3rd floor, visit the studios of resident artists Tanya Bayer, Kaye Berry, William Butler,

Elizabeth Davis, Duffy Armstrong Farrell, Darlene Jones, Bennett

Johnson, Richard Kirchgessner, Kagan Masters, Ilva McBrayer,

Joy Johannes Miller, and Jack Ryan. In the Side View Gallery on the 2nd floor – view the work of Preston Jackson, Natalie Jackson, Joy Kessler and Aareon Boyd.

Unframed prints from “Rhea Edge & Harold Boyd: PrintMakers “ exhibition will be for sale during 1st Fridays

Harold Boyd & Rhea Edge: Lost Lore 

January 6-February 18

Preston Jackson Gallery

As fellow artists, educators and administrators, Rhea Edge of Eureka College and Harold Boyd of Illinois State University have shared a long partnership in the downtown Bloomington arts community, both showing work at the Beluga Press Art Gallery. With a focus on the human story, Boyd's fluid ink drawings and figures are poignantly recognizable, while dramatic images of motion and flight depict nature out of balance in Edge’s paintings.

Rhea Edge & Harold Boyd: PrintMakers 

January 6-February 18 — Gallery 3R

Boyd’s gestural figures defy gravity, exploring lithography, etching and relief printmaking with fluid lines in a largely black and white world. Edge brings us the power of stealth bombers and predatory birds in these abstracted etchings, lithographs and relief prints. Unframed prints will be for sale during 1st Fridays and the reception.

Figure Drawing/Open Studio

Tuesdays, January 24 - March 14, 6:30-8:30 pm 

Beginning Salsa Dance

Tuesdays, January 31 - February 28, 6:30-7:25 pm

Intermediate Salsa Dance

Tuesdays, January 31 - February 28, 7:30-8:25 pm