About - Artisan Alley

Mission

to bring together area artists and foster art support, education, collaboration, and sustainability, within the local community.

Artisan Alley is at Bloomington’s center for artist studios, co-working spaces, mid-sized venues, classroom types, and creative entrepreneurship. Here, the arts are both taught and shared, through exhibits, lectures and workshops, and performances. We bring together sculptors, tradesmen, illustrators, muralists, photographers, videographers, audio engineers, musicians, painters, healers, beauticians, barbers, body artists, writers, and dancers in a variety of multi-use spaces.

Artisan Alley Bylaws & Articles of Incorporation

STORY

It began with a passion for art and a handful of post-college students, that were just starting their journey as emerging artists

The very first iteration of our collective began in 2008 with 6 artists nearly fresh out of college. A sculptor, graphic designer, painter, writer, musician, and dancer all came together for a place to call their own, called the “Blank Canvas”. We each split up the building and the rent evenly and our vision for the multi-disciplinary art studio grew quickly. Within 2 years of being in this space, word had spread, and other local artists wanted to join in.

In 2011 we officially registered as a business entity, under the name, “The Trained Eye Arts Center” and for 3 years began to make an impact in the art community. We support bridges between Bloomington and the broader art world and act as an incubator for emerging artists and small businesses. We grew from a collective of 6 artists to nearly 30 over that span of time. In 2013, we collectively decided the best thing we could do was to incorporate into an educational nonprofit if we were to get financial assistance to help the community with our education, therapy, and skills.

As our mission grew to include the public, we realized our physical space needed to expand, so a deal was struck for commercial space with the Bloomington Parks and Rec r e a t i o n Department and Cyclops Studios, for the property now known as the Switchyard Park in 2014. While those buildings are now gone, that location will forever be the place where the name Artisan Alley was created, and our organization was born. We occupied 2 large warehouse spaces and developed our first events and public programs, known now as the Dimensions Gallery, and the Burl & Ingot Workshop.

In 2017, we expanded to our current Flagship location off of 222 W. 2nd Street and developed more studios, with 50+ members. The Dimensions Gallery was relocated and expanded. It is an exhibition gallery for artists and artisans to present their work to the public each month, and it doubles as a flex space/venue for the public. Artisan Alley offers it to its members, individuals, and private groups as an event rental venue and we sponsor community groups and events with this exhibition space.

By doing this, Dimension’s Gallery connects regional, national, and international artists with the city of Bloomington. Over 15 Exhibitions per year happen within this space. In addition, by sponsoring other community groups, non-profits, and individuals, Dimensions Gallery adds cultural value to the greater Bloomington Area by emphasizing artistic expression and exploration in accessible ways.

In 2018 the Burl & Ingot Workshop and Tool Library was relocated and developed. It is an industrial workshop that offers locals and artisans a large selection of trade tools, workspaces, and resources for anything from personal art pieces to large-scale projects. Artisan Alley offers it to its members, individuals, and private groups as a community workspace, and classroom and we sponsor community groups and events with this industrial workshop.

By doing this, Burl & Ingot connects local individuals with accessible resources and emphasizes artistic expression, sustainability, and trade exploration. Over 200 people per year rent tools and work within this space. In addition, by sponsoring other community groups, non-profits, and individuals, Burl & Ingot adds educational value to the greater Bloomington Area by emphasizing self-viability, technical understanding, and skilled-trade development.

In 2019, the M.A.D.E. Shop was developed originally as a retail space to help give artists and artisans a consignment shop to sell at. We provided our services with no consignment providing the sellers were members of our organization.

However, when Artisan Alley was incorporated as a federally recognized NFP in 2019 to expand and nurture the local arts community, we were required to remove our retail program to support our educational mission.

By the end of the year, M.A.D.E is now a classroom and educational space for teachers to share their art expertise, and craft space for artists to develop their products, with the local arts community. Artisan Alley offers it to its members, individuals, and private groups as an event rental venue and we sponsor community groups and public benefitting events with this space.

By doing this, the M.A.D.E. Classroom creates educational opportunities for all ages, as well as developmental and income opportunities for artists. Over 100 classes per year happen within this space. In addition, by sponsoring other community groups, non-profits, and individuals, M.A.D.E. adds cultural value to the greater Bloomington Area by emphasizing arts education and handmade products in accessible ways.

Additionally, with our non-profit status, were able to get tax deductions on our contributions so we began to help other fledgling organizations with our fiscal sponsorships, and volunteer support (The Janeway Collective, The Peoples Market, Bloomington Piano Project, Arts Alliance Center, and more have all benefitted from our support).

In 2020 the Twisted Cowork Lounge was created. It is a gathering place that offers locals, artists, and artisans a supportive environment to network, create, relax, and connect. Artisan Alley offers it to its members, individuals, and private groups as a small rental venue and we sponsor community groups and events with this exhibition space.

By offering this resource, Twisted Cowork connects entrepreneurs with each other and emphasizes connecting through expression and exploration in accessible ways. Over 50 gatherings per year happen within this space. In addition, by sponsoring other community groups, non-profits, and individuals, Twisted Cowork adds cultural value to the greater Bloomington Area by emphasizing collaboration and cooperation in accessible ways.

In 2021 the Digital Media Library was created so our members would have all of the technology assets we needed to put on musical acts, theatre, and interview sessions. Cameras, lighting, sound boards, speakers, and more digital products were purchased to support our members’ activities and for our education curriculum to go online. The digital content was being made to keep up our operations and help the community connect to makers while at home.

By offering this resource, The Digital Media Library connects entrepreneurs with each other and emphasizes connecting through a digital means to make our content available on a digital platform. Over 50 gatherings per year happen within this space, and it has been developed into a Shared Photo/Video/Rehearsal Studio. In addition, by sponsoring other community groups, non-profits, and individuals, The Digital Media Library adds cultural value to the greater Bloomington Area by emphasizing resource development, collaboration, and cooperation in accessible ways.

In early 2022 the Antumbra Venue was developed, due to our need during the pandemic to have a safe gathering space away from our resident members, that is more accessible. To accommodate this, we have moved our M.A.D.E. Classroom, our media Library, and Antumbra, to provide performances, lectures, screenings, classes, workshops, and exhibitions in a more open and safe setting.

Combined with our Photo Lab and Media Library it is a community venue that offers locals, artists, and artisans a supportive environment to produce, network, create, and connect. Artisan Alley offers it to its members, individuals, and private groups as a media resource, and an event rental venue and we sponsor community groups and events with this performance and digital space.

By offering the Photo Lab, Classroom, Media Library resource, and Venue, we can better connect and educate musicians, thespians, dancers, and media artists with each other and we emphasize connecting through expression and exploration in accessible ways. In addition, by sponsoring other community groups, non-profits, and individuals, Antumbra Venue adds cultural value to the greater Bloomington Area by emphasizing collaboration and cooperation in accessible ways.

We are excited about where we are heading and hope you will support us as we move forward. Volunteer, take classes, borrow tools, donate, teach, visit, get a studio, follow us, support local art, and call if you have any questions, need help, or want to collaborate.

THE TEAM

Artisan Alley is run by a number of volunteers, contributors, members, and artists. We dedicate this section to the main people who make it all possible.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS– A board of directors is the governing body, elected by members, to set strategy and oversee management. The board typically meets monthly and is fiscally responsible for the organization.

FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR– Adam Nahas is one of the original founders of Artisan Alley. He is a renowned metal sculptor who has installed metal works around the world and is a Bloomington local. He is currently the Executive Director and handles the management of the operations of our spaces and programs.

Adam Nahas

Founder / Executive Director

Justin Cox

President / Tattoo Artist

Amber Robinson

Vice President / Entrepreneur

Casey Alexandra Rich

Board Chair / Marketing

Justin Scholfield

Advisory Board / Graphic Designer / Content Director

Mark Parmenter

Advisory Board / Sculptor

Andrew Toohill

Web Designer

Artisan Alley is searching for knowledgeable and motivated individuals to join our team and help shape our organization members.

If interested in joining our Board of Directors, fill out this Google form and we will be in contact. Board Interest Form
If interested in joining our team as a staff, member, volunteer, or intern please email info@artisanalley.com.

ARTISTS DIRECTORY

We take this mission seriously.

The art world is constantly shifting. However, Artisan Alley’s essential mission- supporting our community through engagement with artisans — will never change. We will continue to uphold an active presence in Bloomington while creating and sustaining connections between our city and the broader art world. We are a member-based art nonprofit, and our members offer many creative services to the Mid-West and beyond. Our members are artists, freelancers, crafters, techies, creatives, side-hustlers, and entrepreneurs. Here you can learn more about our members and the skillset each offers:

Adam Nahas

Cyclops Studios - Artist, Sculptor, Foundryman, Welder, Fabricator

Autumn Almeida

Graphic Production

Amie Crites

Reiki Healer - Life Coach

Andrea Brown

Fashion, Clothing

Anita Duvall

Mixed Media

Brandon Gales

Red Carpet Cuts - Barbershop

Brett Morse

Bloomington Precision Sharpening Service

Chris Robinson

Audio Engineer

Divine Inspirations

Mystical Arts Center

Eric Brock

Brox Glass- Borosilicate Glassworker

Emily Gall

Painter, Mixed Media, Bone, Glass

Friendly Beasts

Hard Apple Cidery

Hailie Fritz

Peace Lash Love - Lash Technician

Hoosier Films Films

Cinema / Movie Producers

Jerrold Willis

JW & Company - Barbershop

Justin Cox

Cox Art Studios - Tattoo Artist

Kyle Tupper

Musician / Educator

Michael Reeves

Painter

Michael Squires

Musician

Mike Worden

Sloboda Sound - DJ / Mixer

Ollie Hanell

Sloboda Sound - DJ

Joe Klemann

3-D Printing / Oroboros Design

Prince Parise

Muralist / Painter

Raine Hutchens

Burnished Raven - Viking and Norse Mythology Craftsman

Rush Swope

The Raft Genre - Game + Film Production

recruit@raftgenre.com

Sarah J. Slover

Sarah J. Slover Photographer, Arts Advocate, Visual Storyteller

Taylor Mead Albright

Taylors Space - Shipping Logistics

Too Many Cooks

Band - Funk/Blues/Rock

Wayne Chandler

Rewind Music / Label

CONTRIBUTORS

We believe the arts uplift the community.

Art takes us away from our everyday routines and invites new experiences into our lives. The intention to create beauty for one another is a powerful force. The more we experience art together, the more connected we are as a community. Artisan Alley houses projects and conversations between artists and non-artists, beginners and experts, and everyone in between. To be a contributing sponsor there are many ways to get involved and make an impact in our community. Below is a breakdown of our sponsorship tiers.

Sponsor Level	Amount	Digital Gifts	Physical Gifts
Surrealism*	$5,000.00+	Watermark on Content	Original Piece of 3-D Artwork
Realism*	$2,000.00+	Cross Promotion	Original Piece of 2-D Artwork
Dadaism*	$1,000.00+	Call w/ Exec. Director	Free Class for a Group (up to 8)
Cubism*	$400.00+	Website Listing	10-Day Pass
Expressionism*	$200.00+	Instagram Post	5-Day Pass
Minimalism	$100.00+	Facebook Post	T-Shirt

*Higher-tier sponsors will also receive the gifts from the lower-tiers

Artisan Alley would like to thank these businesses for supporting us. These contributors are helping us move forward with our journey to be Bloomington’s, Premier Arts Community. Click on the Icons below to be forwarded to these sponsors’ websites.