Is it magic or is it science? Have great fun exploring the surprising tricks mirrors can play on your brain! This special hands-on exhibition for people of all ages is on display at WonderLab (Tuesday – Sunday) through April 13.

Opening January 3 and running until February 1, a variety of new exhibits are on display at the Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center galleries.

National Society of Arts and Letters: 2014 Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition of Emerging Artists

Indiana artists aged 18-29 compete for a $1,000 Best in Show prize awarded annually by the Bloomington Chapter of the NSAL. This local group has given away over half a million dollars to support budding careers invisual arts, dance, drama, literature, music, and musical theatre since 1966.

Janelle Beasley: “Comfort Zone” (paper collages)

Lucas Adams and Bailey Tichenor: “Northern Exposure” (paintings and photographs)

Galleries are open Monday – Friday, 9 am – 7 pm, and Saturday, 9 am – 5 pm.

New in the Galleries: “Photographing Rosie the Riveter”
Runs October 1-January 26
The conscription of men into military service during WW II led to a demand for female workers in the factories supplying munitions and war supplies. Government photography projects, such as the Farm Security Administration (FSA), revamped their operations to support the efforts of the Office of War Information (OWI). This installation features propagandistic images of female assembly-line workers by Andreas Feininger, Alfred T. Palmer, and Howard Liberman. Organized by Maura Campbell-Balkits, a museum intern in the Department of Communications and Culture.

“Community Voices Gallery: League of Women Voters”
League of Women Voters exhibit, open now through March 29, 2014, through photos, documents, written history and objects you will be able to see the involvement of the Bloomington Chapter of this nationwide organization. Please note, museum hours are Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

“Giants in Cornfield, Civil War Sesquicentennial”
“Giants in Cornfield, Civil War Sesquicentennial” exhibit open now through April 12, 2014, gives an incredible look at the soldiers from Monroe County and their role in the battles of the Civil War. Please note, museum hours are Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

“Old Fashioned Christmas”
Come view Christmases from the past in the History Center’s “Old Fashioned Christmas” exhibit. November 29 – February 15, 2014 Please note, museum hours are Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

A holiday show of handmade work by more than 50 local artists.

Opening January 3 and running until February 1 at Pictura Gallery is a new photography exhibit by Antonio Bolfa: “Haiti: Mass Garbage Dumps of Cite Soleil”.

“The town of Cite Soleil has the biggest garbage dumping grounds in the city of Port au Prince and possibly the country of Haiti. It is a vast wasteland that stretches to the horizon, always expanding as peoples’ waste is dumped there. On and around this massive wasteland a community has grown. People erect makeshift homes and raise families among the fields of garbage where they scavenge the refuse for food, scrap metal and other recyclable items so they can survive. There are no jobs, health care or education. A good day is when garbage trucks deliver batches of spoiled meat that are free for eating. Following the tragic earthquake on January 10th, 2010, the international community poured financial assistance into the country. Since that day, not a single penny has been received by the community of Cite Soleil. As I watched people fight for their survival, I would always think to myself, “What do these people need to sacrifice in order to live like this? Do these people have to relinquish some part of their humanity in order to survive? Or does this kind of hardship define a part of what humanity is in the 21st century?” I am still shocked that this level of poverty and base survival still exists in 2013.”

Artist talk will be held Thursday, January 30 at 7 pm. Gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am – 7 pm.

FREE but registration is REQUIRED by January 7. Sign up by emailing [email protected] with your name, phone number, and number of people in your group (or call the Paynetown Activity Center at 812-837-9967).

Program Location: Meet in the parking area at Crooked Creek SRA (directions available when you register)

Join Monroe Lake’s naturalist on an informal, exploratory hike of the Lucas Hollow area. No set course for this hike – we’ll go where the mood strikes us and see what we find! The entire hike will be off-trail, so please wear appropriate footwear. 90 minutes

What: Brain Games (weekly)

When: Wednesdays, 2:00-3:00 p.m. beginning January 8. New players welcome any time!

Who: Heather Short, a Patient Care Coordinator for Indiana Home Health.

Where: The Endwright Center, 631 W. Edgewood Drive, Ellettsville, 47429

Cost: Free! (Donations gratefully accepted!)

Additional Information: Heather Short of Indiana Home Health will lead participants in “Brain Games,” a weekly activity of playing fun trivia games to jump start our brains. The games will help participants retain information; maintain mental acuity, while learning fascinating new trivia facts at the same time! New players welcome any time! Refreshments will be provided by Indiana Home Health, a home health agency providing nursing, Physical Therapy, and Occupational Therapy care in the comfort of their clients’ own home. Sponsored by Area 10 Agency on Aging and Indiana Home Health. Please call Heather at 812-345-7021 for more information regarding Indiana Home Health services.

For more information: call the center at 876-3383 ex. 515.

What: Golden Slippers Chi Gong (Eight Treasures)

When: Wednesdays (weekly), 4:30 – 5:30 pm, beginning Wednesday, January 8.
New students may join at any time!

Who: Certified instructor, Elisa K. Pokral

Where: Endwright Center, 631 W. Edgewood Drive, Ellettsville, 47429

Cost: $10 per class – join any time!

About:
Chi Gong is a form of Tai Chi with easily memorized movements. Scientific studies indicate its effectiveness for all ages. Benefits include stress reduction, mindfulness, and weight control, strengthening of heart, lungs, circulation, and skeletal system. Chi Gong also increases flexibility and balance.

Classes are taught for students at all levels and are open to any individual over 18 years of age. You will find this flowing form of relaxing movement to be a source of renewed vitality that you can also practice at home. Stop by to check out our new
EC After Hours offerings (after your daily activities, work, or after school!). Find yourself both relaxed and revitalized before you begin your evening by discovering the benefits of Golden Slippers Chi Gong! New students may join at any time!

Certified instructor:
Elisa K. Pokral is a certified Tai Chi Chuan instructor. She has taught Tai Chi since 1995. She incorporates a variety of energy work in health and wellness including Reiki, self-empowerment, and meditation.
For Additional Information Contact: 812-876-3383, ext 515

Insight Meditation Instruction and Group Meditation is held every Wednesday at the Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center. Based on the model developed by Jon Kabat Zinn. No previous meditation experience necessary. All are welcome. No charge. Donations appreciated.