The Monroe County Fair, running from July 28 to August 5, features a wide variety of fun for all ages and interests – from livestock shows (rabbits, goats, cows, pigs, horses, and more) and auctions to flower exhibits, motorcycle and kart racing, craft shows and live music. Food and drinks will be available from numerous vendors, and a carnival will be held in the evenings on July 31 and afterwards. Visit the fair website for more detailed information about the many different exhibits and activities.

The Farmer House Museum will be featuring the work of Jane Briley, a contemporary painter on porcelain. Ms. Briley began painting on china in 1972. On moving to Bloomington, Ms. Briley became active in teaching and promoting china painting, particularly through the activities of the Blooms of Bloomington china painting club. Ms. Briley’s work is traditional in style, timeless in its grace and charm. Her work is also currently on display at The Venue, Fine Art and Gifts. Exhibit runs until September 2.

The Farmer House is located at 529 N. College Ave. in downtown Bloomington, right across College Ave. from the Waffle House. The museum is open Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-1 pm, with additional hours until 4 pm on Saturday. Admission is free. The telephone number is 812-336-5597.

Scotty’s Brewhouse will be serving tasty pub food at the Winery! The meal is priced just right at $10.00 per person and includes an entrée, side and dessert. Available from 12 pm to 3 pm, first come first serve.

This installation presents the work of three contemporary Native American artists. It is part of the series, Contemporary Explorations, which features focused, rotating displays from the museum’s permanent collection that explore aspects of art from the 1950s to the present.

Runs until October 14

Annibale and Agostino Carracci were the leaders of the Bolognese school that overthrew Mannerist aesthetics for a style based on the observation of nature, fusing Florentine draftsmanship with Venetian color. This installation features some of their major prints.

Runs until September 16

This exhibit, which runs from June 12 until September 9, features original paintings from “Life Histories of North American Woodpeckers”, a book by nationally recognized wildlife artist and Brown County resident William Zimmerman. Open during regular gallery hours. Visit website for more information.

The Brown County Art Guild exhibit for July features Gerrie Govert (pastels) and Hattie Stanton (oils). Exhibit will run through July 30th. An artists’ reception will be held on Saturday, July 14, from 5-8 pm, during the Village Art Walk.

Gallery hours:
Tu-Sat: 11 am-5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm-5 pm
Closed Monday

This exhibit at The Venue features the art of Rick McCoy. Well known as a figurative painter and cartoonist, this new exhibit displays his talents as an abstract artist. The complete collection of Fine Art and Gifts will also be on display for viewing and purchase. Parking is available in the lot on the corner of 4th and Grant.

Exhibit will run at The Venue until August 2, and is open during regular gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 am-7 pm, Sunday Noon-4 pm. Closed Mondays.

Lift it! Move it! Explore the science of pulleys and levers as you effortlessly pull yourself high off the ground in a pulley chair, lift a heavy block of stone with the strength of your little finger, design a catapult to lay siege to a castle, build a model of an amusement park ride and more! This exhibit on simple machines will remain at WonderLab from June 05 until September 23.

WonderLab’s hours are 9:30 am to 5 pm Tue-Sat, 1 pm – 5 pm Sunday. Open extended evening hours until 8:30 pm the first Friday of the month.

This exhibit at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures examines history on a large scale, through exploration of cosmic, biological, and human origins. It is open weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from May 8 to August 26, 2012, and is free.

Mathers Museum hours are:
Tuesday-Friday: 9 am-4:30 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 1-4:30 pm