Background Information

HISORY
Back in 1870, a woman named Horace Smith collected a group of students and created a studio
for oil painting. In 1888, a few of her students were told to organizat the Bloomington Art
Association. During this period, a group of women from the Women’s Club expressed an interest
in art through the community.
The Bloomington Arts Assoication issued a charter to rejuvenate the arts on April 6, 1922. The
purpose of this was “to cultivate an appreciation of arts in all of its branches, and to encourage
civic improvements.”
After the roof collapsed in Withers Library, the McLean County Arts Center began functioning
at 210 E. Washington Street in Bloomington. Art classes were offered for adults and children
when it opened. To add, the Sales and Rental Gallery were added to the Arts Center
programming.
The Town of Normal officially designed an agency in 1991, and by the City of Bloomington, as
well as McLean County in 1992.
Currently the Arts Center puts on 12 exhibitions per year, including the annual Holiday
Treasures exhibition and the Amateur Competition. This competition showcases young artist’s
creations for over 80 years.
McLean County Arts Center offers art classes, artist lectures, art workshops for both youth and
adults. The Bloomington-Normal community can also purchase artwork through the Sales
Gallery. The McLean County Arts Center encourages and promotes the appreciation, study,
cultivation, development, and practice of the Arts in McLean County.
STAFF

Doug Johnson is an Illinois State alum who received his

master’s degree in Studio Arts. He also earned a Master of
Fine Arts in painting from Northern Illinois University.
He is on the executive board of Arts Alliance Illinois and
used to be the president of the Rotary Club.
Doug is a practicing artist; whose paintings are in many
private and public collections across the county.
 Maggie Morton (Kunze) earned her BFA in Painting from
Illinois State University in 2016. She is an artist, writer and
poet.
Maggie serves as the Director and Editor of Sight Specific,
which is an online publication that highlights critical writing on
art programming in Central Illinois, as well as Regional Editor
for Sixty Inches From Center.

Carmel Rhoda is McLean County Arts Center’s office manager.

She oversees membership and booking responsibilities.
She enjoys being involved in the local arts community and
attends local shows and festivals frequently.
Carmel is a graduate of Illinois State University with a
Bachelors in Sociology.

Justin Hay is an ISU alum who received a Bachelor of Fine Arts

with a focus in ceramics. He started off as an intern that climbed
his way to the title of Project Coordinator.
His focus is Artist Festivals, but also plays a hand in many other
events for the McLean County Arts Center.
Justin continues his artwork by utilizing the MCAC Ceramics
Studio.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shawn Gravelle President; Julia Davis, Vice President; Dan Galvin, Treasurer; Secretary;
Alexis Kalish, At-Large; Sally Berry, Anita Carney, Gay Dolan, Susie Vincent, Ruth Ann
Friedberg, Sue Ge, Carol Koos, Kevin Kuebler, Sheila Lamberson, Jared Lacey, Mike
McNeil, Michele Peterson, Deb Risberg, Rashod Taylor, and Linda Willis Fisher.