Art Supply Drive!!

This year marks seven years that Bloomington Handmade Market has been able to promote and celebrate our independent makers in Bloomington. From our humble beginnings upstairs at the Waldron to taking over the Convention Center, BHM has certainly come a long way! And none of that would be possible without the constant and undying support of our local community - our sponsors - our guests - our makers - our buyers. We are eternally grateful for the support we've received from our community - and now, it's our turn to give back. Our turn to help young makers get the supplies they need to let their dreams shine through, to let them work through the complications in their lives through art.

This year we've partnered up with a volunteer-run Youth Art Club through The Rise - the transitional housing program of Middle Way House.  Middle Way House seeks to end violence in the lives of women and children by implementing or sponsoring activities and programs aimed at achieving individual and social change. Middle Way offers many award winning programs and services to women and children victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including crisis intervention, emergency and transitional housing, support services, legal advocacy, child care, economic development activities, and community outreach. One of these services is the Youth Art Club that releases the creative potential of resident youth, building their self-esteem and modeling respectful relationships. Until now, their art supplies have been provided by their volunteer/sponsor/teacher alone. It's our goal at BHM to aid in providing supplies for these girls. 


Below you will find a wish list for the supplies necessary for the Art club to run throughout the summer. If you could bring just one item off the list - you would be making a difference. More than you can know. Creating, making, exploring is sometimes the key to recovery and acceptance. Let's help make their summer art program a possibility. 


You can bring your donation to the BHM on May 2 from 10a-5pm. There will be a receptacle to place your donation in front of Gather - in Suite 112. 


Wish List for Art Supply Drive!!

Blank canvases- all sizes
Acrylic Paints
Nylon Paint Brushes- all sizes
Composition Books
Sharpies
Stickers
Sewing Needles
Collage Ephemera
Thread
Metal pin backs
Fleece
Wood
Craft Circles for Buttons
Felt
Good scissors
Modge Podge
Picture frames- 5x7
Solid fabrics, white sheets
Plain tote bags
Black fine line markers
Fabric Paint
Drawing papers
Crafting wire
Polyfill
Plain T-shirts- S-M-L
Working sewing machine