True in Small Ways

True in Small Ways
Artwork by Catherine Baum-Newlin

July 30 - August 30, 2026
Opening Reception: 
First Friday Gallery Walk
August 7, 5-8:00pm

About the exhibit's title:
"... it is often something small [when practicing art], like a scrap of paper, a shape, or shade of color, or sliver of shadow against light, that catches our imagination - opening us to a larger expression." CBaum-Newlin

Artist Statement: 
“I enjoy watercolor, acrylics, oil, organic materials, linocut/hand print-making, collage, and general mark making with found objects. I am a little obsessed with marks, texture and patterns. A favorite activity for me is a daily practice of creating collage in a very small notebook.  The purpose is to just play with materials around me - letting the ‘shoulds’ float by and inviting the ‘what ifs’ to stay. Those small practices might find their way into more intentional collages or themed pieces

My current mantra is, "Life's too short not to -" So, engage! Go deep! Or as deep as tolerable, but "show up!' I feel practicing art helps us see 'beauty', meaning, and things that fee true sometimes in the smallest way. In a world where technology is ofttimes used to define humanity, I appreciate time with art practice to notice when something reaches in and touches our human soul.

Experiencing and engaging in an art practice is a way for me to identify as human. I'm not sure what that means in general, but for me in particular, it means realizing myself as part of a greater whole. Art practice coaxes me into noticing, thinking, and engaging."

Bio: 
Catherine Baum-Newlin is an emerging human who enjoys making art, music, and writing. Catherine is retired from being a special education teacher and an assortment of other things. She shapes her days toggling between an art practice, music practice as a violinist for the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, and joining in with writing friends from Women Writing for (a) Change. She lives with her geeky hobbyist astronomer husband, Michael, and cat, Luna.