Art Activities and Community Involvement
Sheila Asbell Allen lives and works in Bloomington, Illinois, where she participates in many arts and community organizations. She frequently is asked to have her work part of art auction fundraisers. When she feels strongly about an organization and has an appropriate art work ready, she may participate in fundraisers. Here are some she has been included in recently:
- Easter Seals Art Auction
- Humane Society of Central Illinois Art Auction
- Miller Park Zoo Gala
- Artists Against Aids
- Mulberry School Art Auction
- Voice for Choice
- The Baby Fold
- Presbyterian Hurricane Relief Fund
- Boys and Girls Club -- Toy Box Auction
- McLean County Arts Center Holiday Treasures Show
- Friends of the Arts postcard exhibition for the Illinois State University College of Fine Arts
Allen has been accepted to have her work shown at the Sugar Creek Arts Festival in Normal, Illinois. She also occassionally sells smaller pieces at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers’ Market and Artists’ Alley.
Allen has participated in annual holiday open houses which she organizes with fellow artists. She has participated in Open Studio/Houses with Linda Isaacson-Healy, Joann Goetzinger, and Martha Burk as well as Open Houses with Gayla Davis Betts.
Allen has work has beenaccepted in many Themed Group Shows at The McLean County Arts Center in Bloomington, Illinois. These have include
- “Self-Portraits”

- “Collage”
- "...and i am blue..."
- “Recycled”
- “Postcards from the Edge”
- “Forgery”
- “So Square”
- “Dorothy’s Red Shoes”
- “Summertime”
Sheila judged the 80th annual amateur art competition-exhibition at The McLean County Arts Center of downtown Bloomington, Illinois.
For many years Sheila and her husband Les Allen, who is also an artist, owned the Paintin' Place Art Supply Store in downtown Normal. She participated in the store's Art Open Houses and in Downtown Normal Art Walks. She also has taught watercolor classes through Paintin' Place.

