Local visual artists and writers of all career levels and styles are encouraged to submit works celebrating the Roost (Bloomington's annual crow convergence), shoaling birds at dusk, the shift from fall to winter, and interpretations on the theme "community."

Submissions created with the use of generative A.I. at any stage of production will not be accepted.

Context:  Each year by mid-November, thousands of American crows converge in Bloomington to roost together in the evenings, indicating a shift to cooler temperatures and marking the turn of seasons. Like many today and before me, I look to the crows as divine teachers: vastly intelligent beings roosting to strengthen social bonds, sharing knowledge and the warmth of their huddled bodies. The Roost, as a symbol, demonstrates resilience in the collective. We must rely on each other to brave the coming storms.

Acknowledging that most holidays in the 'ber months no longer serve us (personally), my partner and I began to celebrate Roosting Day in 2021. Roosting Day is as much about revering the crows as it is about taking space to nurture our own imaginations. How might we challenge the powers that be while co-creating possibilities for the future that are rooted in care?

long live the Roost

"Even if the terrible day comes when all the other songbirds are gone, lost to the fiery world, crows will remain among us, living on what we leave behind."

–Margaret Renkl, The Comfort of Crows

Each year by mid-November, American crows flock to Bloomington by the thousands. They roost together in the evenings, indicating the shift to cooler temperatures and a turn of seasons in the southern-central Indiana uplands. Enamored by them, Jerome and I began to celebrate Roosting Day in 2021, making this year the fifth celebration. The Roost, as a symbol, demonstrates community and resilience. Crows are vastly intelligent beings; they roost to strengthen social bonds, sharing knowledge and the warmth of their collective bodies.

This inaugural Roosting Day Community Exhibition celebrates the Roost, the crow, other shoaling birds at dusk, and the transition into colder seasons. Other interpretations of the theme “community” were also accepted. I am thrilled by the variety of thoughtful works we received in response to this first call. If you missed the submission deadline this year, keep an eye out for the next call on Oct. 1, 2026!

Cheers,

Allyn

(Long live the Roost)