Destination Art

story by GLENDA WINDERS

A trip through Indiana will yield spectacular rolling hills, meandering rivers, pristine lakes, verdant state parks, and vibrant cities. But if you slow down and dig a little more deeply, you’ll find beauty at a whole new level in the form of public art for everyone to enjoy.

In Daviess County, for example, check out the Washington Mural at 107 E. Main St. Resembling an old-time postcard, the giant letters contain pictures of places to visit around the area. The piece was made possible by a grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corp., which also funded murals in Huntingburg and Jasper. This one was painted by artist Barb Stahl, who spent a month on the project. “People find a connection in public art,” Barb said. “Art enriches our lives. To have this welcome — “Greetings from Washington” — is wonderful for the community because it says, “We’re here. We’re not going anywhere.”

Dubois County also has its share of murals to show off. Twelve of them make up an area called the Art Loop in Jasper. Topics range from making memories and inclusivity to underwater fantasies and children at play. Look for murals in the post office and in the Art Loop crosswalks, as well, and don’t miss the inspiring 12-foot bronze statue, “Unbound Imagination,” which celebrates the influence of books on children’s lives.

Terre Haute has a vintage postcard mural like Washington’s, and it’s just one of more than 30 that decorate the city and illustrate its history. Look for animals, veterans, athletes, historic events, and more in these eye-popping pieces. While you’re here, plan to explore the Sculpture Trail at several locations throughout the city. Among them are the “ISU Sphere” on the Indiana State University campus, “Turn to the River” and “A Song for Indiana,” each of which celebrates life in Vigo County and brings the community together with art.

They’re doing the same thing in Jeffersonville, where the NoCo Arts and Cultural District —named for its location North of Court Avenue — is a colorful new point of interest. The walkable area is home to artists, makers, historians, and inventors who are working together to transform the area into an inspiring and intriguing place to live, work, and visit.

Madison is justifiably proud of its new “River’s Edge” sculpture in the Gateway to Madison area at the foot of the Milton-Madison Bridge. The dramatic 16-foot-tall piece was created by Indiana artist Beverly Stucker Precious with oxidized metal to represent Madison’s past and stainless steel to signify its future. Colorful pieces of dichroic glass change throughout the day, just as the river water appears to change with the ambient light.

The new Public Art and Murals Walking Tour will take you past the popular “Kindness” mural, “Untitled Pinball,” “Sandhill Crane” and more.

Along the way you’ll notice that every switchbox in the downtown area is covered with art that ranges from paintings to photography, and changes frequently. Make time to stop and enjoy the “Broadway Fountain,” a bronze copy of a 19th-century iron original made for the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition — one of only four in of its kind in the world and Madison’s most photographed icon.

Make plans to visit Columbus for this year’s Exhibit Columbus, a biennial event when architects and designers selected from around the globe create installations that complement the city’s rich architectural heritage. The opening festivities will happen the weekend of August 15 and 16, and the larger-than-life outdoor exhibits will be up until November 30.

Another not-to-miss mural trail is in Richmond, where they now have more than 100 for you to see — 11 brand-new just last year. Subjects include major people and events in Wayne County. The one on the side of the Firehouse BBQ & Blues restaurant includes a photo-op spot where you can join the painted firemen to make it seem as you are helping to rescue a cat from an upstairs window.

Murals have become a big draw in Madison County, where you’ll find 40 colorful artworks placed throughout four communities. Each mural was envisioned by artists who celebrate the local community with big creativity. Map your own self-guided tour and share a selfie inspired by Madison County’s artistic flair.

New Castle is the birthplace of Robert Indiana, the creator of the renowned LOVE sculpture, and the city proudly celebrates his contributions to art with the Robert Indiana Arts & Culture District.

Here you’ll find two replicas of his iconic LOVE sculpture, one in the Arts Park, another located in Murphey Park. Also in Murphey Park are other sculptures crafted in the artist’s distinctive style.

Come to Carmel September 27 and 28, and you’ll be just in time for the Carmel International Arts Festival being held in the Carmel Arts & Design District. Within the theme of “Educating the Community Through the Arts,” you’ll be able to view and purchase juried pieces from around the world in mediums that range from fiber, wood, glass, and ceramics to paintings, photography, jewelry, and 2-D and 3-D pieces. Food will be available for sale, and while you browse, you’ll be able to enjoy live music.

The 40+ acres of carefully designed gardens create the art at Muncie’s famed Minnetrista Museum with vibrant seasonal plantings, native prairie landscapes, tranquil sculpture gardens, and immersive exhibits. Its creators describe it as a living gallery where nature, creativity and community intersect by way of every kind of plant from roses to shrubs and trees, and the good news is that something is in bloom and on display here no matter when you come.

Minnetrista isn’t the only place where the canvas is a garden and the dots of paint are actually flowers. Until September 15, Elkhart’s Quilt Gardens will combine quilting and gardening into one-of-a-kind super-sized art pieces. Said to be the only experience of its kind in the world, these curated gardens will dazzle you as you drive through the communities of Bristol, Elkhart, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, Shipshewana, and Wakarusa.

Every year, the Quilt Gardens acknowledge Elkhart County’s heritage for exceptional quilt- making while also rendering gorgeous quilt patterns through the use of flowers and plants,” said Terry Mark, Elkhart County’s director of communications and public relations.

Greensburg bursts with vibrant murals in its ArtisTree District. Visitors can marvel at the colorful “Love Grows Here” and pose with Kelsey Montague’s interactive “#WhatLiftsYou” wings, and appreciate the charm of “Homegrown.” These artworks celebrate community spirit, agriculture, and creativity, making downtown Greensburg a must-visit for art enthusiasts.

Be sure to pick up or download the Public Art brochure in Lafayette because there is so much to see that you will miss some of it otherwise. You’ll find it all around town, some of it on the campus of Purdue University. Sculptures include “Artful Rail,” “Ash Tree Carving” and “Anatomy Vessel.” A mural titled “(Dis)Connect” depicts people who ignore one another in favor of their phones. “Asylum Seeker” is a photorealistic mural from which giant feet wearing hospital socks protrude.

Many of the murals are located in the Wabash Avenue Neighborhood which was the location of The Arts Federation’s first mural festival in 2018. Today the neighborhood is an arts destination with more than 50 pieces. In total, The Arts Federation’s mural program, Wabash Walls, has produced 151 murals spanning 14 counties in North Central Indiana.

And speaking of murals, don’t miss the RenArtWalk in Jasper County. Rensselaer’s population is just 6,000, but they have more than 60 painted public works by artists from around the world, and they serve as an example to other small cities that would like to do the same thing.

The new project in Crown Point is called “Wrapped in History,” which turns Indiana Department of Transportation traffic control boxes into canvases for paintings by a group of well-known artists from the past known as the Hoosier Group. The plan seeks to educate the community about these artists as it beautifies the downtown area and encourages people to spend more time there.

Plan to be in Porter County for the annual Chesterton Art Fair on August 2 and 3. The event is held in beautiful Dogwood Park with lots of shade and amenities. Some 90+ artists attend and compete for money prizes, and there are also food vendors and live music. The nominal entry fee supports students and future exhibitions and art-related activities. Also in Porter County is Art Blitz at Art Barn School of Art September 20, and Rhythm + Raku: A Celebration of Clay and Community at Beale Pottery October 11. And in downtown Valparaiso, the Mural Walk, held August 23, features multiple murals being painted at the same time.

Meanwhile, the Michigan City Arts District is the place to be for lovers of art and culture. This is the place to find outdoor art among the myriad shops, restaurants, and galleries. Look for the Sculptfusion installations that complement permanent sculptures and are switched out every other year to keep the exhibits fresh.

For a unique art experience, check out the Heroes Gallery/Arcade/Museum, also in Michigan City, where you’ll see original superhero comic art on display, statues, and more. This brand new attraction hopes to inspire and educate kids to adopt “heroic” qualities through their exciting 50-year collection/exhibit of superhero art and memorabilia.

Downtown Angola regularly adds public art to the landscape with four new sculptures each year. These are changed annually and give local and regional artists a chance to display their work around the quadrants of the historic square. The old Steuben County Courthouse is flanked by sculptures of the county namesake Baron Frederick von Steuben and Sojourner Truth, who gave a speech there in 1861. Imagine Alley and Birdsong Park are full of colorful sidewalks and furniture so that guests can truly soak in the art scene. Trine University’s T. Furth Center for Performing Arts also has added a variety of sculptures both inside and outside the center.

Brown County is celebrated as the “Art Colony of the Midwest,” a title rooted in its rich creative legacy that began in the early 1900s, when renowned Hoosier painter T.C. Steele settled in the rolling hills near Nashville. H is presence drew a wave of artists, establishing Brown County as a sanctuary for creativity and a hub for Indiana’s art scene.

Today, that legacy continues through an active arts community, galleries, and an expanding collection of public art installations and murals throughout the county. Additionally, each October, visitors are invited to go behind the scenes during the Brown County Studio Tour, a self-guided experience that allows art lovers to meet working artists in their studios, see live demonstrations, and purchase original pieces directly from the creators. And, this fall, the Brown County Art Gallery—one of the oldest art galleries in the Midwest—will launch its 100th anniversary celebration.

And while summer is the perfect time to enjoy outdoor art experiences, Indiana offers many indoor attractions for art enthusiasts as well. At the Fort Wayne Museum of Art, you’ll marvel at their seasonal and permanent displays and exhibits, curated with the goal of becoming the best nationally accredited art museum of their size. One popular exhibition is their Glass Wing, an expansive 3,000-square-foot space exhibiting a rotating glass collection. More than 100 pieces by international artists are featured.