The Art of Travel

story by GLENDA WINDERS

Sometimes it’s fun to just get in the car and drive to wherever fortune takes you, but most people start from an organizing principle: Will it be visiting relatives, traveling to state parks, touring historic places? Next time consider Indiana’s wide-ranging art destinations. Discover the beauty in visual pieces and musical performances all over the state.

Maybe start in university cities, where you’ll be sure to find museums and galleries on campuses and beyond. Muncie, for example, is home to the David Owsley Museum of Art at Ball State University. When the five Ball brothers moved their company from Buffalo, New York, to Muncie in 1887, they immediately took an interest in their new hometown. In time, several of the Ball family’s private art collections would arrive at the gallery that would eventually become the Ball State University Museum of Art in 1991, then the David Owsley Museum of Art 20 years later. Here you’ll find a permanent collection that contains 11,000 works from all continents and spans 5,000 years of civilization along with traveling exhibitions. Mark your calendar for next spring, when the museum hosts the annual Art in Bloom, a spectacular event and exhibition incorporating innovative floral creations into the works in the galleries. The weekend features tours, activities, music, demonstrations, and more.

Purdue University Galleries in Lafayette offer art forms and exhibits that rotate throughout the year alongside the galleries’ permanent collections, while Purdue Convocations is among the oldest collegiate performing arts presenters in the United States, hosting 30 to 40 performances each year in every genre from jazz and chamber music to rock and country. Their vision is to promote exposure to and familiarity with human cultural expression in a multitude of forms and media.

While you’re in Lafayette, don’t miss the Haan Museum of Indiana Art, housed in a mansion that served as the Connecticut Building at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. The collection includes some of the best works by T.C. Steele and other painters along with ceramics, bronze and stone sculptures, and glass. The Arts Federation in the Wells Community Cultural Center promotes the role of arts across the region, providing educational opportunities, facilitating outreach programs for underserved communities and funding fellow arts organizations.

The city is also home to the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, where you can view exhibitions, enjoy free live music, and take classes. Enjoy live performances of musicals, comedies, and drama at the Civic Theatre, housed in the Historic Monon Depot Theatre, or visit the Long Center for the Performing Arts, home to the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, Purdue Bands, and the Long Center Theater Organ Society.

In Terre Haute, Indiana State University’s Department of Art and Design is home to three galleries — the Yang Family University Art Gallery, Turman Gallery and the Bare-Montgomery Gallery. Throughout the year you can see exhibits by students, faculty and notable national and international artists.

The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology offers rotating exhibits of local and regional artists in their Moench Hall Galleries and the prestigious Tri Kappa Art Collection in the John Logan Library. Throughout the campus are more than 100 paintings by Hoosier artists.

Also in Terre Haute is the venerable Swope Art Museum, just coming off a renovation that will make a visit to see their collection of American art even more exciting. And be sure to take in the Terre Haute Symphony, celebrating their 100th year in 2026.

The Gallery at Indiana University East in Richmond rotates exhibits frequently, which makes for nine different shows each year. Outdoor sculptures in open spaces on the campus make dramatic statements both up-close and from afar.

Also in Richmond you’ll find murals just about everywhere you look, many celebrating the city’s involvement with the Underground Railroad. The Museum of Overbeck Art Pottery preserves and displays pieces created by the six Overbeck sisters who produced their work between 1911 and 1955, and the Richmond Art Museum’s Permanent Collection will delight you with American Impressionist paintings, ceramic and decorative arts pieces, and a strong representation of Indiana artists.

Also not to miss is the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art on the Notre Dame campus, where you’ll find pieces by many of the most important masters from the 1700s to the present as well as photography. The gallery surrounds a sculpture court that reflects a global focus.

The remarkable Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University in Bloomington houses collections that represent nearly every artmaking culture, including pieces by Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock, in seven galleries. All of this resides in a building designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei.

In nearby Brown County explore Cox Creek Mill on 18 acres of land along Salt Creek. Brad Cox is the master welder who creates one-of-a-kind pieces of metal art in a historic two-story mill. In October, during the Brown County Backroads Studio Tour, many Nashville artists open their studios so that visitors can see them work and purchase their creations. Juried artisans, a true representation of the arts in Brown County, will share a special glimpse into the lives of working artists and craftsmen. The tour is a free, and this self-guided event is designed to showcase the arts and crafts created in the present-day “Art Colony of the Midwest.” Don’t miss the 100th Anniversary of the Brown County Art Gallery while you’re here.

The Art Sanctuary of Indiana in Morgan County is where you’ll find the working studios of nearly 20 resident artists and a monthly Open Studios Night on the second Friday of each month. Work here ranges from textiles to abstract painting to traditional oils, as well as a tattoo artist. Also in Martinsville is the recently opened Martinsville Entertainment Theatre, which hosts a variety of performances featuring live music and occasional comedy shows.

Madison has one of just 12 Indiana Cultural Districts, the 133-block National Historic Landmark District. This living museum is complemented by a walkable Public Art and Murals Tour that you can also explore by golf cart. The SPOT (Supporting People of Talent) is the place to meet artists and take in rotating exhibits of their work. And this year on September 26 and 27, Madison’s National Landmark Historic District will welcome thousands of visitors for the 55th Madison Chautauqua Festival of Art, an outdoor juried arts & crafts festival featuring 200 exhibitors. With 25 different artists’ mediums represented, there are treasures for everyone to find. Need something for the kids to do? Make a stop at the Little Picassos kids’ tent for some creative fun located in Art Park.

Farther on down the Ohio River is Harrison County, where Corydon, the state’s first capital, invites you to come to the Corydon Extravaganza, held on five days throughout the year. What started as a traditional antique show has added an art show, food trucks, and winery vendors.

Come in the fall for Glasstoberfest, coordinated by Zimmerman Art Glass. On October 16 and 17 you’ll be able to watch 20-plus artists demonstrate their craft as you enjoy German food, live entertainment, and activities for kids.

Speaking of glass, the Indiana Glass Trail links today’s artists and art glass related attractions throughout East Central Indiana, bringing together the tradition and beauty of glass art so you can experience it first-hand. From Muncie, Elwood and Anderson to Kokomo, Carmel and Fort Wayne, you’ll find artist studios, blown glass demos, museums, festivals, exhibits, classes and even the oldest art glass company in the United States.

Kokomo boasts a vibrant artistic community which collectively creates a rich and unique cultural experience. From a variety of public art, DIY opportunities, murals, indoor and outdoor galleries, sculptures and art markets, art experiences abound in Downtown Kokomo. Discover Artist Alley, a unique art alley open 24/7 with exhibits that change annually. Find large-scale sculptures, such as the quirky KokoMantis, and colorful murals painted on sides of historic buildings, many of which are perfect Instagram-worthy spots. Make your own piece of pottery art at Fired Arts Studio and purchase local handmade art at Artworks Gallery, Kokomo Farmers Market, and Radish Market & Cafe. Art is at the heart of downtown Kokomo but can also be found in many other places throughout the city.

Dubois County is where the music is. Arrive on Aug. 29 for the sixth annual Red, White, & Boots Music Festival with the band Ole 60 headlining the event. This same weekend, enjoy 4th Fridays–a free concert held in Market Street Park. Or plan your visit for September and catch the Ferdinand Folk Festival Sept. 19 with Hayley Payne, Candi Jenkins, and John Nemeth and the Blue Dreamers.

The Daviess County Museum in Washington contains artifacts gathered from every decade since the county begin and curated them into artful displays. The crown jewel is a completely re-created one-room schoolhouse. No wonder this place was named the Indiana Historical Museum of the Year in 2019. Then it’s on to the Indiana Theater. Built in 1926, idle for a time and then restored in 2012, this is still the go-to destination for first-run movies. If it’s plays and musicals you’d rather attend, however, head for the Veale Creek Theatre, where local thespians perform in a renovated schoolhouse to the delight of their audiences.

Art of many types can be discovered in Dearborn County. Marvel at huge murals depicting the area’s lifestyles such as the Whiskey City mural in Lawrenceburg and the horse-drawn fire wagon mural in Aurora. Fine art is also on display year-round at local galleries such as the Dearborn Highlands Art Council, the Dillsboro Arts Friendship Gallery, and the Southeastern Indiana Art Guild (SIAG). These galleries include paintings, sculptures, and photography. Be sure to also check out the annual SIAG Regional Art Competition in August as they feature art from Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

The state capital is always a likely place to look for art, and Indianapolis doesn’t disappoint. Newfields is the 152-acre cultural campus home to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Garden, The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park, Lilly House and the Madeline F. Elder Greenhouse. Newfields is one of the ten largest and oldest general art museums in the country, and it features works of art from the museum’s permanent collection and rotating exhibitions. Special exhibitions on view now are “Impressionism Across Generations: The Pissarro Family Legacy,” “BODY / BEYOND: Fashion That Transforms” and “The Message Is the Medium: Contemporary Art.”

Also in Indianapolis is BUTTER, a Labor Day weekend fine-art fair that features artwork made by Black visual artists from Indiana and around the world. Anchored in Indianapolis, BUTTER centers the care and economic viability of Black visual artists, serving as a new model for economic justice in the arts and a catalyst for career transformation.

Later in September it will be time for the nearby Carmel International Arts Festival, whose mission is “Educating the Community Through the Arts.” This juried two-day exhibition includes 100 to 140 professional artists working in nine mediums that range from jewelry and paint to glass, fiber and photography.

The arts draw people to Westfield in the form of colorful murals, including one of the city’s newer initiatives, the Artistic Bench Program. This program showcases vibrantly muraled benches throughout the city, celebrating local artists and enriching public spaces. While here, be sure and take in a show at the Basile Westfield Playhouse.

In Madison County, they showcase their creative culture with their Mural Trail, featuring over 40 colorful artworks placed across four communities – Anderson, Elwood, Pendleton and Alexandria. Each mural was envisioned by artists who celebrate the local community with big creativity. Map your own self-guided tour to visit each mural and share a selfie inspired by Madison County’s unique artistic flair.

The Delphi Opera House is a centerpiece of Carroll County. The theater first opened in 1855 and was renovated in 1995 with the décor as close to the original as possible. Today it hosts live performances and art-enrichment activities for children.

Jasper County can boast of some 50-plus murals on a variety of subjects throughout the area. For now, a downloadable map from the tourism commission will provide the path for a self guided tour. In the not-too-distant future mural passports will be available at the new Welcome Center.

Travel north to Westville on October 10 for Beale Pottery’s Rhythm + Raku Fest, where you can decorate your own raku pieces and watch them get fired up. There will also be five bands playing from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. along with food trucks.

The Chesterton Trackside Arts and Cultural District is a creative district that celebrates the area’s rich railroad history while anchoring the local fine arts scene. The hub is the Chesterton Art Center, which offers youth and adult classes, public murals and diverse exhibitions.

Throughout the district are sculptures and other markers to visually highlight its creative boundaries, and on Third Fridays the community comes together here for gallery receptions, workshops, live music, artisan shopping, and dining.

The Valparaiso Creative Council continues to grow Northwest Indiana’s creative community through public art initiatives, workshops, rotating exhibits, and events like the annual Mural Walk held August 22, connecting artists and audiences throughout the region. From quarterly Art & Innovation showcases in downtown Valparaiso, to satellite exhibits at Purdue University Northwest Hammond, VCC creates opportunities for emerging and established creatives to share their work while inviting the public to experience and participate in the arts.

Indiana Dunes Tourism, in partnership with the Chesterton Art Center, Art Barn School of Art, and Valparaiso Creative Council, has been developing a new Arts + Culture Trail highlighting approximately 15 nonprofit and higher education arts and cultural venues throughout Porter County. This free, gamified, self-guided experience will feature collectible postcards at participating locations and encourage visitors and residents alike to explore the region’s creative community and seek out more cultural experiences. Notable stops on the trail include the Memorial Opera House, 4th Street Theater, and Porter County Museum.

August 15 and 16 are the days for the Lubeznik Art Festival in Michigan City on the grounds of the Lubeznik Center for the Arts just steps away from Lake Michigan. More than 80 artists will be displaying their work, and there will also be food vendors, family activities, and indoor exhibitions. While you’re here, stop in at Abigail Hayden’s interior design studio, special because she integrates art from local creatives into her designs.

During this same timeframe you can take part in the Culver Paint Out held August 14 to 16 with some 40 artists. This multi-day event invites artists to paint landscapes “en plein air” across Culver and the lakefront. Activities include a public art sale at the Beach Lodge. This adorable lakeside town also has two prominent murals located along Lakeshore Drive; one depicts the historical steamboats of Lake Maxinkuckee, while another shows historical firefighting scenes.

Your next stop is the Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart, whose current rotating exhibits celebrate “America’s Promise” and the artistic heritage of Indiana. Other big draws in Elkhart are the summer quilt gardens, which bring together the creative disciplines of quilting, gardening and art, and the Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Note that summer season at Wellfield means enjoying Groovin’ in the Gardens featuring live performances. Wellfield closes for general admission at 5 p.m., gates open for the concert at 6 p.m., and music starts at 7 p.m.

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art is the repository for nearly 8,000 American paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints and photographs. The collection here includes art created after 1850 from notable artists such as George Inness, Alma Thomas, and Jasper Johns. Also here are special galleries for glass, sculpture, and Impressionism. Art Link, just across the street, is worth a visit. This place is special because it encourages artists and displays their work.

Shipshewana in LaGrange County hopes you’ll come by to see their more than two dozen colorful murals, many of them celebrating the local Amish community and the area’s agricultural heritage. More of that heritage is evident during the annual Giant Straw Bale Trail during the harvest season, this year September 1 to October 30. Also not to miss is the “I Love Shipshe” sculpture.