Of all the things for which Brown County is known — rolling hills, unique businesses, delicious restaurants, welcoming atmosphere — perhaps one of the most iconic is the very foundation on which this county was built: art.
Visitors and locals can celebrate and embrace the creative roots of Brown County from Sept. 13-15 at Art Colony Weekend, with a wide variety of events taking place all over the county.
The Brown County Art Guild, 48 S. Van Buren St., will offer workshops and host a cocktail party and an auction.
The weekend will begin with instruction from artists Wyatt LeGrand and Larry Rudolech on Friday, Sept. 13, where artists of all styles and skill levels can paint on location in the natural surroundings of a picturesque property south of Nashville, to be disclosed upon registration. A picnic lunch will be provided.
Creativity will continue to flow through the weekend, with an opportunity for artists to win a spot on the guild’s own gallery walls.
Artists of all skill levels and mediums are welcome to paint on location at the oldest plein air painting competition in Indiana. Roam the grounds of T.C. Steele State Historic Site, 4220 T.C. Steele Road, and find the perfect subject for a painting or sketch at the 31st annual Great Outdoor Art Contest. Artwork will be judged beside the Formal Garden and awards for child and adult categories will be announced in the afternoon.
The public is welcome to come and watch the artists as they create, get a first look at the new Singing Winds Visitors Center, enjoy food from Johnny’s Grub to Go and catch an outdoor concert with music by Stephen and Nancy Dickey.
The works of the winning artists will be featured and displayed at the Brown County Art Guild.
After the paint-out at T.C. Steele, visitors can make their way back to the guild for the Founders Cocktail Party.
Art enthusiasts can enjoy a cocktail party and sneak a peek at the rare works by guild founders — many pieces from private collections — and new works available for purchase by current guild members.
Paintings from the estates of four former guild members, Robert Hoffman, Roger Merkel, Rob O’Dell and Wayne Waldron, will be featured.
Not only will there be artwork on display and for sale, but guests may enjoy a catered appetizer buffet and music by the Amanda Webb Band.
All proceeds will benefit the Brown County Art Guild. Advance ticket purchases for the evening festivities are required.
The creative weekend does not end with the Saturday paint-out. Sunday brings another opportunity for artists to gather and create.
Sponsored by the Art Alliance Brown County, locals and visitors alike are encouraged to come out to the Community Paint Together and contribute their representations of Brown County to a 4-by-8-foot mural at the Tilton corner of the Village Green, at Main and Jefferson streets. Paints and brushes will be available for patrons to stop in and add their artistic flair to the mural that will be exhibited at different venues throughout the fall.
Art Colony Weekend will conclude with a public auction at the Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St. Jackson’s Auctions and Real Estate will oversee the second annual event, which helps to fund the annual operations of the Brown County Art Guild. Selected artwork from private collections as well as from guild member artists will be for sale.
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Upper Schooner Open Air Workshop
- When: Friday, Sept. 13, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cost: member, $220.50; nonmember, $245.
- Registration: 812-988-6185 or bcartguildshop.com/education.
31st Annual Great Outdoor Art Contest
- When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: T.C. Steele State Historic Site, 4220 T.C. Steele Road.
- Registration: tcsteele.org/calendar/great-outdoor-art-contest.
Founders Cocktail Party
- When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 6 to 9 p.m.
- Where: Brown County Art Guild, 48 S. Van Buren St.
- Cost: $25 per individual, $40 per couple.
- Registration: 812-988-6185 or bcartguildshop.com/founders-cocktail-party.
Community Paint Together
- When: Sunday, Sept. 15, noon to 3 p.m.
- Where: Tilton corner of Village Green, at the corner Main and Jefferson streets.
- Cost: Free
Art Colony Weekend Annual Auction
- When: Sunday, Sept. 15, 1 to 4 p.m.
- Where: Brown County History Center, 90 E. Gould St.
- Information: 812-988-6185 or browncountyartguild.org.
