Twenty-two Hoosier artists are celebrating after being juried into one of the biggest art shows Indiana Heritage Arts of Nashville has held in recent years.
The 42nd IHA Exhibition and Sale, now open to the public, includes 120 works of art. Again this year, $20,000, the richest art show purse in Indiana, went to 22 artists winning prizes for their creations.
Winner of the Gold Prize and $5,000 is Tom Woodson’s “Steve’s Old Barn.” The prize is dedicated to the late John R. Rardon by Sarah and John Lechleiter.
Second prize, the Silver Award and $3,000 was awarded to Carol Strock-Wasson whose pastel is titled “Winchester Barn.” The prize was awarded by the Howard F. Hughes Legacy Fund for Brown County. The late Howard Hughes was a patron of the arts in Brown County.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]The Bronze third-place prize and $2,000 was given to C.W. Mundy, an Indianapolis artist. The oil is titled, “The Angelique, Sailing Out of Camden.” The award is in memory of the late Bradley D. Hirst by his wife, Zee Hirst.
The show at the Brown County Art Gallery, corner of Main and Artist Drive, is open daily until closing Saturday, Nov. 14. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. All works are for sale.
No reservations are needed but social distancing and masking will be observed in the gallery.
Jim Ross, longtime chairman of the exhibition, now in its 42nd year, said, ”Our group is dedicated to serving artists, and since artists suffer disproportionately more during difficult times, we were determined to move forward with our annual exhibition.
“The artists were enthusiastic to participate, and they entered many beautiful works in a variety of subjects and mediums,” he added.
The IHA also purchases a major work out of the exhibition every year, and this year’s Directors’ Purchase Award is an especially timely painting, Ross said.
That award went to Dan Bulleit for his oil painting, “Blue Angel.” It depicts an exhausted nurse in blue scrubs leaning against a wall with a mask dangling from her fingers.
The painting will join 19 other artworks owned by IHA and will be on permanent display following the show.
All of the artwork will be available for viewing and purchase on the Brown County Art Gallery’s website this year, IndianaHeritageArts.org, which will be a first for IHA.
Indiana Heritage Arts, a not-for-profit organization, is dedicated to encouraging today’s Hoosier artists carrying on the rich tradition begun by the pioneer artists of the early 1900s in Brown County, said Michael Fulton, IHA president.
IHA board members logged in more than 350 works of art from 120 artists over the last two weeks, Fulton added.
This year’s judge was Mark Ruschman, the senior curator of art and culture at the Indiana State Museum. Curator since 2012, Ruschman is also in charge of all exhibitions at every historic site in the state. He travels Indiana as a guest lecturer.
An additional prize of $500 will be awarded by Michael Fulton and Judith Stewart to the People’s Choice winner. Gallery visitors may vote for their favorite artwork. The winner will be announced at the end of the show.
IHA maintains a space within the gallery to display works of art by its member artists. IHA also helps support a spring art show for students from area counties and awards prizes to teachers.
Since 2014, IHA has purchased outstanding art works for its permanent collection. The collection is on view in three public places: the Brown County Community Foundation and the gallery in Nashville, and the lobby and library of the West Baden Springs Hotel in West Baden. IHA also sponsors a paint-out on a summer weekend for Hoosier artists on the hotel veranda and gardens.
For information: IndianaHeritageArts.org, [email protected] and 812-988-4609.
Annual exhibition and sale happening
Indiana Heritage Arts Annual Exhibition and Sale opened to the public Saturday, Oct. 24 with more than 100 artworks on display at the Brown County Art Gallery, 1 Artist Drive. All pictures are for sale.
The IHA, celebrating its 42nd year, encourages Hoosier artists working in the tradition of the Brown County Art Colony founded by T.C. Steele, dubbed the “father” of the rich art heritage begun in the early 1900s in Brown County.
Some 300 works will be juried by a professional artist/judge. Finalists will be eligible for more than 24 awards amounting to $20,000.
The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The show ends Saturday, Nov. 14.
For more information visit indianaheritagearts.com or call 812-322-7914.
