NM artist honored

French-Deal’s work among pieces selected for display at Statehouse

By Amanda Redman aredman@thepaperofwabash.com

“The Tall Ship,” by North Manchester artist Penny French-Deal is one of 29 art pieces selected in the 2023 Hoosier Women Artists awards.

Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and Indiana Arts Commission announced the awards at a celebration March 29 in Indiana Statehouse, where many of the selections will be on display throughout the year.

Honored artists’ pieces will be displayed in the offices of Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Auditor of State Tera Klutz, Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner and Chief Justice Loretta Rush.

“It is amazing to annually honor many of the state’s outstanding female artists,” said Lt. Gov. Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. “I am very proud to play a role in highlighting Hoosier Women Artists by showcasing their artwork in my own office year after year. Every time someone visits my office, I get to share with them that the artwork displayed on the walls was created by talented women from across the state. We are blessed to work in this stunning building every day, and the opportunity to display their art makes it somehow even more beautiful.”

Several pieces will also be displayed by First Lady Janet Holcomb at the Governor’s Residence.

“The Hoosier Women Artists Exhibition is a great opportunity to celebrate and meet talented and creative women who live right here in Indiana,” said First Lady Janet Holcomb. “Each year, I look forward to selecting a few pieces to display in the Governor’s Residence for all our visitors to enjoy. The artists generously loan the pieces for one year, and I grow quite attached, making it difficult to let them go.”

Pieces the 2023 exhibition include paintings, photography, digital art, paper quilling and other multimedia styles.

This is the sixth time one of French-Deal’s pieces have been selected in the state program. Previous selections were chosen in 2009, 2016, 2019, 2020 and 2022.

“I have entered previously but not every year,” said French-Deal. “It’s nice to be appreciated. It’s been a good journey.”

French-Deal’s oil-on-Belgian-linen painting of a ship on Lake Michigan was chosen from 230 submissions in the program that began in 2008 to encourage and expand opportunities for womanmade artwork in Indiana communities.

“The Tall Ship” was inspired by photo she took several years ago in Chicago at Navy Pier, explained French-Deal who describes her painting style as an “impressionistic interpretation of Continued on Page 3.