Art Galleries

from Travel Indiana Spring Issue 2022

Public Art in Columbus

Visitors to downtown Kokomo will experience public art in several mediums, including nine large-scale pieces on their Sculpture Walk. PHOTO: Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau

encourages a visit with prizes through its Public Art Trail Challenge. “We have seen firsthand just how valuable art is in the community by bringing people together,” says Laura Rothhaar of the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Public Art Trail in Fort Wayne, with more than 150 pieces of art, also offers a mobile-friendly option with the opportunity to win prizes. Jessa Campbell of Visit Fort Wayne says the public art scene “has blossomed into a force of diversity, artistry, and inspiration, in the heart of downtown and off the beaten path.”

The Kokomo Sculpture Walk features nine large-scale sculptures located along downtown trails. A selfguided tour with information on each piece of art and artist is on the Visit Kokomo mobile app.

Within 11 days in 2020, 11 murals were created in 11 different northeast Indiana counties. It’s known as the Make It Your Own Mural Trail.

In Logansport, the Pop-Up Art and History Trail will lead visitors on a self-guided tour throughout downtown. Along the way, you’ll see and experience nearly twenty statues, beautiful murals, and more while learning about the community’s history and attractions.

Consider the REN ART WLK in Renssealer, Sixth Street Arts

Alley in Columbus, NoCo Arts and Cultural District in Jeffersonville, Art Walk at the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center in Porter, Sculpture Trails Outdoor Museum in Solsberry, B&O Trail Tunnel in Brownsburg. Alleys in Kokomo, Elkhart, Goshen, Angola and Franklin have become art galleries.

LEFT: The Kindness Matters mural in Madison is a colorful, 180-foot painting located in the Mulberry Street parking area. PHOTO: Visit Madison, Inc.

INDIANA STATE FAIRGROUNDS

Indiana Artisan Marketplace

Join the excitement when the Indiana Artisan Marketplace returns April 2-3 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Known as Indiana’s premier art and food experience, the Marketplace lets you meet more than 100 artists, see their exceptional work, watch them create, taste their foods, sample their wines and buy the best in Hoosier craftsmanship.

www.indianaartisan.org/spring-marketplace or info@indianaartisan.org

NORTH VERNON

Classic Stained Glass & Gift Gallery, Inc.

250 E. Hoosier St. North Vernon, IN 47265

812-346-4527 888-484-5277 classicstainedglassshop.com

Discover the beauty and craftsmanship of our custom stained glass creations for your home decor or anyone on your gift list. We also restore beautiful stained glass windows to enhance the beauty of your church, home or business. IU fans? We’re licensed to make customized IU stained glass. Classes and glass supplies are available for any DIY crafter.

In Huntington county, their public mural project is growing from their initial participation in the 2020 “Make It Your Own Mural Trail.” Be sure and check out local artist America Carrillo’s work at 35. W. Market Street in Huntington.

For a small city, Rensselaer has a large public arts culture with over 50 murals in its historic downtown. There are growing mural collections throughout the region in Remington, Demotte, and Fowler, making this a trip worth a Sunday drive. Many of the murals are curated by Cameron Moberg of San Francisco who returns annually to inspire public art projects in the region. Each July, the Prairie Arts Council hosts Art in the Alley, a celebration of the city murals with tours, live music, and free art projects. This year Art in the Alley is July 23rd.

Art is up, down, everywhere. On utility control boxes in Muncie, Wabash and Valparaiso; sidewalks in Lafayette; a water tower in Jeffersonville; silos in Greencastle, even in roundabouts in Carmel. For years visitors have been able to become the “I” in Indy; now they can also become the “I” in Brazil. Indiana, of course.

Tetia Lee, chief executive officer of The Arts Federation in Lafayette, says public art can create meaningful impact that improves quality of life, community and economic development, workforce, and tourism. She says it’s “diverse, accessible, and world-class.” Lafayette and West Lafayette have more than 165 pieces of public art. One neighborhood,

There are more than 50 murals in historic downtown Rensselaer. PHOTO: Prairie Arts Council

Wabash Avenue, has transformed more than 50 blank spaces “into professional pieces of art that are dynamic in theme, diversity, and subject matter. Wabash Walls exemplifies how public art can create identity and engage community.”

So pick a city. Contact the visitors bureau. Ask for a map of public art. And then enjoy.